How can a sustainable, healthy, and fair food system be effectively shaped at the state level? This question guided the work of Ecologic Institute in 2022, commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection of the State of Brandenburg (MSGIV). The objective was to develop robust strategic objectives and actionable measures for food policy in Brandenburg, involving key stakeholders from across relevant sectors.

Design and implementation of the participatory process

Ecologic Institute was responsible for the design, organisation, facilitation, and evaluation of a structured participatory process. This process systematically brought together diverse perspectives and enabled informed exchange between public administration, practitioners, and civil society. Substantively, the process was structured around five key fields of action reflecting core dimensions of a sustainable food system, including regional value creation, public catering, and capacity development.

Dialogue formats and stakeholder engagement

A central component of the process consisted of expert workshops conducted in two consecutive rounds. The first round focused on reviewing and refining existing strategic objectives, while the second developed concrete proposals for implementation measures. These were complemented by interdepartmental coordination processes and regional workshops, which ensured the inclusion of perspectives from different parts of Brandenburg. Stakeholders were engaged along the entire value chain, from primary production and processing to retail and public catering, as well as actors from science, education, and civil society.

Synthesis and strategy development

The results generated through the participatory formats were systematically analysed and consolidated into a coherent draft of the food strategy. This draft links overarching strategic objectives with initial, implementation-oriented measures and reflects the cross-sectoral relevance of food policy. The participatory process brought together a broad evidence base, made differing interests visible, and contributed to coordination among key stakeholders. It illustrates how complex, cross-sectoral policy challenges can be addressed through structured participation and translated into concrete strategic frameworks.