On 25 March 2026, the World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) will host its next WorldFMC Studio, titled “Farmers Markets: Global drivers for advocacy and dialogue with policymakers.” The online session will take place from 3:00 to 4:15 PM CET and will be held in English, with translation available in Spanish and Italian.
This Studio will present the main insights and lessons learned from the Regional Farmers Market Co-Labs organized by WorldFMC in February 2026. The Co-Labs brought together farmers market associations and market leaders from around the world to exchange experiences and discuss strategies to strengthen advocacy and engagement with public decision-makers.
A global challenge: advocating for farmers markets
Advocacy for farmers markets remains a major challenge for many organizations. According to the WorldFMC Capacity Needs Survey, conducted with the support of FAO among more than 90 farmers market associations worldwide, 88% of respondents identified advocacy with policymakers as one of their main challenges.
Building on the outcomes of the Farmers Markets Count! campaign, the Regional Co-Labs aimed to deepen understanding of how farmers markets can develop stronger public policy agendas and improve dialogue with policymakers.
Through peer-to-peer discussions, participants explored:
- Successful advocacy initiatives that led to concrete policy tools and institutional support
- Examples of public policies that effectively support farmers markets, as well as policies that have proven less effective
- Practical strategies, alliances, and communication tools that can strengthen advocacy efforts
- Opportunities to address policy gaps and structural challenges affecting farmers markets
From regional dialogue to global learning
The upcoming Studio will bring together key representatives from different regions to share the most relevant findings emerging from the Co-Lab discussions.
These exchanges highlighted the importance of advocacy efforts in ensuring the resilience, recognition, and continued operation of farmers markets. While local contexts vary widely, participants identified several shared challenges influencing farmers markets globally, including:
- Political and economic instability
- Urban development dynamics and access to public spaces
- Migration processes and changing sociodemographic trends
- International agricultural trade and environmental pressures
Across regions, participants emphasized the critical role of communication, alliances, and community building in strengthening advocacy efforts and fostering constructive dialogue with policymakers at local, national, and international levels.
Regional insights
During the Studio, regional representatives will present key findings and reflections from their respective areas:
- Jean Charles Khairallah, Board Representative for Mediterranean and North Africa (MENA & SSA)
- Jean-Nick Trudel, Representative for North America and Director General, Association des marchés publics du Québec
- Thiago Nasser, Board Representative for Central and South America
- Ha Tran Kieu Thanh, Board Representative for East Asia and Oceania
- Randi Gjertsen, Board Representative for Europe
Their contributions will highlight regional experiences, successful approaches, and shared priorities for strengthening advocacy and public policy support for farmers markets.
About WorldFMC Studios
WorldFMC Studios are online sessions designed to share knowledge, experiences, and practical insights with the global farmers market community. They provide a platform to connect regional experiences with global dialogue, fostering collaboration and collective learning among farmers market leaders, organizations, and partners.
Join the conversation
The WorldFMC Studio on 25 March 2026 offers an opportunity to explore how farmers markets around the world are building stronger relationships with policymakers and developing coordinated advocacy strategies to support local food systems.
Date: 25 March 2026
Time: 3:00 – 4:15 PM CET
Language: English with Spanish and Italian translation
