In Arusha, Tanzania, 126 global leaders, funders, and policymakers attended a groundbreaking gathering on regenerative agriculture and agroecology. The Presencing Institute (PI) played a key role in facilitating this transformative experience using Theory U, shifting the focus from theoretical discussions to actionable strategies.
A participant captured the impact: “This is the first time we focused on how to implement agroecology rather than just discussing its importance.”
Despite the fact that the gathering was centered in Tanzania and East Africa, it also provided a valuable setting for cross-regional learning by incorporating ideas from Brazil, India, and the Midwest. This exchange showcased the wealth of existing knowledge and technology in agroecology. The convening fostered over 900 new meaningful connections thanks to PI’s facilitation, which placed an emphasis on deep listening, reflective engagement, and systems thinking.
It also played a crucial role in bridging diverse participant experiences to speed up systemic transformation. In addition, 95% of attendees cited the site visits as a game-changer because they provided a foundation for agroecological solutions in Tanzania in the real world. Ten prototypes for accelerating regenerative agriculture were co-created by participants, with a focus on community-based agroecological solutions, market development, financing structures, and policy innovation. Here are three examples of prototypes that can drive meaningful impact, each shaped by Theory U’s emphasis on co-sensing, systems awareness, and collective action.
1. Regenerate Through Policy: Improving Africa’s Agroecological Strategies Why it’s important:
Without strong policy frameworks, agroecology struggles to move beyond small-scale interventions. This prototype focuses on finalizing and implementing national agroecology strategies by securing political buy-in, aligning resources, and integrating agroecology into national food security and climate policies.
How Things Work: Policy mapping to assess existing agroecological frameworks across Africa.
Governance structures to oversee policy implementation and accountability.
Capacity building for policymakers, civil society, and local governments.
Monitoring and evaluation to measure policy effectiveness and adaptation.
How Theory U Changed Things Instead of just talking about how better policies are needed, participants did a lot of deep thinking to figure out why previous policy efforts had stopped and what needed to change the momentum.
Potential Impact: This model institutionalizes the transition by incorporating agroecology into national and regional policies, ensuring that governments and funders will continue to support it. Agroecology has the potential to become the foundation for the transformation of Africa’s food systems with solid governance and financial backing.
2. Growing the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) in Tanzania for Agroecology Market Development Why it’s important:
Access to dependable markets and fair pricing is one of the greatest obstacles for smallholder agroecologists. Their products struggle to compete in formal markets dominated by industrial agriculture without certification.
How It Works:
extending the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) so that community-driven, cost-effective certification can be provided. Creating direct links between PGS-certified farmers and institutional buyers such as schools, hospitals, and tourism businesses.
Strengthening consumer awareness campaigns on local, chemical-free food.
How Theory U Changed Things Instead of focusing solely on market access barriers, Theory U enabled participants to step into the perspectives of farmers, buyers, and consumers — uncovering the trust and relationship gaps that hinder widespread adoption of PGS certification.
Potential Impact:
This prototype encourages sustainable farming and reduces reliance on costly external certification schemes by connecting agroecological farmers to stable markets. If widely adopted, it could reshape local food economies by prioritizing short supply chains, fair trade, and regenerative farming practices.
3. The Rapid Soil Health Doctor: Rethinking Farmers’ Knowledge Systems Why it’s important:
One of the greatest threats to food security and climate resilience is soil degradation. However, farmers frequently lack real-time insights into the health of their soil. Utilizing digital tools and farmer-led research, this prototype aims to close the knowledge gap.
How It Works:
Local farmer groups trained to diagnose soil health issues and recommend regenerative practices.
Utilization of digital platforms and WhatsApp for the exchange of knowledge in real time. partnerships with agroecology hubs and research institutions to guarantee scientific rigor Integration of traditional knowledge and modern soil health assessments.
How Theory U Made a Difference
Instead of assuming that farmers simply need more technical knowledge, Theory U revealed that the real challenge is how knowledge is shared and validated in local contexts.
Potential Impact:
This prototype enables farmers to become knowledge leaders rather than passive recipients of external advice by decentralizing expertise in soil health. Agroecology could become more accessible and adaptable to local contexts if scaled up, revolutionizing the production and dissemination of agricultural knowledge. Pathways that can be put into action to change food systems are represented by these prototypes. Whether through policy, finance, markets, knowledge systems, or funding alignment, each prototype addresses a structural barrier to agroecology adoption.
These innovations have the potential to pave the way for a global shift toward regenerative agriculture if they are nurtured and scaled up, demonstrating that systemic transformation is not only feasible but has already begun. Furthermore, Theory U is a catalyst for real-world change in addition to a methodology.
