TMG Think Tank for Sustainability
Here on the TMG blog our team and collaborators share our latest research, comment on current political events, and engage with debates in the many fields in which we work.
Governance in der Sonderinitative „EINEWELT ohne Hunger“: Wer steuerte was wohin?
Food Systems

Governance in der Sonderinitative „EINEWELT ohne Hunger“: Wer steuerte was wohin?

Die vorliegende Studie analysiert explorativ die Gover- nance – also die politische Steuerung – der Sonderini- tiative »EINEWELT ohne Hunger« (SEWOH), welche von 2014 bis 2022 durch das BMZ realisiert wurde.

Strengthening water user associations through digitalization: A field experiment in Southern Maharashtra
Nature-based Solutions

Strengthening water user associations through digitalization: A field experiment in Southern Maharashtra

There is an urgent need for equal water access in India, which is why TMG and SOPPECOM have partnered to strengthen their water management capacities through digital technologies.

Shaping Just Transition: TMG Research's strategic contributions to building momentum for a land tenure and climate agenda in the three Rio Conventions
Land Governance

Shaping Just Transition: TMG Research's strategic contributions to building momentum for a land tenure and climate agenda in the three Rio Conventions

Building momentum around climate action and land tenure

Harnessing policy thinking within development cooperation to strengthen the governance of food systems transformation
Food Systems

Harnessing policy thinking within development cooperation to strengthen the governance of food systems transformation

TMG is working to unravel which governance mechanisms are best placed to draw out synergies and collaborations between different food system actors

Just transitions rest on the horizon where ideas and action collide
Land Governance

Just transitions rest on the horizon where ideas and action collide

TMG is running full steam to use its action-oriented research to craft innovative, grassroots projects and inform global dialogue.

Towards a new economic and governance approach for food systems transformation
Food Systems

Towards a new economic and governance approach for food systems transformation

TMG provided a pivotal background paper on True Cost Accounting to SOFA, and used this platform to call for stronger, more integrated and accountable business reporting standards.

The SEWOH Lab – From Data to Action
Food Systems

The SEWOH Lab – From Data to Action

The SEWOH lab consists of six projects, all of them aiming to combine digital tools and social innovations that generate progress towards sustainable transformations of our societies and food systems.

From scoping to action research: Implementation of five pathways for more resilient and inclusive urban food systems in Cape Town and Nairobi   
Urban Food Futures

From scoping to action research: Implementation of five pathways for more resilient and inclusive urban food systems in Cape Town and Nairobi   

Strengthening Systemic Approaches to Urban Food Transformation

Harvesting Insights: Key Takeaways from the first two editions of Kakamega Governor's Day with Farmers
Food Systems

Harvesting Insights: Key Takeaways from the first two editions of Kakamega Governor's Day with Farmers

In a groundbreaking initiative, Kakamega County trail-blazed a process that annually unites farmers and policymakers, aptly referred to as "Governor's Day with Farmers" (GDF).

How Securing Land Rights Can Contribute to Increased Resilience, Soil Restoration, and More Sustainable Land Use
Land Governance

How Securing Land Rights Can Contribute to Increased Resilience, Soil Restoration, and More Sustainable Land Use

In many African countries, insecure land rights spark conflicts with governments in global environmental programmes. TMG Research's workshop addressed challenges, proposed solutions, and created a roadmap for the crucial year of 2024.

Insights from UNFCCC COP28 Side Events: Creating Inclusive Governance Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems
Food Systems

Insights from UNFCCC COP28 Side Events: Creating Inclusive Governance Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems

Two side events by TMG Research and WWF discussed how to get from declarations to implementation of effective food systems transformation.

From Data to Action: Six principles for inclusive digitalization towards food systems transformation
Food Systems

From Data to Action: Six principles for inclusive digitalization towards food systems transformation

TMG Research hosted a forum on inclusive digitalization to gather expertise and guidance based on the innovating experiences and demands of communities

Governance of Food Systems Transformation in Kenya   – many answers and further questions
Food Systems

Governance of Food Systems Transformation in Kenya – many answers and further questions

To contribute to answering questions about the transformation of food systems at the Kenyan level, TMG Research organized a workshop in Nairobi as part of its Food Systems program

Land Rights and Gender Responsive Climate Action Seminar
Land Governance

Land Rights and Gender Responsive Climate Action Seminar

Towards Climate Justice: Securing Women’s Land Rights for a Resilient Tomorrow

Responsible Land Governance in Land Degradation Neutrality Programmes: Insights from Malawi
Land Governance

Responsible Land Governance in Land Degradation Neutrality Programmes: Insights from Malawi

A case study of forest protection and conservation measures implemented in Malawi’s Ntchisi Forest Reserve, and the impact of these measures on the tenure rights of communities living adjacent to the forest.

