Foresight
In a world of complexity and uncertainty, there is no way to know what the future holds. Our Foresight Practice can help you explore the possibilities, and create anticipatory and adaptive approaches to problem solving.
An illustrative selection of our work in Foresight is provided below. Reach out to learn more about the hundreds of other projects we've supported.
Foresight and Scoping Process for Research Investment
Designing a scoping process with foresight and systems tools to determine parameters for future investment.
Through our foresight practice, we developed a custom scoping process for Canada’s International Development Research Center’s (IDRC) freshly launched Climate-Resilient Food Systems Program (CRFS) to refine the focus of future programming. In collaboration with the CRFS team we designed a decision support toolkit which included systems tools and foresight exercises, all tested and piloted by our team. This engagement resulted in the custom process and toolkit being used to make strategic decisions on research themes, geographies of focus for research, and approaches to building southern leadership.
Food Bank of the Hudson Valley x Food Systems Foresight
Engaging in discussions on how to secure resilient food systems in the future.
In the context of two systematic shocks — COVID-19 and racial tensions rippling across the United States — we collaborated with the Food Systems Dialogues International Secretariat to host an online dialogue event on New York's Hudson Valley.
Through our Foresight Practice, we engaged with 53 local food systems actors to provide direct and diverse perspectives and insights on local food systems. Check out the full summary report for more details.
Climate and Food in 2050
Developing a new vision for the role of food in addressing climate change.
We know the climate is changing, that these changes signal far reaching consequences for our food system, and that the production, processing, and distribution of food is a significant contributor to these changes.
Through our Foresight Practice, we worked with senior specialists in a leading multilateral development bank to explore new possibilities for the future of our food system in the context of a changing climate, and to strategize about how to better deploy the nearly USD 7 billion in financing the organization invests in agriculture on an annual basis.
Investing in Nutritious Food Systems
Identifying promising innovations for healthier people and planet.
In an uncertain future it is impossible to know which opportunities presenting themselves today will drive progress on the goals we want to achieve. But through our Foresight Practice we worked with the policy director of an iNGO to develop a process for understanding the landscape of leading edge food innovations.
Together, with a panel of more than 30 global experts, our process honed in on the 12 innovations with the greatest potential to help the world achieve its ambitions for a healthier food system.