Background:
For more than 40 years, the UK Food Group (UKFG) has provided a unique platform for civil society organisations working on environmental, food and farming issues in the UK and in the global South to come together to articulate and promote more sustainable, just, equitable and localised food systems. During this time the UKFG has contributed to a number of important processes nationally, in Europe and internationally including the establishment of the UK Food Sovereignty Movement and the promotion of agro ecological and biodiverse models of production and consumption in the framework of food sovereignty. The UKFG continues to provide a platform for information sharing on food and farming internationally, especially as articulated by or affecting smaller-scale food providers.
However, the UKFG is at a crossroads and the Management Group is now seeking to consult with members and allies to ensure the most effective repositioning of a network of organisations and social movements in the face of the rapidly shifting context of international food and agricultural policies. The changes include the development of new environment, trade and technology policies and legislation, exacerbated by Brexit.
This process will include inclusive ‘taking stock and looking forward’ exercises including a Members meeting and planning event in the autumn.
The Management Group has agreed a transition planning process that is structured around a two-phase process. The first phase will be a mapping of Members, friends and other networks’ current interests and perspectives and associated analysis. The second phase will be a Transition Planning meeting in which the findings and analysis will be presented and shared as a basis for planning the way forward of a renewed network. The meeting would also celebrate past UKFG work. Each phase will be led by an experienced, impartial facilitator, who can also help with the planning, delivery and post-event reflection/follow up work. Terms of references for both phases are set out below.
The Tudor Trust has kindly agreed to fund this Transition Planning Process and has also expressed their support for engaging with the next generation of activists, who will be able to carry the work forward.
Individuals interested in being considered for these two facilitator roles should submit expressions of interest and CVs to ukfgcoordination@gmail.com by 9am Wednesday 18th July. Interviews will take place the week of the 23rd of July (dates to be confirmed).
Draft Terms of References:
- Resource Person – Mapping Process:
This resource person will map the specific interests and perspectives of UKFG Members, friends and other platforms including areas of focus, approaches, strengths/ challenges, together with opportunities and threats for a renewed network. Essential and desirable knowledge and skills include:
Essential:
- A good understanding of debates about food, farming, environment and technology policy processes
- A good understanding of social movement structures, the social justice aspects of food systems and their connection to international debates, and the impact that consumer choices have on outcomes in the global South
- Proven research, analytical and writing skills
Desirable:
- Knowledge of UK and International NGOs and social movements, especially those engaged in the food sovereignty movement
- Knowledge of grassroots organisations in UK and the global South
Deliverables:
- A draft methodology to include: a list of the organisations / people to be interviewed, questions to be asked, outline of the report and schedule of activities that will be finalised with input from the Management Group
- A draft report to meet agreed requirements
- Notes on interviews/ analysis
- A final report that incorporates review comments from the Management Group
- A presentation of findings and analysis at the transition planning meeting
Timing:
To be carried out between July and October 2018.
Location:
Anywhere
Fixed fee:
£2,000
- Resource Person – Facilitation:
This resource person will facilitate a day transition planning meeting that will be structured around a presentation of the findings and analysis of the mapping exercise, a key note speaker and group discussion and workshop style interaction. Essential and desirable knowledge and skills include:
Essential:
- Inclusive facilitation skills – including of minorities and traditionally disadvantaged groups – that include conflict management
- Participatory planning process skills
Desirable:
- Understanding of food, farming, environment and technology issues
- Understanding of social justice aspects of food systems including food sovereignty, and specifically the connections with international debates and the impact of our actions in the (UK) on the global South
- Understanding of the mechanics of forming a breadth of social networks, both formal and informal
Deliverables:
- Identify venue
- Agree list of participants with the Management Group
- A draft workshop outline to be finalised with the Management Group
- Assist the UKFG to liaise with participants
- Facilitate the workshop
- Wrap up skype/meeting with Management Group
Timing:
Available to complete the work in the time window between September-December 2018
Location:
Meeting will take place in, or within two hours travel of, London
Fixed fee:
£1,400