Getting to know SISAN

SISAN – the National Food and Nutrition Security System – was created in 2006 by Law 11.346 of September 15, an Organic Law on Food and Nutrition Security that came to play an important role in creating and integrating policies and government bodies focused on FNS (food and nutrition security), while also fostering the inclusion and participation of civil society in carrying out these initiatives. Governed by the principles of participation and intersectorality, SISAN plays an important role in eradicating hunger in the country by monitoring and evaluating the population’s food situation.

This system is made up of the Intersectoral Chambers of Food and Nutrition Security (CAISAN) and the food and nutrition security councils (CONSEA) formed at the federal, state, and municipal levels. It also includes the national FNS conferences, which take place periodically and are preceded by state and municipal conferences. Private entities may join SISAN, provided they accept the terms of membership and commit to its principles.

Advantages of being a SISAN member

1. By joining SISAN, municipalities can take part in the PAA (Food Acquisition Program) in the purchase with simultaneous donation modality, which serves as an additional incentive for family farming.
2. It supports the tracking and monitoring of the FNS situation through the monitoring of indicators, programs, and budget.
3. It encourages civil society participation in the formulation and implementation of FNS policies.
4. It enables programs to be operated in an integrated way, with a systemic approach to FNS public policies to guarantee the HRAF (Human Right to Adequate Food).
5. Technical support for implementing SISAN and the FNS plan in the municipality.
6. Training and capacity building for officials, civil society, and professionals who serve as council members, through ongoing education.
7. It promotes quality of life for the population, with the exercise of citizenship, dignity, and health.

What to do to join SISAN

All Brazilian states and the Federal District have joined SISAN, and some municipalities have done so as well.

The requirements are:
Creation and operation of a municipal CONSEA, which must be composed of two-thirds civil society representatives and one-third government representatives, and must be chaired by a civil society representative.
Creation of a municipal CAISAN.
Preparation of the FNS plan within one year of signing the membership agreement.

Joining requires a few steps, and the process is overseen by the state CAISAN. The first is to have met the requirements. After that, the administration presents the proposal to join the national SISAN to the CONSEA, which must approve it; it is then submitted to the state CAISAN. After reviewing the documentation sent by the municipalities, the CAISAN forwards it to the state CONSEA and, following a favorable opinion, sends it for the municipal official’s consent. It will then send the national CAISAN the list of municipalities eligible to join SISAN, which will be endorsed and published.

Information on membership templates and other required documents can be accessed here.