E-course | Food Systems 2026
About this course
In short- Dive in to the food systems approach
- Engage with hundreds of other professionals
- Options for collective learning
- Free of charge
In this e-course on Food Systems, participants deepen their understanding of the food systems approach and learn how to apply this in their work.
About this course
For the 7th time in a row, Netherlands Food Partnership and Wageningen Social & Economic Research are organising an e-course on Food Systems. This e-course is free of charge and designed for professionals active in Food and Nutrition Security programmes in low- and middle-income countries. The 2026 edition will take place between February 20 and March 27, 2026.
The food systems approach is increasingly used by researchers and practitioners in agri-food to understand how food is produced and consumed. The approach helps to reach an optimal outcome for human health, social justice, economic endeavour and the preservation of planetary resources. The series of UN Food Systems Summits show the importance of the concept for policy and practice: many low- and middle-income countries have adopted national pathways for food system transformation.
What you will learn
After completing the e-course you will be able to:
- Understand and work with the concept of food systems based on current academic insights;
- Understand how food systems feature in the current international policy debates;
- Commission food systems analysis in order to inform policies or interventions in the domain of food, agriculture and development;
- Work with the food system framework and make your programmes more relevant and effective to realise food system outcomes
New: Options for collective learning
This edition we optimised some of last year’s new features to guide collective learning for teams and organisations:
- Learning routes for learners interested in different themes such as among others: socio-economics, food & nutrition security and biodiversity & environmental sustainability.
- The option for organisations to join the e-course and learn as a team. The most active teams will be invited for follow-up training sessions to apply food system thinking in practice within their institution.
Practical details
The minimal time investment for the e-course is 16-20 hours. The duration of the e-course covers five weeks with four modules. Follow-up activities for groups include 5 more sessions of 2 to 3 hours each. You will receive a WUR-certificate after completing all online modules of the e-course. Successful groups will receive an additional certificate.
Every module has individual learning activities (3-4 hours) and a plenary session (1,5 hours). The individual learning activities include watching short videos, reading an article, reflecting on blog posts, completing short quizzes, applying food systems thinking to your own work and online discussions with participants and facilitators. The plenary sessions have key-note speakers and facilitated discussions.
Registration until February 6. Selection by February 16.
Network Café: Introduction to e-course, learning platform and fellow participants.
Opens on Friday February 20, 2026. Admission, instructions.
Module 1: Why does a food systems approach matter?
February 23 - 27. Plenary session on Wednesday Feb 25, 14:00-15:30h CET, GMT+1
Module 2: Making food systems analysis work
March 2 - 6. Plenary session on Wednesday Mar 4, 14:00-15:30h CET, GMT+1
March 19 - 13 Week off / catch-up week
Module 3: The process of transforming food systems
March 16 - 19. Plenary session on Wednesday March 18, 14:00-15:30h CET, GMT+1
Module 4: Governance of food systems transformation
March 23 - 27. Plenary session on Wednesday March 25, 14:00-15:30h CET, GMT+1
The hybrid training sessions combine online instruction with group exercises. Groups use a study case from their own practice. The training covers topics such as: situation analysis (rich picture & stakeholder analysis); food system mapping; exploring leverage points and developing entry points for action. The training is specifically aimed at organisations, partnerships or other collaborations.
The group training is planned on Wednesdays at 14:00h on the days April 8-15-22-29. The group work will include a final presentation of the study case on May 13.
More information
The e-course takes place in a Curatr, a dedicated learning platform for the participants. In this NFPConnects page, the e-course organisers share updates and selected recordings of plenary webinars. After the e-course, we invite participants to write blogs about their insights in food systems. So even if you do not participate this time, you can learn more about Food System Transformation by keeping an eye on this page.
Contact our expert
If you have questions about this course, please contact our expert.