Team Blog Writing: Telling the Story of Food Systems in Practice
As part of the Food Systems in Practice training, teams are invited to share their collective learning through a team blog. This post offers guidance, structure, and a short video tutorial to support teams in writing clear and engaging blogs.
In the Food Systems in Practice training, participants do not simply explore concepts. They work in teams to engage with real-world cases, applying systems thinking tools to unpack complexity, challenge assumptions, and identify meaningful entry points for action.
From proposing and refining a case, to mapping stakeholders and food systems, to identifying leverage points—each step is part of a deeper learning journey. But just as important as the analysis itself is the ability to reflect on that journey and communicate it effectively.
This is where the team blog comes in.
How to write an engaging Team Blog?
Watch the short video guide below. It will show you how to choose your focus and how to write effectively as a team. The video also illustrates a suggested structure and key elements for your blog.
More Than a Reflection—A Shared Story
Unlike individual blogs, team blogs are not about isolated perspectives. They bring together diverse viewpoints into a single, coherent narrative.
A strong team blog captures:
- How a team’s understanding of a case evolved over time
- What insights emerged through applying systems tools
- How different perspectives shaped the analysis
- How ideas translated into practical entry points
In essence, it tells the story of learning in action.
Basic Rules (Mandatory)
Your final blog must:
- Be written in English
- Be a maximum of 1,000 words
- Include at least one quality image (preferably your team in action)
- Be submitted by email before the deadline
Recommended Structure
1. Engaging Opening
Start with something that draws the reader in—a moment of realisation, a challenge your team encountered, or a question that guided your work.
2. The Case and Context
Briefly explain your case and why it is important in your context. You should also highlight what your organisation is doing in the agro-food sector, especially how it connects to your case.
3. The Process (What you did and discovered)
Describe your practical training experience. Instead of narrating every step, focus on what your team discovered. This section should show learning in action—not just describe tools.
4. Key Insights: Challenges and Lessons
Highlight the most important lessons your team gained, including any practical challenges encountered.
5. Reflection on Team Collaboration
Include a short paragraph reflecting on your experience as a team—what you learned, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.
6. Implications and Plans
Reflect on how this experience will influence your future work, how you plan to implement or promote your case, what still needs further exploration, and who you will engage with.
7. Closing Reflection
How you close your blog significantly shapes its impact. End with a strong, unified message—this could be a key takeaway, a forward-looking thought, or a reflection on working as a team.
Whether you fully or partially follow this structure, what matters most is how well your blog connects with readers. Use clear and simple language, keep paragraphs short and focused, and make your writing conversational.
Please watch the video above for more detailed guidance and practical suggestions.
More Insights and Examples
You may explore insightful blogs written by individual participants from previous editions of the Food Systems e-course (2024 and 2025).
We also encourage you to watch the Blog Writing Guide (Video) for individual writers. It will help you better understand how a blog differs from a report or an academic article—especially in terms of tone, structure, and style.
A Platform for Shared Learning
All team blogs will be published on NFP Connects, creating a space where experiences, insights, and ideas can be shared across contexts. All team members are required to sign up on NFP Connects and create an author account. Sign up using this link: https://www.nfpconnects.com/account/signup
We invite you to approach this not just as an assignment, but as an opportunity to consolidate your learning, share your unique perspective, and contribute to a growing community of practice.
Because transforming food systems starts not only with analysis—but with shared understanding and collective action.
Author
Gizaw Legesse
Content Creator
