The Forum Origin, Diversity and Territories (ODT) 2025, taking place from November 12-14, 2025, in Bramois, Valais (Switzerland), is a scientific event dedicated to exploring the role of origin-linked labels (such as Geographical Indications) and sustainable pastoral and agricultural practices in the agroecological transition, particularly in mountain areas. Facing the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural depopulation, this forum aims to propose innovative solutions for the sustainable management of mountainous regions.

Organized by experts from UNIL-IGD, CIRM, and Origin for Sustainability, the event will include field visits offering practical immersion into models for valuing local products and preserving mountain ecosystems. Thematic workshops will delve deeper into discussions, notably on agroecology assessment tools (AniTerrAE) and improving the sustainability of Protected Designations of Origin (GI-SMART). The objective is to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of these vital territories by promoting systemic approaches for their sustainable development.

A unique participatory session, based on the World Café methodology, will aim to develop a “Declaration on the Sustainability of the Forum ODT 2025.” This text, co-authored by participants, will serve as a strategic document to inform public debates, policy development, and territorial initiatives, thereby contributing to strengthening the resilience and sustainability of these essential mountain agri-food systems.

Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur la Montagne,
Bramois (Switzerland)

This scientific event will explore the role of origin-linked labels —such as Geographical Indications (GIs), Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), and other forms of territorial differentiation— as well as the sustainable agricultural and pastoral practices associated with them, in advancing the agroecological transition. Faced with the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural depopulation, the forum aims to propose innovative solutions for the sustainable management of mountain regions through an agroecological lens.

These territories play a crucial role in delivering essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation and biodiversity conservation, while safeguarding a unique cultural and gastronomic heritage. However, they face growing pressures, including the ongoing loss of natural and human capital, and heightened vulnerability to climate-related risks.

The field visits in Central Valais will offer participants a unique opportunity for hands-on learning. Activities will include the discovery of rural and pastoral life in mountain landscapes, artisanal cheese production in village-based cooperative dairies, environmentally friendly viticulture practices, and collective marketing models for local products. These visits will highlight the links between Geographical Indications, the sustainability of rural livelihoods, and the protection of fragile mountain ecosystems.

The thematic workshops will delve deeper into these key issues. They will cover agroecological assessment tools developed by the AniTerrAE project (led by the FAO and Origin-for-Sustainability), strategies to enhance the sustainability of protected designations of origin as explored in the European GI-SMART project, and innovations aimed at strengthening the resilience of mountain agri-food systems. Led by experts, these sessions will encourage knowledge exchange and the implementation of concrete solutions.

This forum is fully aligned with the priorities of mountain territories, focusing on the promotion of certified local products and the sustainability of agri-food systems in mountainous areas. Central Valais, a flagship mountain region, perfectly illustrates the challenges and opportunities these territories face in responding to climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The support of CIRM (Interdisciplinary Centre for Mountain Research) will help to strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations and foster dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and local stakeholders. This initiative contributes to CIRM’s mission of promoting systemic approaches to sustainable mountain development, while enhancing both ecological resilience and socio-economic cohesion.

Institutions

• Forum Origin, Diversity and Territories
• Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur la Montagne

Organisers

• Dominique Barjolle, dominique.barjolle@unil.ch, research manager at the Institute of Geography and Sustainability (IGD) of the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and member of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Mountain Research (CIRM).
• Emilia Schmitt emilia.schmitt@unil.ch an associate researcher at the Institute of Geography and Sustainability (IGD) of the University of Lausanne (UNIL).
• Isabella Maglietti Smith isabella@origin-for-sustainability.org Project Manager for the GI SMART project (HORIZON Europe) at the Swiss association “Origin for Sustainability”.

The Forum ODT 2025 will convene researchers, practitioners, producers, local authorities, and decision-makers to explore the contribution of origin-linked labelling systems, such as Geographical Indications and World Agricultural Heritage—to the agroecological transition in mountain regions. The three-day event will feature immersive field visits, a plenary day with inspiring keynote presentations, and interactive workshops designed to foster collective intelligence and co-create sustainable transition pathways..

Provisional program

Day 1 – Wednesday, November 12

Field visits

9:00 a.m. –5:30 p.m.: Visits

Discovery of emblematic local initiatives illustrating the dynamics of sustainability in the mountains, including examples of products under Geographical Indication (GI), agroecological practices, forest management and short supply chains.
🍽️ Lunch on site
🚐 Transport by private bus or public transport, depending on groups and local availability.

Day 2 – Thursday, November 13

Plenary day and participatory workshops

Please note: Plenary sessions are not open to external contributions.

8:30–10:00 a.m.: Opening and general framing
Introduction of the Forum theme and opening remarks

Welcome address: Dominique Barjolle (Origin for sustainability)
Keynote speakers: to be confirmed

10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.: coffee break

10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Presentation of the three thematic axes

This session aims to define and operationalise sustainability in agrifood systems whose specific product quality is linked to origin, particularly in mountain areas.

Three dimensions will be explored as levers for the sustainability of these territorialised systems: governance, agricultural and artisanal practices, and culture.

• Governance of Geographical Indications and their role in agroecological transitions
  Keynote speaker (to be confirmed).
• Practices, techniques and learning: Rethinking sustainability through action
  Keynote speaker (to be confirmed).
• Culture, territorial narratives and local identities: levers of resilience for agroecological transitions
  Keynote speaker (to be confirmed)

12:30–1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Participatory workshops – World Café format

The goal of this session is the drafting of a “Forum ODT 2025 Declaration on Sustainability” – a scientifically grounded text, co-written with participants, who will be credited as co-authors. This declaration will serve as a strategic and collective output to inform public debates, policy orientations, and territorial initiatives supporting a sustainable transition in origin-linked agrifood systems.

The Participatory Session will follow the World Café methodology, directly connected to the three themes introduced in the morning.

Facilitation (to be confirmed)

Day 3 – Friday, November 14

Thematic workshops and closing

9:00–12:30 Thematic Workshops
🔹 Workshop 1: Agroecological transition and sustainable pastoralism
🔹 Workshop 2: Strengthening sustainability frameworks for Geographical Indications
🔹 Workshop 3: Sustainable mountain systems: innovations and resilience in the face of social, economic, environmental and governance challenges

12:30–2:00 p.m. Aperitif Lunch

2:00–4:40 p.m.: Workshop summary and closing remarks– Collective presentation of results, recommendations and closure in plenary session.

The Origin, Diversity and Territories (ODT) 2025 Forum invites researchers, practitioners, local stakeholders, and decision-makers to submit contributions on the role of product differentiation systems (such as Geographical Indications, World Agricultural Heritage, GIAHS, etc.) in supporting the agroecological transition, particularly in mountainous regions.

The event will feature plenary sessions and three thematic workshops, each of which is open to contributions.

🔸 Workshop 1: “Agroecological transition and sustainable pastoralism”

Inspired by the AniTerrAE project, this workshop will explore the role of livestock farming practices and pastoralism in driving the agroecological transition in mountain areas. Drawing on tools such as the FAO’s agroecological performance evaluation framework TAPE, as well as other methodological approaches, it will examine how differentiation strategies—such as Geographical Indications and heritage systems like GIAHS—impact the sustainability of localised livestock systems. The session will showcase findings from case studies (e.g. yaks in Bhutan, raw milk cheese in Brazil, pastoral systems in Tanzania) and will feature the European project TAPELINE, coordinated by Dominique Barjolle. Contributions using alternative methodological or analytical frameworks to assess these impacts are also welcome.

• How do labelled pastoral practices contribute to environmental, social, and economic sustainability in mountain areas?
• In what ways do origin-linked pastoral systems enhance ecosystem services specific to mountain territories?
• What trade-offs are identified between the preservation of traditional knowledge and adaptation to contemporary agroecological standards?

🔸 Workshop 2: “Strengthening sustainability frameworks for Geographical Indications”

This workshop will offer practical tools to evaluate and enhance the sustainability of food systems under Geographical Indications. It will explore all four dimensions of sustainability—environmental, social, economic, and governance—with a particular focus on performance indicators (SGI-KPIs), exemplary practices identified across 50 European GIs, and policy recommendations drawn from 16 case studies developed within the GI-SMART project (Horizon Europe). The goal is to equip producers and policymakers with self-assessment frameworks to support the transition toward more sustainable Geographical Indications.

• How do sustainability assessment tools influence the evolution of GI systems toward agroecological models?
• What effects do multi-dimensional assessment frameworks have on local governance of GIs in mountain regions?
• What trade-offs emerge between the environmental sustainability of GIs and economic viability in these territories?

🔸 Workshop 3: “Sustainable mountain systems: innovations and resilience in the face of social, economic, environmental and governance challenges »  

This workshop will build on the themes of the first two by adopting a systemic approach to examine how resilience in mountain territories can be strengthened in response to climate change and socio-economic pressures. It will spotlight institutional, agricultural, and collective innovations that contribute to preserving natural resources, traditional knowledge, and key ecosystem services. The aim is to identify actionable pathways and strategic levers for a sustainable transition rooted in the territorial dynamics of mountain regions.

• What territorial innovations support an inclusive agroecological transition in labelled mountain areas?
• How do collective dynamics (cooperatives, networks, local institutions) strengthen the resilience of mountain agri-food systems?
• What role do public policies (local, national, or European) play in supporting agroecological transitions in mountain areas, and to what extent do they support or limit initiatives based on origin-linked labels?

📨 Papers submission (abstract of 300 words maximum) 

To send your contribution

1. Register first on this link: Forum ODT Registration 
2. Read the call for contributions
3. Use the contribution template available here:

• Template Contribution in French
• Template Contribution in English
• Template Contribution in Spanish
• Template Presentation PowerPoint

Upload your one-page contribution by clicking here: Upload your contribution

If you have any questions, isabella@origin-for-sustainability.org
👉 Deadline: July 20, 2025
📅Responses to authors: early September 2025

Ready to secure your spot for the Forum ODT 2025? Fill out the registration form directly below!