Agricultural & food systems
Value chains, agriculture markets, nutrition-sensitive growth.
Why this moment matters
The MSD community is where program leads and donors pressure-test ideas before those ideas hit large portfolios.
Vikāra Institute hosts that community: systems thinking, MSD, resilience. Real markets and institutions, not slide-deck theory only.
Vikāra Institute convenes people who work on economic inclusion, enterprise, climate resilience, and finance systems. Each year that surfaces at the Market Systems Symposium and continues in smaller groups through the year.
Sponsorship patterns have shifted.
Some historical support came via USAID implementing partners. That channel is thinner now, while symposium and network costs remain.
Foundations and CSI programs with a systems mandate get a built platform: senior practitioners, candid technical debate, global reach.
MSS2026 in one page
Plenaries, workshops, cases, and peer learning with people who run large programs.
The 9th symposium is the main point on the calendar for this field. It is technical. People leave with contacts they use for months after.
Program and logistics sit on the official site.
The network, not only the event
The symposium is the spike in the chart. The line underneath is blog posts, podcasts, and working groups.
No membership fee, but heavy participation from people who have shipped programs and want honest feedback. Funding stabilizes that rhythm.
How the symposium is funded
Registrations plus sponsorships. Built to cover costs, not to make a profit.
Vikāra Institute backs parts of the network from its own resources. The symposium runs on registration tiers, optional add-ons, and partner contributions. Scholarships keep the room globally mixed.
Partnership shapes
Funding can be a key sponsor role, a workshop sponsorship, a speaking engagement, an activation sponsorship, or another structure. Tell us what fits your governance and brand rules. Vikāra Institute is open to other forms of support as well.
Key sponsor
Top-tier presence across program and communications.
Workshop
Support tied to a specific technical session.
Speaking
Visible slot for your lead in front of practitioners.
Activation
On-site or hybrid moment that brings your issue to life.
Official MSS2026 packages
Orientation figures; final benefits and recognition are set out in the partnership agreement.
Premier
US$25,000
Highest thought leadership, visibility, and delegate access.
- MSS design meeting participation; significant agenda co-design priority
- ≥2 speakers on the agenda (including ≥1 plenary); 2 expert video/podcast interviews
- 2 MSD Hub blog posts; 1 case study with Vikāra support for MSS
- Significant logo, social (10k+ reach), and email exposure; tote item
- 8 complimentary in-person registrations; 15% off additional; 2 VIP dinner seats; networking event
Featured
US$12,000
Strong program alignment and brand presence.
- Prominent agenda co-design priority; ≥2 speakers
- 1 blog post; prominent logo, social, and email exposure
- 6 complimentary in-person registrations; 5% off additional
- Networking event included
Supporter
US$6,000
Visible entry point and community connection.
- ≥1 speaker; standard logo, social, and email exposure
- 2 complimentary in-person registrations
- Networking event included
Compare packages
Scroll horizontally on small screens. = included; — = not in baseline tier.
| Benefit | Premier US$25k |
Featured US$12k |
Supporter US$6k |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSS design meeting | ✓ | — | — |
| Agenda co-design priority | Significant | Prominent | — |
| Speakers (incl. plenary) | ≥2 (≥1 plenary) | ≥2 | ≥1 |
| Expert video / podcast | 2 interviews | — | — |
| MSD Hub blog / case | 2 posts + 1 case | 1 post | — |
| Logo, social, email | Significant (10k+ social) | Prominent | Standard |
| Complimentary in-person passes | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| Discount on extra passes | 15% | 5% | — |
| VIP dinner seats | 2 | — | — |
| Tote / swag item | ✓ | — | — |
| Networking event | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Add-on packages (USD)
- Plenary video (in-person promotional or case study) — $2,000
- Networking cocktail sponsor — $6,000
- Networking coffee sponsor — $4,000 (partner provides banner)
- Networking lunch sponsor — $6,000 (partner provides banner)
- Local impact partner (scholarship fund; full in-person sponsorship) — $5,000 per scholar
- Creative / bespoke activation — scope TBD with the team
Plenary video $2k Cocktail $6k Coffee $4k Lunch $6k Scholarship $5k
Itemized budget (USD)
| Item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Podcast, blog series & community of practice management | 24,000 |
| MSS2026 convening | 360,000 |
| Annual learning report | 6,500 |
| Budgeted expenses (total) | 390,500 |
| Support secured / anticipated (Vikāra Institute, Caritas Switzerland, Canopy Lab, anticipated registration) | 136,000 |
| Funding still required | 254,500 |
Confirm figures before citing them outside your organization.
Voices from the field
MSS2025 participants — video embeds ship when links are ready.
Manuel Manhique Júnior
Why MSS matters on the ground
Regional teams swapping notes on live market systems challenges.
Maciej Chmielewski
Learning that travels
Practitioner space plus follow-up after the event sharpens field-wide analysis.
Maxime Brige
Technical depth in one room
Funders and implementers aligning capital with how markets work.
Angeline Munzara
Programs and partnerships
Backing the network reinforces leaders who shape how development is designed.
Questions we hear often
What does partnership funding cover?
Venue and production, program design, inclusion support, year-round network activities, and products such as the annual learning report. Scope is agreed in writing.
How is this different from sponsoring only the event?
The symposium is the anchor. The network is what continues between events: relationships, learning, field-level alignment.
How do registration fees fit in?
Fees are cost-recovery. They signal professional commitment and sit alongside sponsorship.
Recognition, reporting, exclusivity?
Naming, logo use, sessions, and comms are in the agreement to meet your legal and brand rules. Category exclusivity is possible when program integrity allows.
Typical timeline?
Call, brief or concept note, then your legal review. Timelines depend on your institution and MSS2026 milestones.
Who should we contact?
Contact Vikāra Institute or email [email protected] with MSS2026 partnership in the subject line.