ALiSEA Leaders meet in Vietnam to discuss the future of the Agroecology Learning Alliance in SEA
ALiSEA Regional Agroecology Field Visit and Strategic Coordination Meeting
How can a regional network ensure effective, inclusive, and financially sustainable action in a rapidly changing context? This was one of the key questions at the heart of the ALiSEA Regional Agroecology Field Visit and Strategic Coordination Meeting, held from 25 to 29 May 2026, in Dong Thap province, southern Vietnam. Bringing together more than 32 representatives from across the Mekong region, the gathering marked the first time that ALiSEA’s national executive teams and newly elected national board members met at the regional level. Through a combination of field visits, knowledge exchange, and strategic dialogue, participants explored options for the network’s future governance and sustainability.
Presentations:
A central focus of the meeting was a strategic consultation on ALiSEA’s future. Participants explored three potential governance and financial sustainability scenarios, each presenting a different vision for how the network could be structured, funded, and managed in the years ahead. The discussions sparked lively exchanges among ALiSEA representatives from 20 member organizations, who brought diverse experiences, priorities, and perspectives shaped by their national contexts. Participants also reviewed national and regional policy priorities, identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration and amplify agroecology advocacy efforts across member countries. The meeting also highlighted collaborations developed with several of ALiSEA’s key partners, including CDE, AsiaDHRRA, and AFA, while opening discussions on new partnership opportunities for the future. Participants further emphasized that fostering active collaboration among member organizations remains the foundation of the network’s vitality, relevance, and long-term sustainability.
A dedicated session brought together National Secretariats and Knowledge Management (KM) coordinators to review the draft ALiSEA Knowledge Management Strategy (2026–2028+) and advance the operationalization of the Knowledge Hub. Participants identified priority actions for the KM roadmap, discussed ongoing challenges in data contribution, and agreed on measures to strengthen the quality and consistency of knowledge products. The session also introduced a modular coaching approach to help network members transform field experiences into policy, research, and practice briefs.
The field visit took participants to several agroecological initiatives across Dong Thap province. These included the Ba Sao Cooperative, which, with the support of Seed to Table, has been promoting certified organic vegetable production through the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), establishing a reliable supply chain delivering an average of 1–2 tons of organic vegetables per month to the domestic market. The group also visited the Mango Trail—a farm-and-stay enterprise combining fruit production with youth-led agroecology projects. The visit also included Tràm Chim National Park, a Ramsar wetland, where participants explored an agro-tourism initiative connecting local farmers with visitors as a model for alternative rural livelihoods.
As the meeting concluded, participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening ALiSEA as a dynamic, inclusive, and member-driven regional network. The rich exchanges and strategic discussions fostered a deeper understanding across governance levels and generated valuable recommendations that will help shape preparations for the Regional General Assembly in Cambodia in late 2026.
The meeting was organized by GRET, PHANO, DPA, PAKA, and Uni4Coop/Eclosio, with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Belgium’s Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD).