• This Poster Session is co-funded by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Horizon Europe project SafeHabitus as part of the international symposium “The farmers of tomorrow: Skills, jobs and renewal pathways in times of uncertainty”
• The session aims to bring a first-person, human perspective to the symposium, complementing the five-roundtable discussion forming the core of the programme.

Context

On 30 September and 1 October, Zaragoza will host the international symposium “The farmers of tomorrow: Skills, jobs and renewal pathways in times of uncertainty” organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the SafeHabitus project. The Syposium will address the future of the agricultural sector in the Mediterranean, focusing on a topic that is now critical: how to renew the sector, attract talent and create employment opportunities, including for younger generations and women.

The central question is simple but urgent: “Who will produce the food of the future? And under what conditions?”. Across the Mediterranean region – from Southern Europe to North Africa – farmers are aging, family farms face economic challenges, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for younger generations to see agriculture as an attractive life path.

At the same time, the sector is full of experiences of innovation, resilience and transformation. This symposium aims to bring these stories to the forefront, creating a space for dialogue between research, policy and practice. As part of this, a Poster Session co-funded by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Horizon Europe project SafeHabitus will showcase real-life experiences from the field, placing people and their stories at the centre of the discussion.

Objective

The poster session aims to bring a first-person, human perspective to the symposium, complementing the five-roundtable discussion forming the core of the programme. It seeks to feature impactful, innovative and transformative initiatives, capturing both opportunities and challenges in the Mediterranean agri-food sector. Poster should tell real stories from the field, including successes, struggles, lessons learned and innovation that can be replicated or inspire others.

Categories

Applicants can submit their poster under one of the following four categories. Posters should tell real stories while documenting the actions taken, outcomes achieved and lessons learned.

Who can apply

This call is open to individuals (under 40 years-old) or organisations with practical experience in the agri-food sector across the Mediterranean region.

Eligible applicants include (but are not limited to):

• Farmers and producers, both new entrants to the agri-food sector and those transforming a family farm into an innovative business
• Entrepreneurs and start-ups working on innovative solutions in the agri-food sector
• Farmer organisations, cooperatives or community groups engaged in agri-food or rural development initiatives
• Practitioners from the third sector (NGOs, development agencies, international organizations…)
• Extension workers, advisors or applied researchers involved in field-based initiatives
• Youth and women-led organisations contributing to the agri-food sector or rural development

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by email only (symposium@iamz.ciheam.org), using the downloadable Word application form, no later than 23 June 2026 at 23:59 (CET) and including the following documents:

1. Completed application form (Word document)
2. Draft Poster Submission (PDF or PowerPoint)

For further information, please read the Terms of Reference.

Poster Format & Technical Specifications

While creativity is encouraged, all submitted posters should include title and subtitle, author’s name and contact details and follow a storytelling structure:

• Context/challenge: What was the starting point?
• Journey/actions: What was done? What steps were taken?
• Results/impact: What changed or was achieved?
• Lessons learned: Key takeaways for others

Key dates

Selection Criteria and Process

A maximum of 15 posters will be selected through a competitive process. Geographical balance across the Mediterranean, gender balance and youth participation are actively encouraged.

Poster will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Selected participants may be invited to briefly present their story during relevant round table discussions. Oral presentation (if invited) can be in English or Spanish. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided during the symposium.

This poster session is co-funded by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Horizon Europe project SafeHabitus. Travel and accommodation costs will be fully covered for participants whose posters are selected.

Ready to share your story?
Submit your application and draft poster by 23 June 2026 to: symposium@iamz.ciheam.org