SEED FUNDING JOINT PROGRAMMES

Cambodia

Transforming Cambodia’s food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient

SDG 2 Zero Hunger Logo

PROJECT TITLE	Transforming Cambodia’s food systems to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient
Context	Cambodia’s National Pathway is the outcome of an extensive consultation process, involving more than 2,000 people throughout thirty dialogues, which identifies four priority areas, namely healthy diets for all, empowerment of youth, women and vulnerable groups, resilient livelihoods and food systems, inclusive governance. Acknowledging the risks posed by climate change to hard won development gains and as a co-founder of the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation, Cambodia is prioritizing the integration of climate change and food systems transformation, building coherence across the agendas. The Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, the government agency coordinating food security and nutrition initiatives in Cambodia, is leading collaborative efforts to translate national aspirations into concrete action.
PUNOs	FAO, WFP, UNICEF
Contribution to SDGs	SDG 2 Zero Hunger
Contribution to other SDG transitions	Climate, biodiversity, pollution
Duration	August 2024 – July 2025
Expected financial leverage	$3 million
Alignment with SG Call to Action	Policy integration; Food systems governance; Inclusive and participatory design; Private sector engagement
Outcomes	The Joint Programme fosters an enabling environment for food systems transformation by enhancing national capacities and policy frameworks, identifying opportunities to unlock financial streams, and strengthening advocacy efforts for food systems transformation. The JP provides crucial support to the alignment of the climate and food agendas, accelerating progress towards resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems.
Partners	Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) will be the main government counterpart and will coordinate the government activities in conjunction with other key Ministries, including: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment Ministry of Economy and Finance Ministry of Commerce Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry of Rural Development Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Ministry of Women’s Affairs
Outputs	Update the Food Systems Roadmap (National Pathway) to identify key transformative areas in different sub-sectors and strengthen its alignment to climate policy frameworks. Develop an action plan and a financing strategy for the Roadmap. Carry out a costing exercise for the Roadmap, complementing the ongoing formulation of the 3rd National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition (2024-2028). Facilitate inclusive multi-stakeholder consultations with line ministries, local actors, private sector, youth and women groups. Design and implement advocacy and communication strategies and tools to raise awareness among decision-makers and mobilize resources from the government, development partners, IFIs, and the private sectors.

National pathway operationalization Policy coherence Inclusive dialogues Advocacy Unlocking finance Food-climate convergence

IFAD and the World Bank are co-developing the first country budget tool for food systems transformation

Left to right: Madhur Gautam (WB), Chris Brett (WB), Stefanos Fotiou (FAO/Hub), Nadine Gbossa (IFAD/Hub) and Armando Cortez Tellez (Hub).

12/01/2023

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank (WB) are co-leading the financing agenda for food systems transformation in support of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. This co-leadership brings together the expertise, resources and outreach of both International Financial Institutions to drive the food financing agenda.

Financing food systems transformation is vital for SDG achievement. The United Nations Food Systems Summit called on the global community for an ambitious financing agenda for the transformation of food systems across the world. The Summit called for a new food finance architecture with US$300-350 billion of additional investment per year and the optimization of resource allocation to curb the US$12 trillion lost every year in environmental, social and economic costs because of the way food systems operate. Some members have requested analytical support and tools for effective allocation of public financing to food systems.

On 12 January 2023, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub met with IFAD and WB, as well as knowledge and operational partners, for the co-development of the first country budget tool for food systems transformation. This tool will provide governments, donors and stakeholders with much needed evidence for smart investment decisions, including:

How much financing goes towards the food system?
To which parts of the food system is financing going?
Does financing target the areas and people most in need for food systems transformation? What are the gaps and needs?

For more information, contact the IFAD and WB co-leads for the Financing Agenda for Food Systems Transformation: Nadine Gbossa, Director Food Systems, IFAD and Chris Brett, Agribusiness Lead, WB.