The Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism (CSM) for relations with the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS) is the largest international space of civil society organisations (CSOs) working to eradicate food insecurity and malnutrition.
The CSM was founded in 2010, as an essential and autonomous part of the reformed CFS. The purpose of the CSM is to facilitate civil society participation and articulation into the policy processes of the CFS.
The CSM is an open and inclusive space and hence does not have formal members, but participating organizations. Every organization that belongs to civil society and works on food security and nutrition can join and participate. During the past years, several hundred national, regional or global organizations have participated in the CSM.
All participating organizations in the CSM belong to one of the following 11 constituencies: smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolks, indigenous peoples, agricultural and food workers, landless, women, youth, consumers, urban food insecure and NGOs.
The CSM…
- …gives priority to the organizations and movements of the people most affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, recognizing that they are the organizations of the rights-holders that are the subjects of their own development and also the most important contributors to food security and nutrition worldwide.
- …respects pluralism, autonomy, diversity and self-organisation and tries to ensure a balance of constituencies, gender, and regions.
- …as a space does not represent the organizations that participate in it. They represent themselves and articulate positions together with others in the CSM. The participating organizations, particularly those who organize small-scale food producers and consumers, have more than 300 millions affiliated members from all continents.
Download a presentation of the CSM
Read CSM’s Guide to Facilitation (2021) and Common understanding on Facilitation (2020)
The CSM in the reformed CFS
CSM Structure
Constituencies: the global and sub-regional units
The CSM is based on 11 constituencies: Smallholders Farmers, Pastoralists/Herders, Fisherfolks, Indigenous Peoples, Consumers, Urban Food Insecure, Agricultural and Food Workers, Women, Youth, Landless, NGOs.
Participation of civil society organizations is articulated through global and sub-regional units. The global units (constituencies) bring together the global and continental organizations and networks of each sector, while the sub-regional units bring together civil society organizations that have work on food security in the specific sub-region, from all constituencies. This articulation aims to ensure inclusiveness and active involvement of all national, regional and global levels.
The CSM 17 sub-regions are the following: North America, Central America and Caribbean, Andean Region, Southern Cone, West Europe, East Europe, North Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, West Africa, South Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Australasia and Pacific.
The Coordination Committee (CC) is the governing body of the CSM; this means that all relevant political decisions within the CSM, on internal and external issues, are taken by the CC by consensus, if possible, and by vote if a consensus is not possible, reporting the divergent view. The Members of the CSM Coordination Committee are elected by the 11 constituencies and 17 sub-regions (5 sub-regions in Africa, 4 sub-regions in the Americas, 6 sub-regions in Asia and 2 sub-regions in Europe). Gender and geographic balance within its composition is always ensured.
- The CC consists of 29 members (as of November 2021) from the 11 constituencies and 17 sub-regions.
- The role of CC members is to facilitate the work of CSOs within their constituencies and sub-regional groups.
- The CC is responsible for ensuring that the functions of the CSM are carried out effectively as possible and according to the organizing principles. Ensuring a two-way communication process.
- The CC perform this role by sharing information, facilitating dialogue and consultations, supporting analysis and advocacy at national and regional level.
The Coordination Committee for the period October 2021 – October 2023
| CONSTITUENCY | NAME | ORGANISATION | COUNTRY | ALTERNATES |
| Smallholders and family farmers |
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| Pastoralists and herders |
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| Fisherfolks |
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| Indigenous Peoples |
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| Consumers |
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| Agricultural and Food Workers |
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| Urban Food Insecure |
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| Landless |
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| Youth |
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| Women |
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| NGO |
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| SUB-REGION | NAME | ORGANISATION | COUNTRY | ALTERNATES |
| North America |
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| Central America and Caribbean |
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| Andean Region |
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| Southern Cone |
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| West Europe |
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| East Europe |
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| North Africa |
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| Central Africa |
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| East Africa |
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| Southern Africa |
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| West Africa |
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| South Asia |
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| South East Asia |
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| Central Asia |
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| West Asia |
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| Australasia |
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| Pacific |
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LVC: La Via Campesina
COPROFAM: Confederación de Organizaciones de Productores Familiares del Mercosur
AFA: Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development
FIMARC: International Federation of Rural Adults Catholic Movements
ARWC: Asian Rural Women Coalition
WAMIP: World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples
WFFP: World Forum of Fisher Peoples
WFF: World Forum of Fish Harversters and Fish Workers
IITC: International Indian Treaty Council
IPACC: The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee
IUF: International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association
HIC: Habitat International Coalition
APC: Asian Peasant Coalition
LRC: Land Research Center
IFSN: International Food Security Network
MAELA: Movimineto Agroecológico de America Latina y el Caribe
FENACOPEC: Federación Nacional de Cooperativas Pesqueras del Ecuador
CLOC: Coordinadora Latinoamericana de Organizaciones del Campo
SYNAGRI: Syndicat des Agriculteurs de Tunisie
PROPAC: Plateforme Regionale des Organisations Paysannes d’Afrique Centrale
ESAFF: Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers’ Forum
ROPPA: Reseau des Organisations Paysanne et de Producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest
PCFS: People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty
KESSFF: Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum
ESAPN: Eastern and Souther African Pastoralists Network
PoetCom:Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community
AFSA: Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance
WMW: World March of Women
The Coordination Committee in the period 2017-2019 was composed of 21 women and 18 men. To see its composition please click on CC Members 2017-2019.
