How can we spread sustainable food and agroecological practices by connecting dozens of funders, networks, and movements?
The global population is growing at an unprecedented rate – while the environment is rapidly changing. As a result, our food systems are facing immense pressure.
Food sovereignty empowers communities to define their own food systems, ensuring local needs and cultural diversity are prioritized. Agroecological practices, meanwhile, mitigate the environmental impact of industrial agriculture, enable and support small-scale farmers and enterprises, and preserve our planet's resources for future generations.
This is what we aim to do in our inaugural "food sovereignty obstacle course".
Through combining our vast pools of knowledge, resources, capacities, and reach, we can share critical lessons learned, co-design innovative solutions, identify ways to scale and increase reach, and generate actionable strategies that propel us towards more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems worldwide.
We invite all network and movement leaders, funders, and coordinators passionate about sustainable and just food systems to join us in this transformative obstacle course. Through participating, you will:
Amazing leaders advocating for change to our food systems through networks and movements around the globe:
You've browsed the workshops zone, attended the wellbeing lounge, mingled in the pitch tent – and as you're about to depart the festival grounds, the corner of your eye happens to catch a colorful obstacle course to you right. It looks challenging, enticing. There are prizes just for trying. You read the rules: for groups only. But you came to the festival alone. You look around – are there others you can ask to join the obstacle course with you?
At the Networks Festival, our obstacle courses bring together movements, networks, and funders who don't know each other for:
Embark on a month-long journey filled with connection, curiosity, and play bringing together thousands of changemakers, funders, conveners, companies, and governments to explore the power of networks to transform our world.
As you step into the festival grounds, you'll be greeted by a buzzing atmosphere of excitement and innovation. Everywhere you look, there are people eagerly discussing the latest breakthroughs in network theory, sharing stories of how networks have changed their lives and communities, and dreaming up new ways to harness the power of connections.
Leveraging the power of lived experience, we will strengthen our collective practice, directly increase funding opportunities for networks, and foster new collaborations to scale innovations and amplify transformational impact on the lives of billions around the world.
Whether you're a seasoned networker, curious changemaker, or philanthropist interest in "doing things differently" – there's something for everyone at the Networks Festival. Join us!