The challenges in rural areas are multisectoral and are getting more and more complex: Climate change, environmental degradation and conflicts are endangering the achievements made in the fight against hunger and poverty. Population growth, migration, unemployment and limited access to essential services also hinder the resilience of rural areas and its inhabitants. A fusion that challenges traditional perspectives: silo thinking and single-sector growth strategies do not fit in a world demanding simultaneous attention to diverse social, economic, and ecological objectives. We need to leave thinking in silos behind and advance towards a holistic approach – for fostering the resilience of rural areas, for achieving the 2030 Agenda and for implementing the three Rio Conventions.
How do we put holistic approaches into practice? What transformative leverage effects can be achieved with integrated solutions? Which measures have been particular successful in terms of their impacts, and which tend not to be?
Three new case study compilations give insights and show what works in terms of agroecological and territorial approaches as well as measures at the interface of water, land and food. The publications look from different angles at these integrated rural development approaches, their implementation on the ground and their challenges.
“Agroecology – From Principles to Transformative Pathways”
How can the 13 principles of agroecology be used to shape a pathway for agricultural and food systems transformation? If you asked yourself the very same question, have a look at our new Factsheet! Five projects share their lessons learned and how they used the principles to define their pathway towards sustainable food systems transformation. From designing a systemic approach for food systems transformation to tailor a strategy which supports rural women to create community benefits, to cross-sectoral approaches to integrate biodiversity protection and its sustainable use into agriculture systems.
Dive into five case stories from India, Mali, Mexico and two Global Programmes (Asia & Africa) and find out how agroecology can look like on the ground.
| India: Agents of Change – Women Self-Help Groups in India
| Mali: Uniting Multiple Stakeholders for Agroecological Transitions in Mali
| Global: Integrating Aquaculture into Smallholder Farming Systems
| Regional in Sub-Saharan Africa: Agroecology – a Pathway for Rural Youth Employment
| Mexico: Strengthening Rural Livelihoods in Mexico
Empowering Regions and Communities: Case Stories in Territorial Approaches
Territorial approaches to development encompass a comprehensive and interconnected perspective that considers various scales and aspects of governance, economy, environment, and society. They recognize the territory as a space where diverse human activities occur and are influenced by a community of stakeholders including rural people, smallholders, civil society, private sector as well as social and political institutions. At its core, a territorial approach integrates environmental, social, political, cultural, and economic assets; acknowledging their complex interrelations and the different development priorities they entail. Dive into six case stories from Laos, Chad, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Honduras and Southeast Europe and find out about multisectoral challenges at different scales, about results and success factors.
| Chad: Integrated Community Development in Northern Chad
| Ethiopia: Climate-Sensitive Innovations for Land Management
| Tunisia: Initiative for Regional Development
| Laos: Land Management and Decentralized Planning
| Honduras: Sustainable NRM under Climate Aspects in Indigenous Territories
| Southeast Europe: Support to Economic Diversification of Rural Areas
Transforming food systems requires focusing on land, soil, water, ecosystems and human well-being as interconnected systems. A systemic and cross-sectoral approach to promoting resilience in rural areas is key. But how does GIZ put these ambitions into practice? How do projects working in the water sector address the water-land-food nexus, and how can resilience in the broader context of rural development be enhanced? What experiences have been made regarding the sustainable management and integrated governance of water and land for rural development, food security and climate resilience? Dive into five case stories from India, Chad, Lesotho, Boliviaand Mexico and find out about multisectoral challenges at the interface of water, land and food at different scales, about results and success factors.
| Chad: Managing Shared Resources Amidst Multiple Crises in the Lake Chad Basin
| Lesotho: Catching Water for All in Lesotho’s Water Catchments
| India: Mobilizing Multiple Funding for Water Security and Climate Resilience in India
| Bolivia: Planning Together for Better Livelihoods and Climate Resilience in Bolivia
| Mexico: Saving Groundwater for Foods and Beers in Mexico
Many thanks to all the projects that have volunteered together with the Sector Project Rural Development to jointly reflect on integrated approaches, share their experiences and derive learnings as an inspiration to those facing similar challenges. All projects have been selected to reflect regional and thematic diversity. Project staff are greatly acknowledged for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm.
If you have further questions please get back to us: sv.le@giz.de
Link to Further Materials
- Agroecology – From Principles to Transformative Pathways (giz.de)
- Empowering Regions and Communities: Case Stories in Territorial Approaches
- Best Practices Water, Land, Food — Integrated Approaches as Key to strengthening Resilience in Rural Areas (giz.de)
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Key Buzzwords
Rural Development, Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems, Water, Land, Food, Urban-Rural Linkages, Territorial Approaches, Agroecology, Integrated Approaches
