CoFSA

The Conscious Food
Systems Alliance (CoFSA)

Inner Capacities for Regenerative Food Systems

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"I used to think that the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy... And to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation."
Gustave Speth, former Chair of the United Nations Development Group
"We cannot solve our biggest problems if we do not come together. It is not only about institutions or processes. It is in the first instance about our mindsets."
António Guterres, Secretary-General United Nations
"There are many changes to make over the next 10 years, and each of us will take different steps along the way, but all of us start the transformation in one place: our mindset."
Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
"Creating regenerative systems is not simply a technical, economic, ecological or social shift: it has to go hand-in-hand with an underlying shift in the way we think about ourselves, our relationships with each other and with life as a whole."
Daniel Christian Wahl, ​Author of Designing Regenerative Cultures (2016)​
"Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us."
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Author of Braiding Sweetgrass
“There are no great things, only small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa
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Purpose

The Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA), convened by UNDP, is a movement of food, agriculture, and consciousness practitioners united around a common goal: to support people from across food and agriculture systems to cultivate the inner capacities that activate systemic change and regeneration.

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Our rationale for action

How can we unlock food systems transformation, to nourish all people and regenerate the planet?

Food connects us with one another, our cultures and our planet. But rather than nourishing global health and wellbeing, food systems remain at the heart of the social and environmental crises we face. Despite massive investment and effort toward transforming food systems, our policy and technical solutions aren’t delivering the necessary impact. At a pivotal moment, we must re-examine the origins of our crises, and the barriers to transformation.

Since October 2020, UNDP has worked towards this aim, with a diverse range of stakeholders to design and convene the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA).

The vision of the Alliance is anchored in the realization that the current failure of food systems to deliver food for human and planetary flourishing calls for innovative approaches that address the structural barriers to transformation and activate deeper levels of change. We have the science, technical capacity and technological tools; however, these external solutions are not delivering the impact needed.

To transform food systems, we must work not only on policy, research and project implementation, but also on the inner drivers of individual, collective and institutional behaviours. Increased connection to ourselves, each other and nature can activate the transformative qualities and skills needed to support the transition to regenerative food systems.

Integrating inner capacity building with ongoing investment in technical solutions can unlock widespread transformation towards more regenerative systems.

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Inner capacities: activating change from the inside out

CoFSA builds on the understanding that an increased sense of connection to ourselves, others and nature as well as related cognitive, emotional and relational qualities such as self-awareness and presence, emotional awareness, capacity to listen deeply, empathy, openness, creativity, and  resilience hold the key to deeper and more long-lasting change.

CoFSA puts forward the cultivation of these inner capacities – our individual and collective mindsets, values, and skills – as a key approach, working alongside technical solutions, to activate the adaptation, implementation, and sustained impact of transformative solutions.

CoFSA applies consciousness approaches into technical solutions to support the cultivation and consideration of inner capacities. Consciousness approaches include a vast range of contemplative, psychological and relational practices – such as mindfulness, compassion training, nature connection, emotional awareness, self-reflection and non-violent communication,- which actively support individual, collective and institutional transformations.

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OUR WORK

convening and pioneering

CoFSA supports people from across food and agriculture systems to cultivate the inner capacities that activate systemic change and regeneration by:

Convening a Community of Practice and Learning

CoFSA brings together an intentional community of peers supported by a collaborative digital platform  where individuals and organizations can connect, learn and exchange knowledge, support and inspire each other, and collaborate to build conscious food systems.

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Pioneering the application of consciousness approaches and practices

CoFSA members apply consciousness approaches and practices across food systems, through a global portfolio of interventions supported by an incubator, including the delivery of trainings, coaching and facilitation services, supported by research and learning frameworks.

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JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Read our Manifesto, which sets out our thinking – it’s a call to reconnection and collaboration for all food and agriculture stakeholders willing to explore the potential of consciousness approaches.

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It is an invitation to  join the movement, and our vibrant community of conscious food practitioners supporting each other, sharing learning and inspiration, and innovating together.

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COFSA Manifesto Video

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