Project

FoSTr: better policy decisions through clear visions of the future

The clearer the picture of the future, the better policymakers can guide necessary changes in food systems. The Foresight for Food Systems Tranformation (FoSTr) project is working in four low-and-middle-income countries to use foresight and scenario analysis in policy decisions.

Climate change, global population growth and rapidly succeeding shocks and stresses make it increasingly difficult to predict accurately how food systems might evolve. Yet the need to look ahead and anticipate is eminent. To build sustainable, healthy, equitable and resilient food systems of the future, policymakers need to make the right decisions today. With the Foresight4Food FoSTr project, Wageningen University & Research and University of Oxford are supporting policymakers in four countries to properly anticipate the future. This is done through a participatory approach with all relevant stakeholders.

Participatory workshops

To base policies on reliable future scenarios, access to reliable historical data is needed. FoSTr focuses on Bangladesh, Jordan, Kenya and Uganda, working with local research partners and bringing together a broad group of stakeholders in participatory workshops to jointly identify the main challenges within their food system. For each country, we look at the opportunities for research institutes, government organisations and municipal institutions to gain more knowledge and experience with food systems foresight and scenario analysis.

Creating engaging scenarios of plausible food system futures based on data, that is the goal of food systems foresight and scenario analysis. Policymakers can thus better identify the consequences of existing policies and shape policies that anticipate the future. The clearer the picture of the future, the greater the opportunities to create social understanding for desired policies. FoSTr is part of the Foresight4Food initiative, a global network of foresight experts and users active in food systems around the globe.

Tools and materials for foresight for food system change

Within the Foresight for Food System Transformation (FoSTr) project a number of tools and materials have been developed that can be downloaded below:

Food system maps

A series of comprehensive food systems reports mapping the dynamics, trends,
drivers, and activities within the food system.

* FoSTr has terminated its foresight support to the government in Niger due to the military coup in July 2024.

Briefing paper: Foresight for Food Systems Change

Paper in which futures thinking and scenario analysis for resilience and anticipatory policy making is detailed.

Download here