Joint SDG Fund

Food Systems Transformation Window

BACKGROUND

Following the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in 2021, National Food System Convenors called for a global funding mechanism to support the shift of national food systems transformation pathways from consultations and political commitments to the implementation of innovative interventions and systems impact.

In response, the Joint SDG Fund Food Systems Transformation Window was established through a partnership between the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat. This initiative leverages the strengths of both the UNFSS process—including national pathways, National Convenors, and the Ecosystem of Support (such as UNFSS coalitions)—and the UN Development System Reform, which strengthens efforts through UN Resident Coordinator leadership, enhanced UN Country Team coordination, revised UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), and insights from the SDG Summit.

Together, these elements harness the UN’s unique capacity to support government-led food systems transformations.

The Joint SDG Fund serves as a key mechanism to drive food systems transformation, turning holistic policy visions into multisectoral, multilayered impact across the SDGs. It also helps mobilize scaled-up financing, aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s UNFSS+2 Call to Action for enhanced support.

Thanks to the governments of Germany, Italy, Spain, and Ireland, a first funding round for food systems transformation was officially launched in February 2024. This launch followed the approval of the Investment Strategy and Terms of Reference – including management arrangements – by the Joint SDG Fund Operational Steering Committee for a 5-year period.

With renewed support from the government of Germany, a second funding round is under development, to be launched in 2025.