Across West Asia and North Africa (WANA), food systems are under growing pressure, from wars and land grabbing to climate change and economic crisis. Yet, across the region, producers and consumers continue to build alternatives rooted in trust, solidarity, and care for the land.
URGENCI embarked on a journey with its local partners to explore and map Local and Solidarity-based Partnerships for Agroecology (LSPA) in seven countries of the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. The aim of the mapping was to document existing LSPA models and practices in the WANA region, amplify inspiring initiatives, and support food communities with data to strengthen awareness and advocacy for more sustainable and just food systems.
The term Local and Solidarity-Based Partnerships for Agroecology – LSPA was coined by URGENCI members to describe direct, fair, and sustainable relationships between agroecological producers and eaters/consumers. These partnerships offer consumers access to fresh, healthy, locally grown produce, while enabling farmers to protect the environment, preserve product quality, and ensure a decent livelihood.
The mapping report is structured in three complementary parts:
- A regional overview of LSPA in the WANA region with main trends and typology
- Country-level insights highlighting national contexts and trends
- In-depth case studies showcasing concrete practices and lived experiences
While not exhaustive, the mapping captures a diverse range of initiatives (farms, farmers markets, responsible food intermediaries) and reflects the realities of working under complex social, economic, and political conditions.
One of the clearest lessons emerging from this mapping is that the strength of LSPA initiatives in the WANA region lies in community support and collective action. Despite immense challenges, the mapped initiatives continue to demonstrate perseverance and adaptation. Their experience demonstrates that building sustainable partnerships requires patience, alignment with the slower rhythms of the land, and continuous learning through experimentation. At the same time, many initiatives have learned that relying solely on volunteer work can lead to fatigue, highlighting the importance of finding a balance that ensures both community engagement and long-term stability. The full report is available in English, Arabic and French.