The focus of the FSDs is to connect actors and share experiences so that food system transformations occur within defined locations (for example nations, cities, districts, territories, landscapes, watersheds). FSDs will provide opportunities for discussion about food systems policies and economics (encouraging integrated, multi-disciplinary and comprehensive policies), science-based targets and pathways (encouraging the latest peer- reviewed consensus, such as the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet and Health and the work of the FABLE consortium), the potential of innovation and the absolute need for all stakeholders to be included in dialogue. The issues will be carefully framed so that there is scope for open interactions between actors in a context characterized by mutual respect and trust.

There will be a strong focus on monitoring the extent to which the FSDs achieve at least some measures of success during this period. It is expected that the FSDs will catalyse an acceleration in the emergence of sustainable food systems at multiple levels through (a) engaging groups who would not normally work together; (b) fostering greater agreement and ambition among them; and (c) encouraging greater alignment and more intensive action

The FSDs are designed to encourage participation by decision-makers from local and national governments, consumer organizations, as well as small and large-scale food producers and processors, business, civil society groups and international organizations.

The various FSDs sessions will build on each other. There will be FSDs sessions whenever possible in the margins of international meetings with a connection to- or focus on – sustainable development and food systems. Results will be shared between FSDs in ways that encourage both continuity of debate and the evolution of positions. Dialogues will also be encouraged and advanced at local, national and regional level. 

Each FSDs session will consist of several Dialogue tables, usually with 6-10 participants at each table. A discussion topic – usually phrased as an ideal future statement in the given area of food systems – is prepared for each table in advance, challenging the participants to agree on concrete proposals for action.  A facilitator at each table guides the discussion, ensuring balanced speaking time, and summarizes the proposals for action. 

After a set time of discussions, each table reports back to the larger group on their findings. The proposals for actions are what forms the foundation for the Summary Report from each event, published at the Food Systems Dialogues website. The proposals for action are distilled down to form the FSDs Red Thread themes. 

The plan is that participants sit in a circular group. The group includes the facilitator. Ideally, there is a 10-minute set-up phase, a 45 minute period for facilitated Dialogue and a 15 minute period for developing the Dialogue Statement. In the set-up phase the facilitator ensures that the rules of the dialogue are established and agreed. During the set-up phase participants should have the opportunity to leave if they wish – once the Dialogue has started, leaving will be discouraged unless unavoidable. Once the Dialogue is over, DSs are shared between Dialogues by the facilitator through a 5-minute report-back to all the Dialogue tables. [If there are many Dialogue tables there may not be time for all facilitators to report back to all tables]. Once all the Dialogues have been completed, and DSs shared, there will be a plenary discussion where participants have the opportunity to share experiences and voice concerns that need to be taken in future. Participants will complete evaluations after each session.

The Proposals for Action are the primary outputs of the Dialogues. These proposals for action can both help catalyse activities and encourage participants to engage with the ideas for action. The proposals are distilled to form the Red Thread themes, which consists of the most discussed action points from the FSDs events to date. 

FSDs events will be hosted by an increasing number of different entities using – as far as possible – the specified format and sharing Dialogue Statements so that they can be aggregated and then shared on the FSDs website. The specified format for the FSDs and the process for advancing FSDs in different locations will be developed over time in the light of experience. 

The five FSDs partners are EAT, Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), World Economic Forum (WEF) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The Partners convene quarterly – together with the Curator – to decide strategy, finances and long-term goals. 

Members from each partner organization are part of the Operational Group. Via emails and regular conference calls, all partners have an equal opportunity to contribute to logistics, planning and operational decisions for the FSDs.  

Anyone interested in getting more information about the Food Systems Dialogues are invited to join the FSDs Reference Group. This group gathers on conference calls every three months. In these call, both previous and future FSDs events are discussed, people are invited to contribute with suggestions, ask questions, or raise their interest in organizing an FSDs themselves. Minutes from these calls are shared with all members of the Reference Group.  

The FSDs are run by a small secretariat, currently consisting of two full-time employees.

The five partner organizations have developed a budget for the FSDs which will be sufficient to cover the costs of international and regional FSDs sessions, the FSDs Secretariat and the curator. Finance is being mobilized by the initiating organizations from their own resources as well as from donors. The rate at which FSDs can be advanced depends on the speed with which funds can be mobilized.