FONCIMED 2026: 15th FONCIMED Network International Seminar Aix Marseille University, site of Gap Gap, France, October 21-23, 2026

Coexistence of activities in mediterrnean territories in the XXIst century? From land compromises to pastoral synergies

General Information

Several demands for land use, sometimes conflicting and sometimes compatible, are expressed within Mediterranean territories. They reflect contemporary societal changes, which affect territories that are multifunctional by nature. Characterized by accelerated climate change, Mediterranean mountains, where pastoral and tourist activities coexist but whose viability is now uncertain, are seeking solutions to adapt. Livestock farmers, guardians of pastoral systems that may be considered as centuries-old heritage, are facing new challenges in their effort to preserve pastures (modification of pastures, emergence of new zoonoses, arrival of predators). Alongside, the tourism sector, a high value-added activity sometimes part of international service markets, is exploring new development pathways in response to uncertain snowfall. In addition, new uses, particularly for green energy production, are competing with existing ones. Finally, the need for intra/inter-territorial mobility is also increasing, exacerbated by more limited access to land.

The articulation of these various demands characterized by different spatial scales, time frames, and administrative levels complicates the emergence of compromises that are essential to the viability of these territories and to the implementation of virtuous synergies that may improve their habitability. On the contrary, controversies, tensions, and conflicts seem to increase rapidly. While external constraints are manifold (accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, heightened international competition, increased socioeconomic inequalities, and geopolitical conflicts), there are also strong internal pressures (demographic transitions, resource scarcity).

Many questions, generally based on the need to reconcile the different perspectives of the various stakeholders, arise at the territorial level, including in particular:

• Reconciling socio-economic development and environmental preservation
• Maintaining traditional activities and integrating modern activities
• Improving rural livability and seeking territorial competitiveness
• Balancing allocation of means of production and distribution of resources.

The many rural challenges, whose non-exhaustive list detailed above might be expanded, actually call for an in-depth examination of the territorialized political regulation of market mechanisms as well as the dynamics of the emergence of local social innovations that are necessary to meet the needs of rural populations in their specific socio-ecological and socio-technical contexts. In this context, sharing experiences and international cooperation can be beneficial for the socially sustainable development of Mediterranean territories.

The organization of this 15th FONCIMED Seminar in the Hautes Alpes, a region that perfectly highlights these controversies, tensions, and conflicts, will provide an opportunity for knowledge sharing and field visits to complement academic discussions, fostering a critical perspective on the development pathways taking place throughout the Mediterranean region.

Seminar Research Focus

Communication proposals should fall within one of these four areas:

• New forms of land appropriation. Perspectives may include territorial resilience/development (cooperation, multi-partnerships, etc.), promotion of territorial resources, responsible territorial governance (pastoral areas, oases, etc.), new strategies for adapting to land use.
• Supporting the re-territorialization of agriculture. Several levels may be considered: a) local action to discuss the viability of small farms in relation to localized agri-food systems and emerging territorial synergies, b) public policies (national, regional, municipal, etc.) to discuss the capacities and strategies of actors.
• The re-territorialization of agriculture as a response to environmental challenges (climate change, resource conservation, fire risk prevention) at the farm and territorial levels through the concepts of environmental capital, ecosystem services, and environmental impact assessment.
• The new dimensions of pastoralism will provide an opportunity to examine the recent issues encountered by livestock farmers and other stakeholders in Mediterranean livestock farming systems to highlight their importance in Mediterranean territories, particularly in mountainous areas.

Proposal Submission

All submissions will be reviewed through a fully digital peer review process by two referees for abstracts and two referees for short papers. Submissions will be handled through the EasyChair for FONCIMED 2026 Online Submission System.

Instructions on how to prepare and submit a paper can be found here: https://foncimed.com/foncimed2026/paper-submission/

Important Dates

Registration Fees

• Permanent Researchers: 100 €
• Other Participants(students, technicians, and particular situations): 40 €

Proceedings Publication

Proposal abstracts accepted by the Scientific Committee will be published in an electronic book released during the Seminar.

A selection of communications will be granted the possibility to be published in a special issue of the scientific journal Economie Rurale for francophone communications and in another journal sill to be selected for anglophone communications.

Organizing Committee

• Mikaël Akimowicz, Aix-Marseille Université, France
• Cyrille GrandPierre Genre, Université d’Avignon, France
• Maud Hirczak, Aix-Marseille Université, France
• Stavriani Koutsou, International Hellenic University, Greece
• Claude Napoléone, INRAE, France
• Gwendoline Promsopha, Aix-Marseille Université, France
• Elias Tsourapas, HAICTA, Greece

Contact

For any further information you can contact the Organizing Committee directly via email at foncimednetwork [@] gmail.com