
Mobilizing money and movements: Creative finance for food systems transformations
This report explores creative financing strategies for transforming food systems. Through six case studies, it showcases levers of change for transformational investing, including blended finance, shared ownership, and diverse investment types. The report emphasizes community engagement and local food production to build sustainable and resilient food systems.
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OVERVIEW
Levers of change for transformational investing
The case studies illustrate the power of diverse investment types to finance food systems transformation. By sourcing financing from investors committed to ESG criteria, sustainable food practices, and aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, these initiatives have secured funding that ensures both financial and environmental returns in the long run. One such example is Sylva Food Solutions in Zambia, which has successfully raised capital through fair payment to producers and investment in professional training and teaching.
Shared characteristics for building food systems enterprises
The report emphasises the importance of community engagement in building sustainable and resilient food systems. The case studies demonstrate the power of organisations that work in accordance with principles of cooperative ownership, participatory governance models and inclusive approaches. The case of Organically Grown Company in the United States, which accommodated five stakeholder groups in the benefits and structure of its business, provides an example of a successful shared ownership strategy that allowed for the growth and development of the business in a responsible way.
Creative finance strategies for food systems transformation:
To achieve maximum impact for social and environmental good, finance and donor communities need to align their missions and investments. The report argues that expanding investments in ESG criteria can enable, support and catalyse initiatives that bring fair, environmentally sound and inclusive returns for all. In particular, blended finance approaches, such as those taken by the Municipality of Copenhagen and the Pun Pun Center for Self-Reliance where budgeting, self-sufficiency, and circular economy is implemented, have been successful in decreasing dependence on funding sources and creating a self-reliant system.
Methodology
The report illustrates how examples of what is possible and how things can be done differently are essential to guiding positive action. More importantly, initiatives that bring multiple returns, including social, financial, and environmental, can enhance the sustainability and long-term growth capacity of food system transformation.
Key Messages
The report highlights the value of securing diverse sources of finance for food systems transformation, embracing shared ownership models with principles of participatory governance and inclusive approaches, engaging with movements, promoting agroecological approaches and principles, investing in skills development, transitioning to circular and solidarity economies, and efficient use of capital.
In summary, this report provides valuable insights into how financial investment, coupled with sustainable and committed business practices, can create positive impact in the food systems. By showing how these practices are achieved through creative finance strategies, the report provides inspiration for financing food systems transformation to ensure their sustainability and resilience.