Grabbing land to save the planet or using the power of human rights to protect tenure rights?
Land Governance

Grabbing land to save the planet or using the power of human rights to protect tenure rights?

Responsible land governance for fair transitions

The revolution will be crowdsourced!
Land Governance

The revolution will be crowdsourced!

Developing new forms of reporting and monitoring for empowerment and accountability.

UNFSS Stocktaking Moment: Empowering Civil Society for Inclusive Food Systems Transformation
Food Systems

UNFSS Stocktaking Moment: Empowering Civil Society for Inclusive Food Systems Transformation

Highlights of UNFSS Stocktaking Moment - side event on civili society actors and marginalized groups in governance of food systems transformation.

Food systems governance in Kenya: leaving no one behind
Food Systems

Food systems governance in Kenya: leaving no one behind

Reflections from the National Agriculture Summit – July 2023

Harnessing Synergies and Mobilizing Joint Action: A Historic First Workshop on Women’s Land Rights with all Three Rio Conventions
Land Governance

Harnessing Synergies and Mobilizing Joint Action: A Historic First Workshop on Women’s Land Rights with all Three Rio Conventions

Reducing systemic inequalities, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and conserving biodiversity through nature conservation, sustainable land management and restoration

Navigating digitalization in disaster risk reduction
Food Systems

Navigating digitalization in disaster risk reduction

Digital technologies initially lauded for emergency response in post-2010 Haiti earthquake, but mismanagement of resources and barriers to local input exposed disconnect with local communities.

Inclusive Governance of Food Systems Transformation: Empowering Food System Actors
Food Systems

Inclusive Governance of Food Systems Transformation: Empowering Food System Actors

Berlin workshop in June 2023 on inclusive food systems governance, emphasizing empowerment of marginalized groups, addressing power imbalances, and fostering collaborations.

World Bee Day 2023: Time for sustainable solutions to tackle locust upsurges
Food Systems

World Bee Day 2023: Time for sustainable solutions to tackle locust upsurges

An urgent call to safeguard pollinators during pest eradication campaigns.

Engaging traditional leaders to advance environmental protection
Land Governance

Engaging traditional leaders to advance environmental protection

A visit to a revered Maasai traditional leader at the forefront of protecting the sacred Loita Forest in Kenya

Unveiling the hidden costs of climate-related disasters in eastern Africa
Food Systems

Unveiling the hidden costs of climate-related disasters in eastern Africa

Lessons in integrating True Cost Accounting to support disaster risk management

Governor’s Day with Farmers – an innovative governance tool to bring more local agri-food actors to the policy table
Land Governance

Governor’s Day with Farmers – an innovative governance tool to bring more local agri-food actors to the policy table

Highlights of the 2nd Governor's Day with Farmers, Kakamega County Kenya

Food system transformation requires a compass: Ours is the progressive realization of the right to food in low-income urban settings
Urban Food Futures

Food system transformation requires a compass: Ours is the progressive realization of the right to food in low-income urban settings

TMG’s Urban Food Futures programme publishes its scoping report

“Food is not a peculiar challenge in times of crisis. Food is the common crisis”
Urban Food Futures

“Food is not a peculiar challenge in times of crisis. Food is the common crisis”

TMG side event at ARFSD 2023 advocates for valorizing the informal sector as a critical lever for transforming food systems across African cities

Kitchens, gender and unlearning feminism
Urban Food Futures

Kitchens, gender and unlearning feminism

Urban Food Futures research results presented at CSW67

Women's rights ARE human rights
Land Governance

Women's rights ARE human rights

Harnessing the power of human rights to secure women's land tenure security

Digitalizing Development – not digitizing the status quo!
Land Governance

Digitalizing Development – not digitizing the status quo!

Leveraging the potential of digital tools to build inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems

The power of human rights to protect tenure rights
Land Governance

The power of human rights to protect tenure rights

A call to human rights and land actors to join hands and advance human rights-based approaches to land governance

Emergency solution or silver bullet?
Food Systems

Emergency solution or silver bullet?

Highlights of discussions on how to steer national pathways for food system transformation at GFFA 2023

Business as usual will not fix urban food system crisis: A call to prioritize local voices
Urban Food Futures

Business as usual will not fix urban food system crisis: A call to prioritize local voices

Berlin meeting examines gaps between international policy intentions and implementation on the ground

Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15
Nature-based Solutions

Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15

We need to find new ways to agree on, and implement, robust goals for biodiversity protection

Could “Urban Nutrition Hubs” offer a systemic response to entrenched hunger and inequality?
Urban Food Futures

Could “Urban Nutrition Hubs” offer a systemic response to entrenched hunger and inequality?

