Envisioning Pathways to Inclusive and Sustainable Food Systems for Vulnerable Populations (Workshop and webinar)

On behalf of the research project “Creating Inclusive and Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) ECOFOOD”, we are pleased to invite you to the workshop and webinar “Envisioning Pathways to Inclusive and Sustainable Food Systems for Vulnerable Populations”, to be held on 30 September 2026 in Trondheim, Norway.

Background for the workshop

Across the world, food systems are under severe strain. Climate change, conflict and economic instability are making it increasingly difficult for people to access sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Refugees and displaced people in resource-constrained settings are among the most affected. In refugee and displacement settings, households must produce or purchase food, yet they are often excluded from local food systems and have limited access to land and agricultural resources. Humanitarian assistance remains an essential buffer against hunger; however, donor funding is drastically declining.

Evidence from the ECOFOOD Project shows that precarious livelihoods and limited access to food can lead to harmful coping strategies and long-term social and economic consequences. Women, youth and children are particularly disadvantaged, with restricted rights and decision-making power. At the same time, small-scale farming and local collaborative initiatives between refugee and host communities demonstrate promising pathways to more sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems.

About the workshop

The workshop will bring together researchers, policymakers, donors, humanitarian and development practitioners, and civil society actors to explore how to improve food security and transform food systems for vulnerable populations. The workshop objectives include:

• Disseminate findings and evidence from the ECOFOOD Project and related Ruralis research.
• Receive feedback on the key research findings
• Analyse key challenges and opportunities shaping food systems in humanitarian and refugee-hosting contexts, with a key focus on vulnerability, sustainability and resilience.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and dialogue among stakeholders from policy, research and practice to promote interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral learning.
• Showcase best practices and lessons learned across diverse geographical and institutional contexts relevant to improving food security for vulnerable populations.
• Co-create actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations to inform and enhance food security and livelihoods programming in humanitarian and refugee-hosting contexts.

Practical details

Registration

To facilitate planning and logistical arrangements, interested participants are requested to confirm their participation and complete their registration by 27 July 2026.

In-person participation: Please contact the event coordinator, Rita Moseng Siverstvik, by email at rita.sivertsvik@ruralis.no

You are welcome join this conversation, share your experience and expertise, and help shape future policies, programmes and research that can strengthen food security, livelihoods and dignity for refugees and the communities that host them.

Link for registrations.

Contact

Should you require any additional information or clarification about the workshop, please do not hesitate to contact the Project Leader, Dr. Sarah Khasalamwa-Mwandha at Ruralis, by telephone: +47 968 12 768 or +47 411 92 69, or by email at skm@ruralis.no.

Further details on registration and the workshop programme will be shared in due course.

Research Partners