The Agroecology Legal Network for Africa is a key legal advocacy alliance for defending, promoting and integrating legal and policy frameworks that support agroecology into national and regional policies. Through strategic engagement in policy dialogues, legal research, public interest litigation and advocacy for a well governed agrifood system and fostering fairness and justice for all stakeholders through efficient rule of law and social accountability. The Network amplifies a movement of multi-stakeholders in Africa that champion the right to adequate food, seed sovereignty, and sustainable farming practices by uniting legal professionals, academia, law students, policymakers, development partners and Civil Society Organizations.
VISION AND MISSION
Vision
A strong resourced agroecology legal network fostering an agri-food system hinged on good governance and agroecology principles.
Mission
To promote an African agroecology law and policy alliance through legal advocacy, policy reform, strategic litigation, and knowledge exchange among legal professionals, civil society, academia, law students, development partners and policymakers.
OBJECTIVES
Main Objective
To establish an African Agroecology Legal Network for a robust legal and policy environment that supports the sustainable transition to agroecology in Africa, ensuring that food systems are sustainable, equitable, and aligned with human rights principles.
Specific Objectives
- To sustain a strong and well-resourced agroecology legal network in Africa
- To strengthen legal and policy frameworks at national, regional, and continental levels in Africa to support agroecology.
- To provide legal assistance and strategic litigation for the protection of farmers’ rights, indigenous seeds, and biodiversity.
- To advocate for the integration of agroecological principles into national and regional policies.
- To build the capacity of legal professionals, law students and policymakers on agroecological law and human rights.
- To promote public interest litigation to challenge laws and policies that threaten agroecology in Africa.
- To facilitate legal knowledge-sharing, research, and publications on agroecology law and policy.
SCOPE OF WORK.
The Agroecology Legal Network for Africa is dedicated to use legal advocacy, policy engagement, knowledge exchange and a human rights-based approach to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems to agroecology through community, regional and global interventions in the agri-food agenda. Our strategy focuses on key areas that guide our collective efforts in agri-food systems to ensure agroecological principles are upheld within legal, regulatory and policy frameworks across Africa. The Network is created to offer legal and advisory services to all Civil Society Organizations promoting agroecology and as well support governments at national, sub-regional and regional level in agroecology policy and law formulation and implementation
Supporting, Engaging, and Strengthening Our Members.
It is the Network’s priority to support, engage, and strengthen our members. Through legal institutional support, legal training, technical and tactical capacity-building initiatives, legal defence and collaborative platforms, we empower legal professionals, law students, civil society organizations, and policymakers at both local government, and regional governments to become champions for agroecological laws and policies. Our growing membership base ensures a unified voice in advocating for legal reforms that advance agroecology across Africa
Facilitating Co-Creation and Exchange of Knowledge.
The Network facilitates the co-creation and exchange of knowledge with multi-stakeholders including CSOs’ legal defense and by causing capacity building in the use of legal tools to promote sustainable agri-food system by bringing together legal experts, policymakers, and practitioners. Through research, legal analysis, and case studies, we provide critical insights on agroecological policies, land rights, and food sovereignty laws and policies. This work strengthens the legal foundation for agroecology and promotes informed decision-making.
Fostering Increased Investments in Agroecology.
We foster increased investments in agroecology by advocating for implementation of countries’ declaration for agriculture like the Malabo financial declaration of the African states under the African Union and legal incentives that prioritize sustainable agricultural practices. By engaging with national governments, regional bodies, and international institutions, we aim to mobilize and hold governments accountable for their constitutional mandates for both financial and other legal resources that benefit smallholder farmers, indigenous communities, and agroecological enterprises.
Advocating for and Amplifying Supportive Policies.
Our advocacy work amplifies the need for supportive policies that uphold the right to food, environmental protection, and sustainable land use. The Network actively engages in legal reviews, policy development, and strategic litigation to push for laws that protect agroecological practices and communities. We work closely with lawmakers to integrate agroecology into national and regional legal and policy frameworks.
Supporting and Promoting Market Pathways for Agroecology.
The Legal network addresses legal barriers to agroecology fair trade, organic certification, and market access. We acknowledge that the promotion of market pathways for agroecology is central to ensuring equitable food systems. We facilitate legal aspects of the smallholder farmers and agroecological producers reach broader markets. Legal and policy frameworks that protect and promote local food economies are essential to sustaining agroecology.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Agroecology Legal Network for Africa is open to legal professionals, organizations, and individuals globally that committed to advancing agroecology through legal and policy frameworks. Interested members can join by following the steps here below.
1. Sign the Declaration of Engagement.
Prospective members must commit to supporting legal and policy frameworks that advance agroecology by signing a declaration aligned with the 13 Principles of Agroecology.
2. Submit an application.
Interested individuals or organizations can fill out a membership form detailing their expertise, legal focus areas, and contributions to agroecological advocacy by clicking the button below
3. Review & Approval.
The network’s Steering Committee at the secretariat team will assess applications to ensure alignment with the network’s objectives.
4. Induction & Participation.
Approved members will be welcomed into the network, gaining access to legal resources, advocacy opportunities, and collaborative initiatives.
THEMATIC AREAS
The Agroecology Legal Network for Africa is committed to advancing agroecological transformations through legal and policy advocacy across the entire value chains in the agrifood systems approach (that is from pre-farm to fork). Recognizing the interconnected challenges of food insecurity, food sovereignty, environmental degradation, and social injustice, the Network seeks to promote legal frameworks that uphold;
- Public Interest Litigation, Legal Advocacy and defense for agroecology CSOs
Using legal advocacy and defense for agroecology CSOs, and strategic litigation to challenge laws, practices, industrial agriculture and policies that undermine agroecology and to promote progressive legal reforms.
- Right to Food and Nutrition
Advocating for the recognition and enforcement of the right to adequate food through agroecological practices that ensure food sovereignty, safety and food security.
- Agroecology and Environmental Justice
Promoting legal and policy frameworks that protect biodiversity, soil health, water resources, and ecosystems through sustainable agricultural practices.
- Land and Seed Sovereignty
Ensuring legal protections for farmers’ rights to land, indigenous seeds, and traditional knowledge while resisting land grabs and restrictive seed laws.
- Food Safety and Consumer Protection
Strengthening legal mechanisms to ensure food safety, regulate harmful chemicals and GMO’s in agriculture, and promote healthy diets through agroecological food systems.
- Trade and Investment in Agroecology
Advocating for fair trade policies, supporting smallholder farmers, and ensuring that investments in agriculture align with agroecological principles.
- Climate Justice and Resilience
Developing legal responses to climate change impacts on agriculture and supporting policies that integrate agroecology into national climate adaptation strategies.
- Youth and Gender in Agroecology
Promoting gender-sensitive legal frameworks and youth engagement to ensure inclusive participation in agroecological transformations.
GOVERNANCE
The Network operates under a Steering Committee composed of representatives from different regions and stakeholder categories. This inclusive governance structure ensures representation, accountability, and strategic direction for achieving the Network’s mission.