Co‑Designing the Future of Agroecology: Reflections from the DeSIRA LIFT+ Spring Workshop-Brussels 20-21 April 2026.
Brussels became the stage for a powerful conversation on Africa’s agricultural future during the DeSIRA LIFT+ Spring Co‑design Workshop held on 20–21 April 2026. The gathering brought together African partner organizations, FARA, RUFORUM, and Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), as well as Agrinatura EEIG, the Directorate‑General for International Partnerships of the European Commission (DG INTPA), and selected experts. The mission objective was to co‑design the operational roadmap and Theory of Change (ToC) for DeSIRA LIFT+, a development facility dedicated to strengthening innovation, evidence, and policy dialogue for agroecological transitions across Africa.
DeSIRA LIFT+ is not about implementing projects directly; it is about connecting the dots as a service hub by fostering dialogue, building partnerships, conducting transversal studies, and ensuring that evidence flows seamlessly into policy arenas. The workshop was a turning point, gradually rotating the wheel from broad ambition to concrete action.
Representing Biovision Africa Trust, Fredrick Ochieng (Ag. Executive Director) and Alex Mutungi (AU EOA Initiative Africa Coordinator) played a vital role in shaping discussions. They emphasized the importance of farmer‑managed seed systems (FMSS) and agroecology as cornerstones of Africa’s food system transformation. BvAT presented its Transdisciplinary Learning Initiative (TDLI) and Digital Knowledge Platform (DKP) as initiatives that align with its objectives for knowledge management and capacity building. Their call was for policies that recognize and protect farmer-managed seed systems, incentivize agroecological practices, and integrate these into national, regional, and continental strategies.
The workshop concluded with a shared roadmap, draft governance structures, and a renewed commitment to evidence‑based policy dialogue. For FARA, RUFORUM, and BvAT, this was more than a technical exercise; it was about ownership and voice, ensuring that continental priorities drive the trajectory of DeSIRA LIFT+ Initiative.
With partners like BvAT at the forefront, the initiative is poised to make agroecological transitions not just a vision but a lived reality across Africa.
Compiled by:
Alex Mutungi