Take aways from a policy engagement event in Cape Town

Governance: A key missing link in tackling climate-related transboundary threats
Food Systems

Governance: A key missing link in tackling climate-related transboundary threats

Highlights of a GLF Climate expert session co-organized by TMG and IGAD-ICPAC on the sidelines of UNFCCC COP 27

Coping with conflicts and forced displacement — the role of Foyer Fama’s Kitchen
Urban Food Futures

Coping with conflicts and forced displacement — the role of Foyer Fama’s Kitchen

Exploring the potential of controlled environment agriculture in creating an urban nutrition hub

Hunger’s Vicious Cycle: Intersecting food price, security and political crises in Burkina Faso
Urban Food Futures

Hunger’s Vicious Cycle: Intersecting food price, security and political crises in Burkina Faso

Climate shocks and rising global input costs are converging with internal conflict and political instability, triggering devastating food price increases in Burkina Faso.

As urban food insecurity worsens, school feeding provides a crucial safety net
Urban Food Futures

As urban food insecurity worsens, school feeding provides a crucial safety net

Examining the state of school feeding

Drivers of urban food system transformation: Unpacking a social change process in Nairobi
Urban Food Futures

Drivers of urban food system transformation: Unpacking a social change process in Nairobi

Providing space for affected residents to identify their most pressing needs and to be fully involved in designing and implementing solutions for improving their situation

Unlocking the potential of the Voluntary Guidelines on Land Tenure in food system transformation
Land Governance

Unlocking the potential of the Voluntary Guidelines on Land Tenure in food system transformation

A summary of the CFS 50 side event, Unlocking the potential of the VGGT through Land Degradation Neutrality

Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines on Tenure (VGGT)
Land Governance

Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines on Tenure (VGGT)

A Decade of the CFS VGGT: assessing progress and enhancing accountability

The race to net zero: Balancing between ecosystem restoration and safeguarding legitimate land rights?
Land Governance

The race to net zero: Balancing between ecosystem restoration and safeguarding legitimate land rights?

A summary of the GLF Africa session: Our Landscape, Our Rights, Our Investment

Crowdsourcing land rights data to improve women’s tenure security
Land Governance

Crowdsourcing land rights data to improve women’s tenure security

Exploring what it takes to leverage the potential of digital technologies on the ground

With pots and pens to parliament – Understanding and responding to crises through a critical feminist lens
Urban Food Futures

With pots and pens to parliament – Understanding and responding to crises through a critical feminist lens

A blog commemorating Women’s Day in South Africa, 9 August

Steering Conversations for Building Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Urban Food Systems
Urban Food Futures

Steering Conversations for Building Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Urban Food Systems

Reflections on African cities’ path towards sustainability

For a just transition to a sustainable planet we must secure land rights
Land Governance

For a just transition to a sustainable planet we must secure land rights

Highlights of UNCCD COP 15 contributions by TMG and partners

Land tenure rights are at the heart of fighting hunger and transforming food systems
Land Governance

Land tenure rights are at the heart of fighting hunger and transforming food systems

Highlights from the first ever Food Day at the Rio Conventions Pavilion at UNCCD COP 15 in Abidjan

What are you dishing up? The art of storytelling in transforming urban food systems
Urban Food Futures

What are you dishing up? The art of storytelling in transforming urban food systems

The uPhakantoni Cape Town Podcast creates a space for conversations around poverty and hunger enabling people to candidly speak for themselves.

Urban displacements: Facing up to rising food insecurity in Nairobi
Urban Food Futures

Urban displacements: Facing up to rising food insecurity in Nairobi

Analysing media reporting of evictions in the Mukuru informal settlement of Nairobi

A looming global food crisis: What should the global response be?
Food Systems

A looming global food crisis: What should the global response be?

Unpacking the Four “Cs” of 2022 - Climate, Conflict, Covid and (high food) Costs

Shaping tomorrow’s food systems
Food Systems

Shaping tomorrow’s food systems

The role of farmer organisations in global food system transformation

Food systems transformation: towards a common understanding
Food Systems

Food systems transformation: towards a common understanding

TMG Research convenes expert group to kick off new research project on food systems transformation

First Governor’s Day with Farmers takes place in Kakamega County
Land Governance

First Governor’s Day with Farmers takes place in Kakamega County

A template for inclusive policymaking for sustainable agricultural development

Empowered women: Re-imagining food and community in Cape Town
Urban Food Futures

Empowered women: Re-imagining food and community in Cape Town

Project partners meet some women using community kitchens to drive social transformation in Cape Town's informal settlements.

