World Farmers Markets Coalition to bring the global farmers market movement together in Nairobi for its Fourth General Assembly

Fourth General Assembly will gather representatives from around 80 countries to advance local food systems and strengthen international cooperation

Italy – 30 September 2026 – The World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) will bring together representatives of farmers markets, agricultural organizations, local food networks and partner institutions from around the world in Nairobi on 7–8 October 2026 for its Fourth General Assembly, under the theme “Growing Local Food Systems.”

The Assembly marks an important milestone for the Coalition. For the first time since its creation, the WorldFMC’s General Assembly is being held outside Italy, following three successful editions in Rome. Around 100 delegates from approximately 80 countries are expected to participate, with particularly strong representation from Africa.

The assembly is organised as part of the project “Capacity Building for Farmers’ Markets in Africa and the Mediterranean – MAMI Phase 2”, implemented by CIHEAM Bari in collaboration with the World Farmers Market Coalition and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Directorate General for Development Cooperation. 

Over two days, members will exchange experiences and good practices, discuss the role of farmers markets in strengthening local food systems, take part in thematic panels and networking activities, and shape the Coalition’s priorities for the coming years.

A growing global network

Established in June 2022, the World Farmers Markets Coalition was created to connect organizations working to develop farmers markets and local food systems worldwide.

In just over four years, the Coalition has grown to represent more than 100 organizations in over 80 countries. Compared with the first General Assembly in Rome in 2023, the Coalition’s membership has increased by 51%, reflecting growing international interest in local food systems and in the role farmers markets can play in supporting family farming, biodiversity, local economies and stronger connections between rural and urban communities.

Nairobi: bringing the Assembly closer to Africa

The decision to host the General Assembly in Kenya reflects the growing strategic importance of Africa within the WorldFMC.

Across many African countries, farmers markets are not only places where producers and consumers meet. They can also serve as platforms for local economic development and community building.

The WorldFMC’s African presence has expanded in recent years alongside a number of international cooperation initiatives in the continent. Hosting the General Assembly in Nairobi provides an opportunity to strengthen dialogue with African members and partners and to bring the Coalition’s global discussions closer to the realities of local food systems on the ground.

From cooperation projects to global advocacy

International cooperation is a major part of the WorldFMC’s work. The Coalition has developed or supported initiatives in countries including Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Egypt, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia, with new initiatives planned in Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia and Ukraine.

Among the initiatives currently underway is AREA Africa Programme, a cooperation programme focused on strengthening African agri-food ecosystems through training, technical assistance, technology transfer, investment, public-private cooperation and the development of local skills.

The Coalition is also involved in Ande in Rete, an initiative supporting small-scale farmers in the Andean region, with particular attention to women, young people and indigenous communities. The project promotes stronger rural economies, biodiversity, local food systems and the exchange of knowledge and good practices.

At the same time, WorldFMC has been expanding its advocacy and knowledge-building work. Its recent activities include a policy paper examining the role of urban farmers markets in reducing food loss and waste, as well as the development of a broader public advocacy strategy addressing issues such as regulation, permits, access to public space, waste management, mobility and relationships with local authorities.

Women at the centre of local food systems

The Nairobi Assembly will also highlight the contribution of women to agriculture and local food systems.

A dedicated panel, “The Role of Women in Local Food Systems: Celebrating the International Year of Women Farmers,” sponsored by FAO, will explore the role of women in agriculture and local food systems.

A second panel, sponsored by CIHEAM Bari, will focus on “The Role of Local Food Systems in Ensuring Food Security – City Experiences and Models of Local Territorial Development,” connecting experiences from local food systems with questions of food security and territorial development.

WorldFMC Awards return for their second edition

The Nairobi Assembly will also host the second edition of the WorldFMC Awards, recognizing people, farmers markets and cities contributing to sustainable, inclusive and resilient local food systems.

More than 100 nominations from around the world were received for this year’s awards. The finalists are competing in three categories: Best Farmer, Best Market Manager and Best City

The nine finalist experiences come from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and Australia, reflecting different approaches to agroecology, biodiversity, food access, innovation, tradition, resilience, inclusion, education and cooperation between communities and institutions.

Looking ahead

The General Assembly will provide an opportunity for WorldFMC members to take stock of the Coalition’s development since its establishment in 2022, approve strategic documents, strengthen cooperation among its regional constituencies and define the organization’s governance and priorities for the next mandate.

The Assembly will also include elections for the Coalition’s President and Board members.

At the heart of the Nairobi meeting will be a shared recognition of the role farmers markets can play in connecting farmers, communities, territories and consumers, while contributing to local economic development, sustainability, resilience and inclusion.

As the World Farmers Markets Coalition enters its next phase, Nairobi will bring together this increasingly international network in one place, creating space to exchange experience, build partnerships and strengthen the global movement for local food systems.

About the World Farmers Markets Coalition

The World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) is a global network connecting organizations working to develop farmers markets and local food systems. Founded in 2022, the Coalition brings together more than 100 organizations across over 80 countries, representing thousands of farmers markets and farming families around the world.