The Coordination Committee in the period 2015-2017 was composed of 20 women and 19 men. To see its composition please click on CC Members 2015-2017.
The Coordination Committee in the period 2013-2015 was composed of 20 women and 18 men. To see its composition in October 2014 please click on CC List October 2014.
The Policy Working Groups (WG) are a fundamental part of the CSM work. The Working Group is the space where political inputs to CFS processes are articulated, debated, constructed, analysed and confronted. The aim, starting from the pluralities of expertise, knowledge and points of view, is to build a civil society common position to be brought to the CFS inter-sessional and plenary decision-making and policy debate activities. Working Groups are established in relation to the CFS processes approved in the Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPoW). Working Groups are open to all participating organizations of the CSM and ideally comprise organizations from all global constituencies and sub-regions. Each of the WG is led by one or two coordinators who are members of the CC and is usually supported by technical facilitators and resource persons.
Visit the dedicated page of each Working Group to learn more about CSM’s position and related CFS processes.
Read the Draft Guidelines on common policy positions and messages through the CSM.
The CSM Advisory Group (AG) is elected by and within the Coordination Committee every two years. The CSM has 4 seats within the CFS Advisory Group. The CSM appoints 8 members of the CSM AG who then attend CFS AG meetings on a rotational basis. As its name suggests, the CSM Advisory Group advises both the CFS Bureau on its policy decision making processes by consolidating, facilitating and sharing the CSOs common positions on CFS policy issues, and the CSM CC by informing its policy debate, being the direct link with the CFS Bureau and Advisory Group during the inter-sessional period. The CSM Advisory Group meets for a face-to-face meeting prior to each Joint CFS AG/Bureau Meeting, in order to articulate CSM common contributions on each topic of the CFS AG/Bureau meeting agenda.
The CSM Advisory Group members for the period October 2019-October 2021 are:
- Azra Sayeed – International Women’s Alliance (IWA), Pakistan
- Elmira Mambetova – IUF, Kyrgyzstan
- Mosa F. Sowe – ROPPA, Gambia
- Ruth Gaha-Morris, AFSA, Australia
- Alberto Broch – COPROFAM, Brazil
- Emeline Siale Ilolahia, PIANGO, Fiji
- Saul Vicente Vázquez – International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), Mexico
- Nettie Wiebe – La Via Campesina (LVC), Canada
- Christiana Louwa – WFFP, Kenya
- Ramona Dominicioiu – La Via Campesina (LVC), Romania
- André Luzzi – HIC, Brazil
- Khalid Khawaldeh – WAMIP, Jordan
Read the Terms of Reference of the CSM Advisory Group members
- Azra Sayeed – International Women’s Alliance (IWA), Pakistan
- Rodolfo González Greco – CLOC/LVC, Argentina
- Editrudith Lukanga – World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF), Tanzania
- Nadjirou Sall – Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA), Senegal
- Alberto Broch – COPROFAM, Brazil
- Mariam Aljaajaa – Arab Network for the Protection of Nature (APN), Jordan/Lebanon
- Saul Vicente Vázquez – International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), Mexico
- Nettie Wiebe – La Via Campesina (LVC), Canada
- Nathanael Buka Mupungu – PROPAC, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ramona Dominicioiu – La Via Campesina (LVC), Romania
- Nadjirou Sall – Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA)
- Taina Hedman Perez – International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)
- Naseegh Jaffer – World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP)
- Imogen Ebsworth – Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance
- Adwoa Sakyi – International Union of Food Workers (IUF)
- Javier Sánchez – La Via Campesina International
- Rodolfo Gonzalez Greco – Coordinadora Latinoamericana de Organizaciones Campesinas (CLOC)
- Alberta Guerra – ActionAid International
- Javier Sánchez – La Via Campesina International
- Svetlana Boincean – International Union of Food Workers (IUF)
- “Mani” Jorge Stanley Icaza – International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)
- Djibo Bagna – Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA)
- Zoila Bustamante – World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF)
- Laljibhai Desai – World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous People (WAMIP)
- Razan Zuayter – Arab Network for Food Sovereignty
- Maria Noel Salgado – Movimiento Agroecológico de América Latina y el Caribe (MAELA)
The Coordination Committee is ultimately responsible for overseeing the financial and administrative work of the CSM on behalf of all CSM members. However, recognising the time constraints that they face in overseeing the work on a routine basis, the CC decided to establish a Finance and Administration sub-working group of the Coordination Committee. The CSM Finance Working Group (FWG) is elected together with the Coordination Committee and the Advisory Group every two years.
