Stakeholder mapping analysis involves carrying out an inventory of relevant stakeholders (individuals and organisations) in the CRFS, at all food system nodes – both direct stakeholders in food value chains and indirect stakeholders, such as officers in various government departments, NGOs, community-based organisations, universities and research institutes, etc. 

In addition to identifying stakeholders, stakeholder mapping analysis aims to find out:  

• the mandate/mission of each stakeholder and/or their organisation, and their main area of operation;  
• their actual involvement in the food system or in relation to it, and relevant past, on-going and planned activities; 
• their views on the functioning of the food system and its vulnerabilities; 
• their views on current trends and the desired development to enhance resilience and sustainability of the food system, including constraints, needs, priorities, and strategies;
• their human, financial or other resources that may be leveraged; 
• existing formal and informal relations and networks between the different stakeholders.

The project team can analyse this information to:  

• identify relevant stakeholders who should be engaged in the CRFS assessment and planning process; 
• start engaging these stakeholders in the process; 
• understanding relations between stakeholders, including cooperation and conflicts, as a basis for improving cooperation; 
• start understanding the institutional and policy context of the city region. 

The following tools will help with conducting the stakeholder mapping analysis: 

Template: Table for collating stakeholder data  

This table allows the project team to draw up a preliminary list of stakeholders and to start collating basic information drawn from reliable sources.   

Explainer: the food systems approach 

An explanation of the food systems approach, including how contextual factors condition the experiences of stakeholders, processes and relationships, and how outcomes of activities and interactions in value chains contribute to contextual factors.

Workshop activities: Building stakeholder understanding of food systems

Three activities that can be conducted during multi-stakeholder workshops at different stages in the CRFS process, together with blank worksheets.

Template: Table for ensuring representation in stakeholder interviews

This table allows the project team to count the number of stakeholders proposed for interviews, to identify where there were gaps and/or over-representation in the stakeholder group. 

Template: Stakeholder interview guide and profile sheet  

This document sets out some suggested questions for stakeholder interviews, and provides a template stakeholder profile sheet for collating responses. The profile sheet includes space for interviewee analysis of responses.  

Examples: Pilot cities’ stakeholder maps

This document has been adapted from the stakeholder map developed in Colombo. The project team in Colombo consulted selected CRFS stakeholders individually to collect their views regarding the current food system and their work on resilience (mandated activities and engagement in the CRFS in relation to climate shocks and stresses).

Template: written report on stakeholder mapping analysis  

This document helps the project team to develop a brief report on the CRFS stakeholder mapping and analysis at all the food system nodes. It is a proposal and can be adapted as deemed necessary. 

Training unit 3: Participatory multi-stakeholder processes

This training unit explains what is meant by participatory multi-stakeholder approach of the CRFS programme; establishes who is involved and the rationale for it; instructs project teams on how to identify, engage, and enable involvement of stakeholders.