Desert locust and climate change: a call for improved global governance
Food Systems

Desert locust and climate change: a call for improved global governance

A response to the latest IPCC climate report

Building better resilience to desert locust and other transboundary threats amid the climate crisis
Food Systems

Building better resilience to desert locust and other transboundary threats amid the climate crisis

A plaidoyer for a paradigm shift on handling crises

Re-Imagining Food In Cities: Working On A Theory Of Change For Urban Food Futures In Cape Town 
Urban Food Futures

Re-Imagining Food In Cities: Working On A Theory Of Change For Urban Food Futures In Cape Town 

In January 2022 the Urban Food Futures programme partners in Cape Town met to jointly formulate and discuss the programme's Theory of Change.

Transforming urban food systems starting from consumption: a reflection on the 2022 International Symposium on Nutrition
Urban Food Futures

Transforming urban food systems starting from consumption: a reflection on the 2022 International Symposium on Nutrition

This year’s International Nutrition Symposium was all about the urban nutrition transition and the question: “How do we change consumer behaviour towards more sustainability?”

School feeding: Challenges, Trends and Opportunities
Urban Food Futures

School feeding: Challenges, Trends and Opportunities

School feeding programmes are the most extensive social safety net worldwide and increasingly seen as a lever to not only achieve children’s human rights to food, education and health but also transform food systems more holistically.

A lot on our plate: Dietary patterns as a starting point for the sustainable transformation of food systems
Food Systems

A lot on our plate: Dietary patterns as a starting point for the sustainable transformation of food systems

Using the innovative methodology of True Cost Accounting (TCA) — and building on an analysis of current as well as desired future dietary patterns — to guide policy development and actions.

It starts with people: The human rights imperative for achieving large-scale restoration targets
Land Governance

It starts with people: The human rights imperative for achieving large-scale restoration targets

Contextualising a GFFA Expert Panel hosted by TMG Research

True Cost Accounting at COP 26: A new tool to support sustainable food systems transformation
Food Systems

True Cost Accounting at COP 26: A new tool to support sustainable food systems transformation

Showing the “hidden costs” of production and revealing the benefits of sustainable food systems

What is our food worth to us?
Food Systems

What is our food worth to us?

Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Side Event explores integrated valuation tools for food systems transformation

Beyond Food Aid: A “Kitchen Retreat” reimagines community in the Cape Flats
Urban Food Futures

Beyond Food Aid: A “Kitchen Retreat” reimagines community in the Cape Flats

A space to exhale, listen and learn

Towards more inclusive and resilient food systems for Nairobi's informal settlements
Urban Food Futures

Towards more inclusive and resilient food systems for Nairobi's informal settlements

Partner workshop charts transformative pathways for Nairobi's informal urban settlements

Who benefits? SEWOH Lab study explores farmers’ engagement in carbon sequestration schemes
Nature-based Solutions

Who benefits? SEWOH Lab study explores farmers’ engagement in carbon sequestration schemes

Findings from research on carbon sequestration in agricultural soils

Alliances for change: Developing a collaborative roadmap for Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Nature-based Solutions

Alliances for change: Developing a collaborative roadmap for Ecosystem-based Adaptation

IKI-funded Climate-SDG Integration Project develops a roadmap for scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change

Strengthening international solidarity for climate resilience
Nature-based Solutions

Strengthening international solidarity for climate resilience

Advancing rights-based approaches for food systems transformation and climate resilience

Transformation: does the term still have value?
Food Systems

Transformation: does the term still have value?

TMG think piece series

Why context matters in ecosystem resilience: Five insights from India and Guatemala
Nature-based Solutions

Why context matters in ecosystem resilience: Five insights from India and Guatemala

TMG and partners publish the results of an analysis of community resilience initiatives at several study sites in India and Guatemala

How should we apply the Voluntary Guidelines on Tenure? Takeaways from a training session ahead of the 10th anniversary of the VGGT
Land Governance

How should we apply the Voluntary Guidelines on Tenure? Takeaways from a training session ahead of the 10th anniversary of the VGGT

TMG Research hosted a VGGT Training in August 2021, focusing on the practical implementation of the Guidelines within its partner countries. This article summarizes the key takeaways.

Easing access to land for Africa’s youth: Are community land lease arrangements the answer?
Land Governance

Easing access to land for Africa’s youth: Are community land lease arrangements the answer?

