World Rural Forum
World Rural Forum is a non-governmental organization founded in 1999 that convenes farmers' organizations, governments, UN agencies, and research centers across five continents to advance family farming and sustainable rural development policy, credited with the UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersArkaute (Vitoria-Gasteiz), Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What World Rural Forum does
World Rural Forum (Foro Rural Mundial / Munduko Landagunea) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1999 and headquartered in Arkaute, Basque Country, Spain. It functions as a global convening network connecting farmers' organizations, governments, international institutions (FAO, IFAD), cooperatives, NGOs, and research centers across five continents to advance family farming and sustainable rural development policy. Its services are not technology-based but consist of advocacy, knowledge exchange, and coordination; core offerings include the global conference series (V, VI, and VIII Conferences), policy studies covering multiple countries, National Committees of Family Farming, and partnerships with regional federations such as AFA, COPROFAM, PIFON, ROPPA, and PAFO. It holds the institutional credit for the UN General Assembly's declarations of the International Year of Family Farming (2014) and the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028).
The organization's business model is that of a non-profit association registered in the Basque Association Registry (AS/A/08236/1999). Revenue is generated through conference registration fees (€363 per attendee at the VI Conference), membership contributions from 40+ associated entities, and institutional sponsorship from the European Commission (DG DEVCO) and the Basque Government. It operates with a very small staff of approximately 10 employees and has no commercial product, no proprietary technology, no API, and no mobile applications. Its go-to-market is community-led: it builds influence through formal governance participation of regional farmer bodies, high-visibility convening events, multilingual outreach (Spanish, English, French, Basque), and direct engagement with UN agencies and donor governments. The organization's strategic priorities are reflected in its recent expansion into climate policy advocacy at COP30, deepening African continental engagement, and policy research across 12 countries.
World Rural Forum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- World Rural Forum
- Legal name
- ASOCIACIÓN PARA EL DESARROLLO FORO RURAL MUNDIAL
- Website
- https://ruralforum.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- World Rural Forum is a non-governmental organization founded in 1999 that convenes farmers' organizations, governments, UN agencies, and research centers across five continents to advance family farming and sustainable rural development policy, credited with the UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
World Rural Forum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rural Development Advocacy and Policy Services
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Land Management (BPADALAG), Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)
Keywords
Where World Rural Forum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arkaute (Vitoria-Gasteiz)
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
World Rural Forum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Conference registration fees: Revenue generated from conference registration fees, such as the VI Conference which charged €300 + 21% VAT covering the scientific program, technical visits, documentation, coffee breaks, lunches and social events.
- Member organization contributions: The organization operates as an association (ASOCIACIÓN PARA EL DESARROLLO FORO RURAL MUNDIAL) with membership contributions from associated entities including farmers' organizations, cooperatives, NGOs, and research centers from around the world.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Conference Registration Fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
World Rural Forum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
World Rural Forum is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for family farming and sustainable rural development. It convenes a global network of farmers' organizations, cooperatives, research centers, governments, and international institutions, organizes periodic Global Conferences on Family Farming, and produces policy studies and knowledge resources that inform public policy on family farming.
Product overview
World Rural Forum (Foro Rural Mundial) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to sustainable development, local development, and social development. The organization does not offer technology products or software services. Its primary offering consists of advocacy, knowledge sharing, and coordination services for family farming and rural development stakeholders globally. The organization facilitates international conferences (V, VI, and VIII Global Conferences), publishes research and policy studies on family farming, and maintains a network of associated entities and member organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VI Global Conference on Family Farming Global conference convening farmers' organizations, governments, and international institutions to discuss family-farming policy and prepare for the launch of the UN Decade of Family Farming. Registration fee of €300 + 21% VAT.
- VIII World Conference on Family Farming Global conference held in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain, with the theme 'Family Farming: Sustainability of Our Planet', celebrating the anniversary of the UN Decade of Family Farming and bringing together stakeholders from five continents.
- World Rural Forum Global Conferences program Recurring global conference program on family farming and sustainable rural development, organized periodically in the Basque Country, Spain, and attended by representatives of farmers' organizations, governments, and international institutions from five continents.
