E2A 2025: Fighting Hunger in the New Foreign Aid Landscape

Recent cuts to foreign aid and shifting geopolitical priorities have created unprecedented funding gaps, compounding already slow progress towards ending global hunger. Yet this challenge is galvanizing a global movement of practitioners, researchers, and advocates committed to identifying and scaling the most cost-effective solutions.

Evidence to Action (E2A) 2025: Fighting Hunger in the New Foreign Aid Landscape showcased how evidence-based programs delivering agricultural services and social assistance are protecting food security and livelihoods for marginalized populations in low- and middle-income countries, even as traditional funding models shift. Through research talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, CEGA’s flagship event furthered debates about how best to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

Agenda

Keynote Address

We were delighted to host Rikin Gandhi for a keynote address.

Rikin Gandhi is the co-founder and CEO of Digital Green, a non-profit that empowers smallholder farmers by combining the power of AI and grassroots partnerships. Originally launched as a Microsoft Research India project, Digital Green has reached over 8 million farmers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Its flagship platform, FarmerChat, delivers real-time, localized agricultural advice at nearly 100× lower cost than traditional extension while connecting farmers to markets and services. Rikin is a TED Fellow and Ashoka Fellow, and has co-authored leading studies on agri-food systems transformation. 

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