Addressing structural constraints that discourage young people from joining the agricultural sector

Escalamiento del enfoque de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas en una política pública local
Nature-based Solutions

Escalamiento del enfoque de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas en una política pública local

Implementación del enfoque AbE en el Plan de Desarrollo Municipal y Ordenamiento Territorial 2019-2032 del municipio de Chiantla, departamento de Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Building wider support for ecosystem-based adaptation: how can communications help?
Nature-based Solutions

Building wider support for ecosystem-based adaptation: how can communications help?

Ecosystem-based adaptation increases resilience in the face of climate change, but its adoption is still limited. How better communications can increase uptake.

Developing a human rights approach to land governance: a workshop report
Land Governance

Developing a human rights approach to land governance: a workshop report

How mapping stakeholder relations can help to improve land conflict resolution mechanisms

The many faces of sustainability
Land Governance

The many faces of sustainability

Youth in Soil writers share stories from Africa

“I don’t know where the firewood buyers are coming from”
Land Governance

“I don’t know where the firewood buyers are coming from”

How Covid-19 puts the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities at risk

People and Planet
Nature-based Solutions

People and Planet

Empowering African communities in ecosystem restoration

Towards a cultural reset in restoring Africa’s drylands
Land Governance

Towards a cultural reset in restoring Africa’s drylands

Insights for empowering community-led land management as the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) kicks off

Covid-19 and the evolving face of urban farming in Nairobi
Urban Food Futures

Covid-19 and the evolving face of urban farming in Nairobi

How Covid-19 is changing food production in East Africa's largest city

The EU has what it takes to ramp up global ambition on oceans and climate
Nature-based Solutions

The EU has what it takes to ramp up global ambition on oceans and climate

3rd International Ocean Governance Forum lays agenda for transformative Blue Economy pathways

From Watershed Development to Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Nature-based Solutions

From Watershed Development to Ecosystem-based Adaptation

A journey to systemic resilience

Cheap food is expensive
Food Systems

Cheap food is expensive

Why the World Food Systems Summit must usher in a fundamental change to our food system

Achieving the right to land: An innovative tool for tracking land governance in Malawi
Land Governance

Achieving the right to land: An innovative tool for tracking land governance in Malawi

Exploring how a human rights approach will strengthen land rights

Repurposing social media
Food Systems

Repurposing social media

Spotlight on emerging innovations in Nairobi’s informal fresh food retail sector

To protect ecosystems, invest in women’s capacities!
Land Governance

To protect ecosystems, invest in women’s capacities!

This International Women’s Day we highlight the importance of women to the success of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030

Social innovations for healthy soils and human well-being
Land Governance

Social innovations for healthy soils and human well-being

Supporting smallholders in safeguarding soil ecosystems

Knowledge that lasts: Repurposing farmer-led extension models in Benin
Land Governance

Knowledge that lasts: Repurposing farmer-led extension models in Benin

Testing farmer-led knowledge sharing approaches for strengthening sustainable land management and climate resilience in Benin

Alliances for Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Guatemala
Nature-based Solutions

Alliances for Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Guatemala

A global shout out to ecosystem-based adaptation

Building Our Food Systems Back Better
Food Systems

Building Our Food Systems Back Better

What is required to make food systems provide sufficient, healthy food while not harming the planet? How should food security be maintained given the threat posed by climate change?

Covid-19 Food/Future: How are food systems reconfiguring under the current pandemic?
Food Systems

Covid-19 Food/Future: How are food systems reconfiguring under the current pandemic?

This article presents insights gathered during the first six weeks of the Covid-19 Food/Future initiative by a team of young and dynamic voices based in nine African countries.

Video Diaries in the Days of Corona: Voices from the Ground
Urban Food Futures

Video Diaries in the Days of Corona: Voices from the Ground

Young farmers’ insights on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa @CovidFoodFuture and video diaries from Nairobi’s informal settlements

Guatemala holds its first National Forum on Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Nature-based Solutions

Guatemala holds its first National Forum on Ecosystem-based Adaptation

At the National Forum on Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Guatemala, various stakeholders recognized in a written declaration the urgent need to scale-up nature-based solutions

Nurturing nature: Identifying Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) initiatives to build social and political support for EbA upscaling in Guatemala
Nature-based Solutions

Nurturing nature: Identifying Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) initiatives to build social and political support for EbA upscaling in Guatemala

A step-by-step approach to identifying successful ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives

Creating an enabling environment for nature-based solutions to climate change
Nature-based Solutions

Creating an enabling environment for nature-based solutions to climate change

Global goals will not percolate by themselves, local evidence is fundamental to implementing nature-based solutions to climate change

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