The Remitting for Resilience (R2) Project successfully held its Inception Workshop at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on February 17, 2025, bringing together leading researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners from across Africa and beyond. The workshop marked a significant step in advancing the project’s mission to explore how migrant remittances contribute to food security and climate adaptation in vulnerable communities.
The event opened with remarks from Monwabisi Ralarala (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, UWC), Sabelo Mbokazi (African Union Commission), Peter Mudungwe (African Union Commission), Mulugeta Dinababo (UWC), and Jonathan Crush (MiFOOD-R2 Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs). They underscored the urgency of addressing migration-related food security challenges and the significance of R2 project for evidence-based policy solutions.
The workshop featured five thematic sessions, offering diverse perspectives on migration, remittances, and food security. Scholars examined how migration impacts food security globally, drawing insights from Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Discussions also focused on digital remittances, informal financial channels, and diaspora-driven development. A dedicated session explored the gendered dimensions of food insecurity, showcasing case studies from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Presentations covered the role of remittances in refugee communities, cross-border trade, and multi-local households. The final session addressed the intersections of climate vulnerability, migration, and resilience-building efforts in Africa.
These sessions featured long-time partners of the Hungry Cities and the MiFOOD project and new partners of the R2 project from various academic institutions. Beyond advancing knowledge in the field, the workshop played a crucial role in strengthening the R2 project team by fostering deeper connections, shared purpose, and a strong sense of solidarity among researchers and partners.
The R2 project is funded by New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). It aims to generate policy-relevant research that strengthens the link between remittances and climate resilience. It will study migration corridors across Africa, Europe, and North America, focusing on how financial and goods flows from migrants support climate adaptation strategies in origin communities.
The R2 Project is part of the MiFOOD Network, which engages over 100 researchers worldwide. Follow the latest updates on research, publications, and upcoming events at www.mifood.org. For media inquiries, please contact Maria Salamone at [email protected].
Download the R2 Inception Workshop programme:
