These activators all follow a simple formula:
Define the problem. A core editorial group defines a set of specific short term challenges that must be overcome.
Mobilize. Key stakeholders are gathered from across the value chain—mixing food companies with scientists, academic institutions with NGOs— to develop solutions to this challenge in a six-month sprint.
Align. The group begins by uniting on shared values, which are then developed into mutually accepted core principles. The application of these principles is contextual, with sets of best practices emerging that are specific to each sector across the value chain.
Shared Language. The entire values/principles/practices exercise generates the core functional language for this sector. Agreement by all parties on these definitions leads to a machine-readable universal visual language to be used in multiple contexts. From here tools and applications can be built from this common framework.
Activate. The outcomes of the activator transforms the participants’ ideas into a collection of freely available open-source tools for the world to use.