What is innovative about your initiative?

What is innovative in the approach above is the emphasis on building a comprehensive coalition for food system transformation (Future Food 4 Climate), which involves numerous Civil Society organisations (CSOs) working together. Additionally, the focus on engaging local authorities in shaping food policies and promoting vegan meals in schools and preschools reflects a grassroots approach to food system change. The advocacy efforts at both the EU level, with a focus on Common Agricultural Policy and Sustainable Food System Law, and the global discourse through the European Vegan Summit demonstrate a multi-faceted strategy to drive systemic change. Furthermore, the emphasis on empowering the youth through the Green Advocacy Academy shows a commitment to the involvement of the next generation in climate action and food system reform.

How were you able to finance your work?

We regularly seek sponsors who are willing to support a just transformation. Currently, we are funded solely through grants.

What hurdles and obstacles did you encounter along your way and how did you deal with them?

The biggest obstacle and challenge lie in the absence of climate, health, and animal rights discussions that incorporate the issues of agriculture and the food system, creating space for change. Agriculture is often perceived as a distinct sector primarily focused on competitiveness. There is still a lack of a genuine conversation about the consequences of agricultural intensification, the impact of public funds on negative trends in food production, and support for industrial farms. What's missing is placing food and the plate at the centre of the debate, not as a private matter but as a public good and resource, while recognising its role as a driver of climate, health, and social crises. The plant-based sector is under-supported by both governments and the EU, often viewed as marginal.

What have you had particularly good experiences with? What recommendations would you like to share with other actors?

Building cooperation and a critical mass, an advocacy critical mass, within the Future Food 4 Climate coalition is all about creating a network of advocates for food system change. We highly value our collaboration with local councillors in our efforts to introduce access to vegan meals in educational institutions and to develop urban food policies. Our other programs, the European Vegan Summit and the Green Advocacy Academy, are complementary and reinforce our initiatives. Advocacy is at the core of REV, where we engage decision-makers. Ensuring access to healthy, plant-based food is a matter of addressing food poverty, food security, climate action, and the protection of so-called farm animals. Our efforts serve as a counterbalance to the lobbying activities of the animal agriculture industry. Our actions: REV has successfully engaged with more than 90 civil society organisations (CSO) in Poland and Ukraine, forming the Future Food 4 Climate coalition in December 2021. More than 60 CSOs are located outside Warsaw, more than 30 of them are led by youth. This coalition serves as a critical mass of organisations and individuals dedicated to addressing issues related to human rights, climate, biodiversity, and animal rights. The Green REV Institute has organised two events in 2023 in collaboration with Future Food 4 Climate (FF4C) partners in Wrocław and Krakow, which involved debates with council members on food-related topics and the improvement of the food system. REV’s involvement extends to a wide array of events and initiatives, including participation in the Congress of Women, the Active Planet Forum, meetings with the Ombudsperson, and consultations in Wrocław concerning food and Local Green Deals. We have also participated in events such as the Green Film Festival, the Krakow Academy of Climate, the Zero Carbon Conference, the Freedom Games, and others, where they have introduced discussions on food and sustainable food systems. REV has a strong history of engaging with EU, national and local decision-makers, local governments (over 15 councillors), and relevant authorities on issues related to local food policy, plant-based meals in schools, and sustainable food system programs. It actively participates in public consultations (EU and national ones) and contributes to legislative discussions on food system-related matters.

Are there any tools or other forms of support that have played a role for you?

We are part of informal coalition in Poland #WyboryDlazwierzat2023 (VoteforAnimals2023); with Compassion in World Farming Poland, Albert Schweitzer Foundation Poland, Eurogroup for Animals, and Open Cages. Together we built the pre-elections campaign focused on farmed animals and sustainable food system in Poland. We joined the project on supermarkets implemented by Feedback EU and we have been implementing the analysis and corporate advocacy towards the 5 biggest supermarkets in Poland.

Where do you see yourself/your organisation in a few years? How do you rate your future prospects?

We aim for the Green REV Institute and Future Food 4 Climate to be at the forefront of systemic change for agriculture and the food system. By 2028, we aspire to lead organisations dedicated to reforming the Common Agricultural Policy into a Common Food Policy. We want to establish the largest critical coalition for access to healthy food in Poland, collaborate with local authorities, engage in corporate advocacy, and, in doing so, steer changes towards food solidarity – for animals, humans, and the climate.

What are your demands for politicians?

• legislation for sustainable food system (food waste, public procurement, access to healthy, vegan food in public institutions, labelling for climate, animal rights & human rights);
• redirecting public funds: e.g CAP, European Regional Development Fund, Horizon 2020 to plant based sector from animal agriculture sector;
• closing factory farms and supporting local, plant based farmers and the transition to a plant based agriculture;
• changing Common Agriculture Policy into Common Food Policy;
• establishing funds for plant based sector;
• climate education should include food system education.