Is Big Bet Philanthropy Capable of Scaling Food Systems Transformation?

4 September 2024. IFAD Innovation Talk 17: Is Big Bet Philanthropy Capable of Scaling Food Systems Transformation?

This Innovation Talk explored innovations and strategies to transform global food systems and delve into how philanthropic partnerships and investments can be mobilized for systems change. Leading representatives from foundations and philanthropic organizations discussed how they are using these strategies to better leverage resources and focus on proven results to end hunger, achieve food security and ensure climate resilience.

• Alvaro Lario, President, IFAD
• Tonya Allen, President, McKnight Foundation 
  Tonya emphasized the transformative potential of “big bet philanthropy” in rural development and food systems. She stressed the importance of co-designing solutions with local communities, particularly farmers, and highlighted that financial resources alone aren’t enough. True impact requires rewriting financial systems and empowering those closest to the challenges. Allen advocated for disrupting traditional practices in philanthropy and ensuring that investments are driven by genuine intentions and collaboration, ultimately aimed at sustainable, equitable outcomes.
• Sonia Medina, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer & Executive Director, Climate Change, Children's Investment Fund Foundation 
  Sonia emphasized the urgent need for “big bets” in philanthropy to address the significant disparities in agricultural subsidies versus climate financing for agriculture and called for collective action to create lasting systemic change. She outlined three key points: 1. Unite diverse perspectives to create a shared vision for food systems aligning nutrition and climate goals. 2. Encourage diverse agriculture to reduce reliance on large-scale livestock. 3. Collaborate to reform harmful subsidies, ensuring support for sustainable agriculture
• Masego Madzwamuse, Director of the Environment Programme, Oak Foundation 
  Masego pointed out that beyond focusing on increasing production, it’s essential to improve the quality of life and ensure the self-representation of small-scale farmers. She highlighted the disparities in how philanthropic resources are distributed, with far less flexible funding reaching the Global South, and called for a rebalancing of resource flows. 
• Anna Lappé, Executive Director, Global Alliance for the Future of Food
  Anna emphasized the need for philanthropy to play a key role in scaling sustainable food systems. She highlighted that food systems are major contributors to both climate change and biodiversity loss, and urgent transformation is required.
• Ron Thomas Hartman, Director, Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization, IFAD 
  Ron emphasized the importance of collaboration, integrated approaches, and empowering local communities. He stressed that philanthropy should support both funding and partnerships to drive sustainable, systemic change.