From Seeds to Foods: Call for contributors from Europe and Central Asia

Every October, the World Food Forum brings Rome's Circo Massimo to life with exhibitions, tastings, performances and public dialogue on the future of food.

In 2026, FAO is organizing its second Global Exhibition, "From Seeds to Foods", and the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is building a dedicated regional pavilion to sit at its heart.

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Regional Pavilion will tell the story of the region's agrifood systems through four thematic areas: Nature as the Source, People and Knowledge, Innovation Marketplace and Investment and Partnerships. The pavilion is built from the contributions of the countries, institutions and innovators who make up the region – and we are inviting you to be part of it.

Call for Contributors form        

Why participate?

By joining the ECA Regional Pavilion, contributors will have the opportunity to:

• Be part of FAO's second global exhibition, staged alongside the World Food Forum in Rome.
• Showcase products, ideas, technologies and cultural traditions from their country or organization.
• Reach a large, international public and professional audience at Circo Massimo.
• Connect with embassies, chefs, researchers and innovators from across the region.
• Contribute to a shared story about the future of the region's agrifood systems.

Who can participate?

We welcome contributions from organizations based in Europe and Central Asia, including:

• FAO Members, embassies and diplomatic missions.
• private-sector companies and start-ups.
• academic and research institutions.
• farmers’ organizations, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations.
• youth-led initiatives.
• other institutions with a product, idea or story relevant to agrifood systems transformation.

How can you contribute?

The pavilion is looking for contributions in the following areas:

• food for display: products, ingredients or cultural artefacts for the pavilion's display areas.
• food for tasting: dishes, drinks or products suitable for a self-service tasting station (e.g. bread, honey, olive oil, cheese, dried fruits, wine).
• show cooking: a live cooking demonstration, ideally supported by an embassy chef or a Rome-based restaurant.
• cultural event: music, dress, dance or storytelling that connects heritage to food and farming traditions.
• technology and innovation: tools and solutions for the Innovation Marketplace, with a contact point in Rome for coordination

The Main Stage programme is also open to proposals for:

• cultural performances.
• technical sessions organized by countries or other stakeholders.

What does FAO provide?

FAO will:

• coordinate the overall ECA Pavilion programme in Rome.
• provide guidance for the pavilion's contributions, food safety and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP), shipment and set-up.
• offer guidance on aligning contributions with the pavilion's four thematic areas.
• facilitate coordination with embassies, permanent representations, chefs and other partners based in Rome; and
• promote participating contributions through FAO and World Food Forum communication channels.

What is expected from contributors?

Participating organizations are expected to:

• propose one clear idea per contribution, with a short description, and submit as many ideas as they wish.
• name a contact point in their country and, where relevant, a contact in Rome.
• cover their own travel and accommodation costs; and
• coordinate with FAO on programme information, timing and logistics, and food safety.

Join the ECA Regional Pavilion

We invite interested organizations to express their interest by 15 August 2026, COB, by completing the Call for Contributors form and submitting it to [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].