Bridging the gap between policy and practice in Wales: the contributions of organisations such as Aber Food Surplus in meeting the goals of the Well-b

The Well-being of Future Generations Act (Welsh Government 2015) has been lauded as a significant piece of legislation, one that has placed Wales as an innovator in public policy in the specific context of sustainable development. A number of academics have begun to examine the significance of the Act as a way of promoting sustainable development and as a means of enabling more just kinds of social and spatial future to be imagined (e.g. Jones 2019; Jones et al 2020; Netherwood and Flynn 2020). My initial scoping research, however, demonstrates that significant unanswered academic and policy-related questions remain in relation to the implementation of the Act:
First and foremost, there is uncertainty as to the extent to which the Act's good intentions has led to a fundamental change in the practices of individuals and organisations in Wales. To what extent has the Act transformed the ways in which individuals and institutions prioritise and organise themselves?

Second, while the Act attempts to alter the way in which public service operates in Wales, there is less known about the extent to which the Act has encouraged other actors, for instance, in the voluntary or private sectors, to change how they operate. To what extent is the Act encouraging the voluntary and/or the private sectors to incorporate the goals of well-being and sustainable development into their modes of operation?

Third, the Act identifies seven well-being goals as being central to understandings of well-being in Wales: 1.) a prosperous Wales; 2.) a resilient Wales; 3.) a healthier Wales; 4.) a more equal Wales; 5.) a Wales of cohesive communities; 6.) a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language; 7.) a globally responsible Wales (Welsh Government 2015). While these goals are important when considered in isolation, less is known about the interactions between them? To what extent do the goals reinforce each other? To what extent do tensions and contradictions exist between them?

My research will attempt to examine the link between policy and practice 'on the ground' by examining the influence of the Well-being Act on the voluntary sector in Wales, as well as examining the connections and tensions that exist between the different well-being goals contained within the Act. It will do so through a detailed case study of the work of food surplus organisations; organisations that seek to reduce food waste, as well as creating more sustainable food networks within different parts of Wales. The empirical focus will be on Aber Food Surplus (AFS), as well as the national network of food surplus organisations that operate in Wales.