Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
The Alliance delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
Who we are
Our planet faces four interconnected global crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and malnutrition. Food systems are both a significant driver of these crises and a victim. Food systems can, and must, be part of the solution.
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) brings a dynamic, new and integrative approach to research for development, addressing the food system as a whole – not merely its component parts and individual symptoms. We do this by working at the nexus of agriculture, environment and nutrition to deliver impact at scale.
Our combined work adds up to more than 100 years of experience of applying science to address global challenges, long before they started to make headlines. Our expertise covers landscape-level environmental restoration and enhancement, to market systems, health and nutrition, and agricultural biodiversity characterization, conservation and use. The Alliance has a unique capacity to make a difference. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
What we work for
To achieve its vision of food systems and landscapes that sustain the planet, drive prosperity and nourish people, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform systems to improve people’s lives through four strategic objectives that contribute to helping:
- People consume diverse, nutritious, and safe foods
- People participate in and benefit from inclusive, innovative, and diversified agri-food markets
- People sustainably manage farms, forests, and landscapes that are productive and resilient to climate change
- Communities and institutions sustainably use and safeguard agricultural biodiversity
Alliance solutions also support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Global Biodiversity Targets, the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, and the Bonn Challenge, among other international initiatives.
How we do it
Our approach expands our role beyond research, and ensures that solutions we generate lead to wider development frameworks.
IMPACT AT SCALE. Our strategy, centered around levers for systemic change, is designed for impact at scale. We have results in mind from day one.
THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL. At the global level, we focus on understanding and anticipating global trends that have repercussions at the local level. At the local level, we seek solutions that anticipate or react to global trends but consider local dynamics.
CATALIZING AND CONVEINING PARTNERSHIPS. The complexity and size of the global challenges mean that no one can tackle them alone. Our success depends on partnerships, including governments, UN agencies, social enterprises, private sector, financial institutions, civil society, universities, and CGIAR. By working closely together, we co-create solutions that meet partners’ needs.
CAPACITY STRENGTHENING. We strive to deliver systemic change. To do so, we work with local communities, national agricultural research systems, universities, and the private sector to share knowledge, strengthen capacity and develop innovative tools and products.
NEW BUSINESS MODELS. We engage actors across the development spectrum by creating new business models with financial institutions, local governments and national programs, development banks, companies, environmental funds and universities.
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