For some time now, we have been working to create a charity that will hold the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference, giving it financial stability and extending its reach. But what do we stand for, exactly? A chance to explore that question came at a recent session in the Wellbeing Economy Cymru pre-election series, where we were invited to set out our thoughts for what the next government should do. You can view the recording here. 

Speakers from Food Sense Wales, Our Food Trust and Bwyd Sir Gar all argued for a joined-up food policy that links healthy eating with sustainable farming, building community and caring for the natural world in the process. Food security was also a strong focus. This is an inspiring vision which CyFAN Cymru strongly supports, but we highlighted something deeper than policy alone: the need for more spaces where people can come together to talk, reflect and shape the future collectively.

Looking at the “how”, not just the “what” 

An important theme in this discussion is the need to move beyond what food policy should be and focus more deeply on how change happens. 

Wales already has a strong legislative foundation in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which calls for long-term thinking, prevention, and the involvement of people in decisions that affect them. But legislation alone is not enough. The real challenge is creating meaningful ways for people to participate. 

This means rethinking how we engage the public, not as passive consumers, but as active citizens with both a voice and a responsibility. It means creating spaces where people feel confident to contribute, where their perspectives are valued, and where they can shape the future of food and farming in Wales. 

Creating the spaces where change can happen 

If there is one idea that stands out, it is this: change requires the right kind of space. Not just more meetings, but better ones. Spaces where: 

  • people feel heard  
  • power is shared  
  • conversations lead to action  

The format of engagement matters. Moving meetings outdoors, sitting in circles, creating moments for reflection, these are not small details. They fundamentally shift how people relate to each other and to the issues being discussed. In these spaces, people are not there to complain. They are there to take responsibility. 

This reflects a deeper shift that CyFAN Cymru is advocating for: moving from a society of consumers to a society of citizens. One where people feel a sense of belonging, not only to their communities, but to the natural world itself. 

Because we are not separate from nature. We are part of it. 

Why becoming a charity matters now 

As this work has grown, so too has the need for a more stable foundation. 

Until now, CyFAN Cymru’s activity and especially the annual Wales Real Food and Farming Conference has been supported through a combination of individual efforts and sponsorship. While this has enabled momentum, it is not enough to sustain the level of facilitation and community-building that is needed. 

This is why CyFAN Cymru is in the process of becoming a charity. Becoming a charity will make it possible to: 

  • provide a more secure footing for the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference and ensure it can continue to grow  
  • build and nurture a food culture throughout the year  
  • support the public to get involved in shaping policy and bottom-up development 

In this sense, the charity is not just a structure. It is an extension of the values that underpin our work. 

Looking ahead 

As Wales moves towards the next election, the conversation about a wellbeing economy can become abstract or top-down. What CyFAN Cymru offers is something different: a grounded, community-led approach that starts with people, relationships and place. 

Setting up as a charity is part of making that work sustainable. It is about ensuring that the spaces, connections and momentum that have been built so far can continue to grow. 

Because actual change does not happen overnight. It happens when people come together, take responsibility, and begin to imagine and build a different future. 

Could you help us grow CyFAN Cymru? We need trustees and volunteers who can help with fundraising, publicity and organisation. Email us at post@cyfancymru.wales.

Image: The Wales Real Food and Farming Conference, by Jeremy Moore.