The World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) remains committed to supporting and expanding local food systems across the globe. Building on the momentum of recent years, new projects are now being launched in Africa in partnership with Fondazione Campagna Amica. These initiatives will involve several Sub-Saharan African countries, from Mozambique to Senegal to Ghana, with the aim of developing vibrant networks of farmers markets that connect producers and communities. Similar projects are also emerging in South America, demonstrating that the WorldFMC vision resonates across continents.
This international expansion is grounded in a strong framework of collaboration. WorldFMC continues to work closely with the Italian government, in particular with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, recognizing the crucial role of diplomacy in building bridges for sustainable food systems. At the same time, the Coalition has strengthened its partnerships with major international institutions, including CIHEAM, FAO, IFAD, UNIDO, and ILA. Together, these alliances form a powerful system of cooperation, allowing local food systems to expand, adapt, and flourish in diverse contexts.
Partnerships, however, are not just built in boardrooms or through formal agreements. They take root on the ground, where markets, farmers, and communities shape real change. To this end, the WorldFMC Director General Carmelo Troccoli recently traveled to Mozambique to meet future members of the Coalition and to understand how a farmers market system could be developed in the country. This visit was not only symbolic but also practical: it marked the first step toward creating a structure that will enable Mozambican farmers to connect directly with citizens, ensuring fair prices, preserving traditions, and promoting local biodiversity.
The work of WorldFMC is therefore both global and local. Global, because it involves forging international partnerships and building policy frameworks. Local, because it is ultimately rooted in the everyday lives of farmers, markets, and communities. This dual approach is what gives the Coalition its strength, the ability to speak on the world stage while never losing sight of the farmers at the heart of the system.
The journey ahead is ambitious, but the vision remains clear: to expand the reach and impact of local food systems, empowering farmers and citizens alike, and building a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
