The actions proposed to tackle climate change necessitates major shifts in land use and farming. If done badly these will add to the burden of farmers the world over, who already face disruption to their livelihoods from the climate emergency as well as from COVID-19. The local responses to the COVID pandemic show that subnational actors can greatly contribute to tackling the climate emergency, and the need for farmers to be part of this process. Our local dialogue is a series of inclusive conversations that ensures that the improved mutual understanding of farmers’ and cities’ ambitions and circumstances results in new partnerships for positive change. We achieve this by bringing together representatives of diverse food producer communities, cities, and regions in constructive dialogues on a just transition in food and farming. During these dialogues, we deliberate on best practices to tackle the triple challenge of climate change, nature loss, and nutrition fairly and coherently. Our local dialogues aim to build trust, relationships and shared understanding which provides the foundation for better local partnerships and long-term change.