Experiences with a food system governance self-assessment tool : report on a tool to enhance reflection and action towards food systems governance

This report describes the process and experiences of four City Working Groups (CWGs) of four cities in the Dhaka Metropolitan area in Bangladesh in developing and using a Food systems governance self-assessment tool. The tool was based on a theoretical framework of principles for food system governance arrangements. This report covers the process of identifying and formulating ten (10) food system governance practices, the development of a self-assessment tool on these practices, and the experiences of application of the tool by CWG members. Findings show that the tool offers the opportunity for CWG members to engage in joint reflection on their contribution to food system governance and to make ‘governance’ an actionable concept. More time for reflection on the results of the self-assessment would be valuable to further strengthen the CWGs’ contribution to food system governance in their respective cities. These experiences and the tool itself can offer inspiration to similar platforms in other cities in- and outside Bangladesh on how to foster self-monitoring and learning and to strengthen their own contribution to food system governance in their respective cities.