This session will bring together the CGIAR Research Centers working under the VACS initiative, highlighting the recent key achievements and investments in coordination and implementation. The aim is to catalyze the ongoing and future work under the CGIAR VACS Portfolio as part of the VACS Implementers Group.
Launched in 2023, VACS is an initiative to diversify and enhance resilience of agrifood systems through climate-adapted and nutritious opportunity crops grown on healthy soils.
The VACS governance structure led by the Joint Partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CIMMYT on behalf of the CGIAR focuses on maximizing collective impact, aligning efforts, and promoting transparency with the goal to grow and strengthen the initiative. VACS leverages the complementary capabilities and networks of the CGIAR Research Centers, catalyzing actions across a wide range of public and private stakeholders aligned with the Theory of Change, This is accomplished through various areas of action, such as Breeding, Seed Systems, Conservation, Public-Private Partnerships, Soils, Smallholder Farmers’ Resilience, and Capacity Building, which align with the CGIAR Science Programs.
The implementation of VACS is designed to achieve the above goals through an Implementers Group made up of CGIAR, FAO, IFAD, and Crop Trust.