Finance Working Group members for the period 2019-2021
- Rony Joseph – Coordination Committee Member
Justus Lavi Mwololo – Coordination Committee Member
André Luzzi – Coordination Committee Member
Verdiana Morandi – Coordination Committee Member
Read the Terms of Reference of the CSM Finance and Administrative Working Group Members
- Thierry Kesteloot – Coordination Committee Member
- Gabriela Cruz – Coordination Committee Member
- Rony Joseph – Coordination Committee Member
- Adwoa Sakyi – Coordination Committee Member
- Thierry Kesteloot – Coordination Committee Member
- Gabriela Cruz – Coordination Committee Member
- Naseegh Jaffer – Advisory Group Member
- Adwoa Sakyi – Advisory Group Member
The CSM Secretariat guarantees CSM daily functioning. It offers a technical support to the work of the Coordination Committee, Advisory Group and Working Groups by facilitating the communication flow, ensuring the effective coordination of all CSM bodies and respecting of CSM organizing principles and internal functioning guidelines and by administrating the financial resources and logistics arrangements necessary. A Coordinator, a Financial/ Administrative Officer, a Programme Officer and a Communications officer compose the Secretariat. The office is based in Rome and is hosted within FAO Headquarters. The Secretariat reports directly to the Coordination Committee.
A professional and long-term collaborating team of interpreters and translators supports the daily work of the Secretariat, by enabling the translation of all CFS documents and CSM messages and the interpretation of all meetings in Spanish, French and English.
To contact the CSM Secretariat please write to [email protected]
Coordinator: Martin Wolpold-Bosien
Programme Officer: Teresa Maisano
Financial and Administrative Officer: Luca Bianchi
Communications Officer: Marion Girard
No vacancies are available at the moment.
Each year the CSM holds its Annual Forum prior to the CFS Plenary Session and it is open to all interested civil society participants of the CSM. This two-days forum is a fundamental moment and space for the CSM. At the Forum, CSOs are able to debate, consolidate, articulate and finalise their positions that will be shared and brought to the CFS Plenary Session. Prior to the Annual Forum the CSM CC holds its annual meeting. The Forum is as well a space for accountability, where CC members report to all participating CSOs about their work, performance and activities. Finally the CSM forum is the space to assess the past processes, to consolidate the common positions for the present and to identify the key challenges and steps forward for the future.
2010:
2011
2012
- Agenda of the CSM Forum
- Summary Report of the CSM Forum
- Guidelines for CSO participation in the CFS 39
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
This Section on CSM Guidelines includes a number of documents that orient the internal proceedings of the CSM. They were agreed by consensus in the CSM Coordination Committee, if not otherwise indicated. In case of a vote in the CSM Coordination Committee, the document as approved by the majority decision is published here, but also the divergent position of the minority is documented, if this was requested. If the document is introduced as “draft”, it has not been adopted by the CSM CC yet.
- CSM Guidelines on Internal Functioning
- Divergent position on CSM Guidelines on Internal Functioning
- Draft CSM Guidelines for facilitating common policy positions and messages through the Civil Society Mechanism
- Terms of Reference for the Advisory Group members
- Terms of Reference of CSM Finance and Administrative Working Group Members
- Draft Terms of Reference for the Coordination Committee
Just as civil society promote accountability from government donors, institutions and the private sector, we too are committed within the Civil Society Mechanism to ensure accountability to CSOs worldwide and to our donor partners. We strive to maintain the highest level of transparency and inclusiveness in the CSM’s decision making processes as well as in the management of funds. In saying so, you can find the CSM’s yearly programme of work and our Annual Report in the below.
The CSM engaged in a process of reflection and evaluation with its CC members from March to July 2014. You can find here the Evaluation Report of the CSM produced by Patrick Mulvany and Christina Schiavoni.
In 2017 the CSM commissioned an independent evaluation that was published in September 2018 and presented and discussed during the CC meeting and the CSM Forum of October. The CSM Evaluation was conducted by Priscilla Claeys and Jessica Duncan.
For more information on internal decision-making procedures, please refer to our “Internal Guidelines and ToRs” Section in this same page.
Since the constitution of its first Coordination Committee in May 2011 the CSM was financed mainly by governments and international institutions active into the CFS. More than 85% of the resources provided to the CSM from 2011 to 2019 where given by the following donors: the European Union, the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency, Germany, Brazil, Norway, Spain, Italy, France. IFAD and FAO also supported the CSM activities with both financial and in kind contributions, by hosting CSM CC meetings, CSM Fora and in general CSM preparatory meetings to CFS events.
Finally Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and NGO active into the CSM also contributed importantly to the CSM financing not only providing almost the 15% of its financial resources during the period 2011-2019 but also providing in-kind contributions and directly covering the costs of the participation and active engagement of its own members to the Annual CSM Fora and CFS meetings.
Consult a more detailed overview of the CSM financial contributions during the period 2011-2019 here