Network of IFOAM - Organics International - 2020 Regional Highlights & 2021 Goals
We are happy to share some of our collective achievements with our Network’s 2020 highlights and goals for 2021.
Despite a challenging 2020, the Self-Organized Structures have pushed forward and are determined to continue supporting the organic journey of farmers around the world in 2021.
IFOAM Organics Europe
Making Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050
To realise its European Green Deal aimed at making Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the European Commission promoted several measures that acknowledge organic as essential to this transition. Its EU Biodiversity and Farm to Fork strategies aim to:
· Reach the target of 25% of land farmed organically in Europe by 2030.
· Propose measures to boost the demand for organic products through promotion schemes and green public procurement.
Continuous efforts on the Farm to Fork EU Biodiversity Strategies in 2021
IFOAM Organics Europe will continue working to ensure the Farm to Fork targets are included in key European legislation, especially the target of 25% of land farmed organically by 2030. This will involve work on the EU Organic Action Plan, the Common Agricultural Policy, organic seeds and inputs, and much more.
Submit your initiative for transforming food and farming in Europe
- 1,000 people from across the globe tuned in to the European Organic Congress 2020!
- IFOAM - Organics International took many steps to contribute to the Common Agricultural Policy including by pledging its support for the Good Food Good Farming coalition.
IFOAM North America
'We Share Webinar' - in partnership with INOFO
The webinar initiated the first live, online international community-building activities, joining members of IFOAM - Organics International from around the globe for a critical conversation directed at solving issues organic farmers face. The specific topic of discussion was how farmers around the world have developed unique local solutions to the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Panelists commented on local markets, food hubs, organic inspections, government support, and access to resources. Participants shared and learned by networking with one another.
2021 - Implementation of Organic 3.0 in North America
The lead will be taken in implementing the overall Organic 3.0 concept in Canada and the U.S. It will be emphasizing inclusion of wider sustainability interests and holistic empowerment from farm to final product. IFOAM North America proposes to convene a virtual forum to create awareness of Organics 3.0 within the organic community—including non-certified organic operations—and allies to recognize, critically appraise and value the objectives and achievements of like-minded organizations and movements. The objective is to create strategic alliances based on common vision and goals.
IFOAM Asia
All events held virtually in 2020
For the first time in its history, IFOAM Asia hosted all of its events virtually due to the global pandemic. More than 2,000 viewers from 46 countries and regions witnessed the ALGOA 5th Anniversary and Asia Organic Day on 18 September and the 6th ALGOA Summit on 12-16 October, 2020. Furthermore, 28 trainees from all over Asia successfully completed the virtual ALGOA Organic Foundation Course on 24 September 2020.
Mark your calendars for the 2021 IFOAM Asia events!
The Organic Asia Congress is one of the region’s largest organic agriculture events. This year, the 4th Organic Asia Congress will be held in Indonesia in November. Several events will be held during the week-long congress, including the IFOAM Asia General Assembly, the IFOAM Asia Organic Youth Forum and the historic launch of Women in Organic Agriculture in Asia (WOAA).
IFOAM Southern African Network
What about 2020?
A key highlight was the increased active participation by stakeholders in Southern Africa, as the use of virtual spaces helped bridge the limitation caused by distance and brought everyone together.
Finalizing the strategy in 2021
In 2021, IFOAM SAN will finalise its strategy that will see all organisations (INOFO, NOARA and IFOAM SAN) working together in the spirit of developing and strengthening the one-membership approach.
Intercontinental Network of Organic Farmers Organisations (INOFO)
INOFO GLOBAL
The Council agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with IFOAM - Organics International with regards to joint activities supporting the notion of INOFO being the Platform for Organic Farmer Organisations within the IFOAM - Organics International network.
In 2020, funding was secured for INOFO to register as a legal entity and support some of the Secretariat functions through our development phases. This is an important step for INOFO as an institution giving farmer organisations a direct voice within the organic sector. To this avail, INOFO has been actively represented at IFAD, UN, etc,. both at regional and international levels.
INOFO ASIA
Two Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) webinars were held by INOFO and the Indonesia Organic Alliance in 2020. Both webinars aimed to inspire organic farmer organisations by sharing how local initiatives strengthen local production, consumption and marketing of organically grown food and products. It also pointed out how these initiatives helped ensure the health and wellness of citizens while providing income to farmers through PGS, not only during this time of crisis but as a sustainable, reliable and earth-friendly food production system. Both webinars were joined by more than 100 farmers, PGS practitioners and advocates, not only from Asia but also from Europe, the Pacific and Africa.
INOFO Africa
INOFO Africa collaborated with The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), the biggest African CSO engaged in agroecology and food sovereignty, to organize the “Grow, Nourish and Sustain with farmers managed seed systems (FMSS) in Africa” webinar.
What to expect in 2021?
The Council will continue developing its communication and membership strategies refreshing its website for improved communication, and promoting more interaction with organic farmer organisations. The General Assembly is postponed to 2021, in line with the Organic World Congress and IFOAM General Assembly.
Mark your calendars!