- Family Farming Public Policy Studies Research and policy studies on family farming public policies, including a comprehensive cross-country study with lessons and recommendations from 12 countries, available in Spanish, English, and French, aimed at informing public policy on family farming.
- World Rural Forum Association Membership Membership-based association for farmers' organizations, cooperatives, NGOs, and research centers, providing member organizations with international advocacy representation, access to global conferences, and participation in governance bodies.
Quantifiable outcome
- UN Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 declared by UN General Assembly
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use World Rural Forum
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
World Rural Forum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
World Rural Forum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- COPROFAM (Confederación de Organizaciones de Productores Familiares del Mercosur)coreRegional confederation of family farming organizations from MERCOSUR countries. Actively participates in WRF General Assemblies and Board meetings. Co-develops advocacy positions and initiatives for family farming policies regionally and globally.
- AFA (Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development)coreRegional association of Asian farmers' organizations. Active member of WRF governance structures. Participated in the Board meeting and General Assembly where the UN Decade of Family Farming was celebrated.
- PIFON (Pacific Islands Farmers Organizations Network)coreNetwork of farmer organizations from Pacific Island countries. Represented at WRF conferences and governance meetings. Advocates for family farming in the Pacific region.
- ROPPA (Network of Farmers' and Agricultural Producers' Organizations of West Africa)coreRegional network representing farmers' organizations from West Africa. Active participant in WRF conferences and advocacy initiatives for family farming policies.
- PAFO (Pan-African Farmers' Organization)corePan-African organization representing farmers across Africa. Collaborates with WRF on advocacy, policy development, and continental initiatives for family farming.
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)coreKey UN agency partner for agriculture and food security. Representatives participate in WRF conferences as speakers and collaborators. Joint advocacy for family farming policies and sustainable agriculture.
- IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)coreInternational financial institution focused on rural poverty reduction. Active collaborator in WRF conferences and initiatives. Provides funding support and technical expertise for family farming programs.
- La Vía CampesinacoreGlobal peasant movement representing millions of farmers worldwide. Key partner in advocacy for family farming and rural development policies. Participates in WRF governance and conferences.
- PROPAC (Plateforme Régionale des Organisations Paysannes d'Afrique Centrale)coreRegional platform bringing together agro-sylvo-pastoralist organizations from ten Central African countries. Coordinates strategies and actions for family farming development in the region.
- GFAR (Global Forum on Agricultural Research)coreGlobal forum connecting agricultural research institutions with farmer organizations. WRF and COPROFAM are members of GFAR's steering committee. Jointly developed collective action for participatory research in family farming.
- International Land Coalition (ILC)coreGlobal alliance working on land rights and sustainable development. Collaborates with WRF on advocacy and policy initiatives affecting family farmers and rural communities.
- CSRC (Community Self-Reliance Centre, Nepal)coreOrganization at the forefront of land rights and family farming advocacy in Nepal. Joined as WRF member in 2018. Works closely with NLRF, the Nepalese family farming organization holding the presidency of AFA.
- Basque Government (Eusko Jaurlaritza)coreRegional government of the Basque Country, Spain. Key institutional sponsor for WRF conferences and headquarters support. Promotes sustainable development and family farming in the region.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
World Rural Forum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
World Rural Forum social profiles
Digital presenceWorld Rural Forum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
World Rural Forum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
World Rural Forum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
World Rural Forum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about World Rural Forum
What does World Rural Forum do?
World Rural Forum is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that advocates for family farming and sustainable rural development. It convenes a global network of farmers' organizations, cooperatives, research centers, governments, and international institutions, organizes periodic Global Conferences on Family Farming, and produces policy studies and knowledge resources that inform public policy on family farming.
Is World Rural Forum a public or private company?
World Rural Forum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was World Rural Forum founded?
World Rural Forum was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is World Rural Forum based?
World Rural Forum is headquartered in Arkaute (Vitoria-Gasteiz), Spain, in the Europe region.
How does World Rural Forum make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Conference registration fees are the primary driver. The others are member organization contributions.
Does World Rural Forum have an API?
No public API is recorded for World Rural Forum.
What industry is World Rural Forum in?
World Rural Forum's product category is Rural Development Advocacy and Policy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAD, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative), with a secondary code of BPADALAG, Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Land Management. Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 700.