The twelfth Conversation on Agroecology, held in June 2025, centered on agroecological initiatives across Africa, with a particular focus on living labs, regional research networks, and the role of knowledge-sharing platforms.

Audrey N’gom from INRAe (France) opened the session with a comprehensive overview of agroecological living lab projects on the continent. She described how these labs bring together farmers, researchers, and local stakeholders to co-design, monitor, and evaluate agroecological practices. Audrey mapped 15 major projects across Africa, noting that while some countries are more active than others, the overall momentum is growing. The projects vary in thematic focus, covering areas such as agroforestry, aquaponics, one health, and soil health. Audrey highlighted three case studies to illustrate the diversity and depth of these initiatives. One example is the CANALLS project in Central and Eastern Africa, which focuses on agroecological transitions in the humid tropics, establishing eight living labs across Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda, and working with over 20,000 farmers. While many of these projects are still in early stages, some have already begun influencing local policies and fostering regional networks.

The second presentation was delivered by Carlo Rega and Caroline Callenius from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. They introduced the Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security, a platform designed to support evidence-based policymaking by curating and synthesizing research on topics such as agroecology, food security, and gender equality. The Centre collects and organizes knowledge assets - including publications, datasets, and technical reports - around ten thematic areas and produces accessible summaries and reviews to inform policy. One upcoming review will explore the role of neglected and underutilized crops in enhancing food security and resilience in Africa. Caroline presented the European Commission’s support for Regional Multi-Actor Research Networks (MRNs) in Africa. These networks operate in West, East, and Southern Africa and aim to strengthen regional research capacity, foster collaboration among universities and NGOs, and promote agroecological education and policy engagement. Coordinated by institutions in Senegal, South Africa, and Kenya, the MRNs focus on building knowledge hubs, adapting innovations to local needs, and supporting smallholder farmers, women, and youth. Continental organizations such as FARA and Ruforum provide overarching support to ensure that these networks contribute to broader African policy dialogues and scientific collaboration.

The session concluded with a lively discussion on challenges in stakeholder engagement, the integration of indigenous knowledge, and the importance of context-specific definitions and approaches in agroecological research and practice.