The EPA Forum 2019 will take place in Cotonou, Benin, on October 17 and 18 and focuses on the theme: “Utilizing Evidence to Improve Food Security and Nutrition in Urban Areas”. The event is mainly supported by and built around the work of the Global Challenges Programme project “Allotment gardens and food security in urban Africa” and therefore organized by the project consortium members ACED, ACWFS and UAC. 

EPA Forum

The EPA Forum is the most important annual gathering for evidence-producers, policymakers, and practitioners in the food security and environment sectors in Benin. It goes beyond policymaking and supports stakeholders in taking concrete actions based on rigorous evidence. Therefore, the Forum targets policymakers but also focuses on bringing on board practitioners including development partners, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to make them aware of available evidence and innovations that can be used in their interventions. The Forum also offers a platform for researchers to learn from real-life and practical questions and issues that are of interest to policymakers and practitioners to align their research agendas.

EPA Forum 2019 Theme

The EPA Forum 2019 will focus on the theme: “Utilizing Evidence to Improve Food Security and Nutrition in Urban Areas”. The theme is justified by the urgent need to address more efficiently and sustainably the issue of food and nutrition in Benin. Indeed, the issue of food and nutrition security is complex with multifactorial and interdependent factors. As such, and in a context of scarce resources, persuasive and timely evidence is of critical importance and can improve the efficiency of decisions and interventions.
Food and nutrition vulnerability is a major issue in developing countries. In Benin, about 9.6% of the population, corresponding to about 1.09 million people, is in food insecurity (AGVSA, 20171 ). Although the situation is most alarming in rural areas, food insecurity in urban areas is worsened by degrading living conditions and has created new, vulnerable urban citizens named the “urban poor”.

Background information

• Please download the EPA Forum 2019 Concept note (English version).
• Please download the EPA Forum 2019 Concept note (French version).
• Please download the EPA Forum 2019 Program (English version).
• Please download the EPA Forum 2019 Program (French version).

Follow updates on Social media through hashtag #EPAForum2019.