1. Introduction
   

   Policies, legislations, and institutional arrangements are key enablers of food systems transformation. Convening multiple stakeholders vertically (across national and subnational stakeholders) and horizontally (across sectors) is increasingly becoming recognized as a critical enabler of food systems transformation. ISFAA is a key partner supporting the convening of stakeholders to facilitate knowledge sharing and policy influencing on agroecology, agrobiodiversity, and other nature-based solutions in Kenya and beyond. Since its inception, the model and experience gathered by ISFAA is immense, with countries like Uganda and subnational governments (counties) in Kenya reaching out to learn on ISFAA working models. The East Africa Agroecology conference is one chance that ISFAA could utilize to share ongoing processes and achievements in developing or reviewing agroecology policies and legislations, and convening multiple stakeholders to actively engage in such processes, especially on aspects of policy development and influencing, subnational engagements and knowledge dissemination.

   ISFAA is part of the conference organizing committee (COC) for the 1^st East Africa Agroecology Conference scheduled for March 21 – 24, 2023 at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. ISFAA is also moderating sub-theme 5 on Institutional and policy drivers for agroecology transformations at the conference. The conference therefore provides very good platform for ISFAA to organize a robust discussion and exchange on ongoing initiatives, multi-stakeholder convenings, and lessons learnt on setting up enabling policy, legislative, and institutional frameworks for upscaling and outscaling agroecology. ISFAA is therefore proposing to organize a side event at the conference and is seeking your support to realize the side event.

2.   Why the side event?

• To create awareness and sharing of ongoing initiatives and lessons learnt on enabling policy, legislative, and institutional frameworks for an agroecological transformation of food systems in Eastern Africa.
• To explore the configurations and role of multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) in catalyzing agroecological transformation
• To create awareness and visibility for ISFAA

3. How the side event would look like (structure)
   The proposed structure of the side event is as follows.

• Opening remarks; introduction of ISFAA (5 Mins)
• Presentations on ongoing initiatives to establish agroecology policies, strategies, legislations, and institutional frameworks: Kenya – Muranga county, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, etc.[1] (Focus will be on the drivers of the policy and institutional changes (agenda setting), key stakeholder groups/MSPs, key policy and/or legal provisions, challenges, opportunities, and lessons learnt) (40 Mins) 
• The role of MSPs in shaping the policy landscape and driving the AE agenda – a presentation on MSPs, and remarks by key MSPs including ISFAA (40 Mins)
• Panel discussion, Q & A session (30 – 45 minutes)
• Closing remarks and networking cocktail

Outcome: Report and policy brief on emerging policy, legislative, and institutional frameworks, and multistakeholder configurations and engagement in agroecology and food transformation processes in Eastern Africa