July CIP Global Checkpoint

Recapping the Collective Impact Program's Global Checkpoint

Thank you all who joined us to learn from the five host teams of the Social Gastronomy Movement's Collective Impact Program (CIP). In this 90-minute call, we were able to accompany (virtually) the journey of the teams taking us to Mertola, Portugal; Medellin, Colombia; Twin Cities, USA; Nepal, and Chile.

CIP emerged as an idea at the very first SGM Summit in 2018. Initially named 'Hubs' which were physical spaces, the program has evolved into something much deeper, focusing on changing how we work together toward food systems transformation.

Over the past year, the members have been working on ' bringing the system into the room' and facilitating participatory processes toward food security and equity in their local food systems. From the urgent need to transform a scarce ecosystem to one of abundance to the desire to change social realities constructed over centuries of oppression, the motives behind each team coming together are diverse. Despite their geographical, linguistic, and even levels of operation differences, they are all united in a commitment to a spirit of "doing with, not for," those of lived experience of insecurity and inequity and a willingness to move from the dominant way of doing things to an alternative.

Creating the social conditions for authentic collaboration, challenging dominant power dynamics, and building trust between stakeholder groups is no easy feat. It requires inviting those who traditionally hold power to the same table as those who often are left on the margins. It entails a very skilled practice in convening and facilitating community conversations.

The focus on CIP Plenums challenged each host team to convene in a way that led to the emergence of Multistakeholder Action Teams (MSATs). Since the first Plenum, held in Chile in May, there have been 18 MSATs focused on topics ranging from engaging youth in policy advocacy to short food supply chains.

It is a proud moment for everyone involved to see how many crucial stakeholders have come together, connected, built trust, and formed networks that will lead to transformational change. As Kiu Coates, SGM-CIP Collaboration & Facilitation Coach, put it in perspective for those of us on the call,

"As you have noticed, all of the host teams in this CIP host teams have gotten up to the point where multistakeholder action teams are born. We are still yet to see what will come out of those MSATs That's not a coincidence. The focus of this program has been on how these MSATs emerge, ensuring that it does emerge by a cross-sector community naming their needs. Making sure the process doing with and not for the people with lived experience of food security and inequity, including them as integral partners in decision making."

Thank you again to our host teams for learning and growing in this program along with us. We look forward to seeing and supporting what is to come from all of the seeds you have planted.