Did you know that the collective noun for Bees is a Bike of Bees? Picture a swarm of bees flying in bicycle formation, but the actual reason is that the word “bike” is an old English word meaning a colony, nest, or swarm.

And now imagine an actual Bike of Bees in Berlin to help build the HFHP beehive!

From 4-8 September 2022 we are organising an HFHP Caravan with one ambitious goal:

TO BUILD THE CSO MOVEMENT POWER OF HFHP

In 2021, we co-created a strategic framework – thanks to 120 CSOs from all over Europe. And 2022 will be the year that CSOs weave it to life!

Over the course of 3 days (and 2 travel days) we will be creating together #beautifultrouble, feeling #deepconnections in a #nurturingenvironment. By the end of the Bike of Bees Caravan, you will have:

● Felt the buzz of being part of a vibrant and creative movement, creating a sense of belonging
● Jointly narrated the story of the movement, setting our vision, the problem we are tackling and how we create change together
● Co-created a set of key overarching demands, priorities and key messages
● Decided on the spaces needed to work together collaboratively, cross-sectorally and cross- country

Who are you?

We are looking for a magical mix of 15 to 20 changemakers and thought-leaders, artists, community and national leaders, farmers, health experts, journalists, funders, storytellers, campaigners and entrepreneurs who all are working towards overhauling food environments. Whether you do this through the lens of promoting regenerative agriculture, addressing food inequities, standing up for worker’s rights, campaigning for climate justice or promoting healthy, fair and sustainable diets, and whether local, regional or national – this invitation is for you!

We realise that 20 people can never reflect all the knowledge and experience across the movement. Therefore, we want to extend the invitation to those who want to support us from a virtual distance, calling on you during these 3 days as a sounding board and tapping into your knowledge and lived experience. For example, we may ask you for evidence why an approach has worked or not, we may ask for statistical inputs or we may ask you to validate a direction or proposal. This approach is to widen and deepen the connections in HFHP while being conscious of conflicting personal or professional priorities. In the application you can tell is if that is your preferred involvement.

We need this breadth and depth of people with different lived experiences and expertise as the challenge ahead of us can only be tackled collectively!

A further explanation is provided in the How to apply section.

What’s our offer

We are offering a unique opportunity to help shape and influence the direction HFHP as an emerging Pan-European movement may take. We do this by being together from 5-7 September (arriving on the 4th and returning on the 8th) in beautiful settings in Berlin, hosted by local groups and organisations, creating connections, being compassionately curious, learning new perspectives and all this while having fun.

We are committed to providing language and other support to make you feel at home.

Obviously, travel and accommodation are covered and in addition we acknowledge the time investment you are willing to make. For those present in Berlin, we offer a total of 500 Euro for your time for those people who need a participation fee. After all, some participants who are salaried by the NGOs they represent may not need, want or be able to accept the participation fee. At the same time, we recognise that grassroots community group representatives may be in a different situation for whom taking days off to participate may form a barrier. Please indicate on the form whether you need the participation fee and please note that your response will not have any impact on the selection process.

How to apply

Please complete the form below, which needs to be completed before 12th of July 5PM CET. The HFHP Coordination Team will be responsible for selection and notify you of the outcome before the 16th of July. If you are selected we will then be in touch with you regarding travel and other needs, will send you any reading and preparatory material and schedule a conversation on the materials in case you have questions.