Ana Benoliel Coutinho

Under this grant provided by the European Climate Foundation I have been

• Designing curriculum for agroecology schools for farmers and extension officers to achieve a series of environmental, climate, economic and social goals on farm (including monitoring framework and respective KPIs, especially through agroforestry).
• Building and developing agroecology coalition in Moldova (designing MoU and governance framework)
• Strengthening collaboration between the experts for an agroecology curriculum for community agroecology schools.
• Strengthening synergy between CSO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry in Moldova in framework of MoU for agroecology and respective monitoring framework.

My work with Nyeleni (under its agreement with FAO REU) consisted in:

• Elaborating the concept of CSO consultation for the CSO delegation at the Regional Ministerial Conference FAO ERC34
• Conducting the CSO consultation, and structuring its inputs and formulating its position
• Delivering the CSO statement at the Regional Ministerial Conference FAO ERC34 in Rome, Italy
• Lobbying and advocating for agroecology at the Conference.

• I have conducted a Green Transition Assessment for national agriculture and food systems (under the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, F2F).
• I have specifically analyzed the cross-sectoral governance at government level, as well as engagement and coordination with non-state actors, especially Civil Society Organizations.
• Another key area of my analysis included strategic planning at national level for F2F. I have provided specific recommendations for the improvement of the framework to increase efficiency in national expenditure for agriculture, and related health and environmental issues.
• I have elaborated a better vertical and horizontal strategic framework for F2F which will ensure success of established objectives and targets at the national level - an innovative holistic approach to agriculture and food governance indispensable for food and nutrition security, but also for the sustainable livelihoods and green and inclusive economy.

Under this project financed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) within Regional Initiative on Sustainable Natural Resource Management under a changing climate, I

• Designed and managed the entire project for the creation of resilient seed systems and for capacity development of organic farmers, researchers and other actors in the area of farm biodiversity, and better natural resource management in agriculture.
• Facilitated meetings between stakeholders to discuss project requirements, objectives or outcomes.
• Developed and maintained project plans, schedules and budgets to ensure successful completion of the project.
• Provided direction, guidance and support to team members throughout the duration of projects.
• Maintained a detailed database of project information including budgeting, resources and deliverables.
• Developed and implemented project plans, established timelines, tracked progress and ensured deadlines were met.

Under the grant of UNDP Czech Challenge Fund, I have

• Designed and managed the entire project which included a series of activities related to strengthening farmers capacity in better on farm biodiversity management.
• Coordinated and improved synergy between multiple stakeholders regarding on farm biodiversity (farmers, researchers, public authorities)
• Developed and maintained project plans, schedules and budgets to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Provided direction, guidance and support to team members throughout the duration of projects.
• Managed communication channels between various teams involved in the execution of complex projects.

Under the contract with the Agroecology Europe, I

• Identified the relevant stakeholders and initiatives for agroecology mapping in Moldova
• Monitored the smooth implementation of agroecology mapping and reporting

Under this project with FAO REU (Regional Initiative on Sustainable Natural Resource Management under a changing climate)

• Designed experience capitalisation activities on permaculture and community seeds in Europe and Central Asia.
• Coordinated and cleared permaculture and community seeds good practice factsheets, and permaculture practical manual.
• Organized regional multi-stakeholder webinar on permaculture, community seeds production and foraging plants.

Under this project with FAO Moldova, I

• Elaborated the concept of the cross-sectoral international agroecology conference involving the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and subordinate government bodies, and coordinated its implementation.
• Elaborated and implemented the cross-sectoral food systems consultations and a raising awareness campaign on agroecology and food systems that involved the Ministry of Agriculture, but also the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

During my traineeship at the EESC's Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (NAT), I contributed to the work of the EESC on a variety of topics, including biodiversity, circular economy and climate change in a variety of ways:

• provided administrative support in logistics for in-house meetings and events,
• conducted research, drafted briefings, attended events and took meeting minutes,
• assisted the unit in preparation of communication material of internal (e.g., fact sheets, briefings) and external (e.g., power point presentation, videos, twitter) character,
• assisted in preparation of the mission to the UNFCCC COP25
• contributed to the organization of numerous events, including on sustainable Europe by 2030, bioeconomy, food policy, new economic models, climate justice and financing the transition to a low-carbon economy,
• organized a high-level trainee conference on biodiversity, involving European Commission, Member of the European Parliament, IUCN and other international institutions.

I mainly assisted the European Union (EU) Affairs Manager (the Secretariat) in

• organization of the meetings of the European Parliament Intergroup on "Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development" (CCBSD), and writing minutes of the meetings and reports for these
• monitoring EU environmental policies, and namely by following closely European Parliament Environment Committee and others for specific environmental topics (writing press reviews), taking part in relevant events and developing partnerships, and assisting the Secretariat by doing research on environmental subjects related to the members and activities of the CCBSD Intergroup.