TMG Think Tank for Sustainability

Nicole Paganini

Programme Lead - Urban Food Futures

Nicole's research focuses on rethinking the urban-food nexus for more inclusive and resilient urban futures. Her specific interests include the right to food, co-creation of knowledge with local communities, and feminist research approaches. Nicole obtained a PhD from Hohenheim University for her work on a food justice perspective in urban agriculture.

Nicole Paganini
30 years of democracy: A reflection on transition without transformation ahead of South Africa's election
Blog Post May 24, 2024

30 years of democracy: A reflection on transition without transformation ahead of South Africa's election

This election could redefine South Africa's democratic landscape amidst persistent challenges in achieving true equality
Pioneering systems change: grassroots action forges gender-just pathways to accountability
Blog Post Apr 02, 2024

Pioneering systems change: grassroots action forges gender-just pathways to accountability

The 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) focused on how to reform institutions that routinely exclude women and eliminate poverty
From scoping to action research: Implementation of five pathways for more resilient and inclusive urban food systems in Cape Town and Nairobi   
Blog Post Feb 26, 2024

From scoping to action research: Implementation of five pathways for more resilient and inclusive urban food systems in Cape Town and Nairobi   

Strengthening Systemic Approaches to Urban Food Transformation
Exploring pathways to urban food system transformation
News Apr 18, 2023

Exploring pathways to urban food system transformation

Nairobi policy event engages policy makers on the critical role of the informal sector in achieving the right to food.
Pathways to transform urban food systems
Publication Mar 27, 2023

Pathways to transform urban food systems

An action research compass for strengthening the informal sector's role in achieving the right to food
Food system transformation requires a compass: Ours is the progressive realization of the right to food in low-income urban settings
Blog Post Mar 22, 2023

Food system transformation requires a compass: Ours is the progressive realization of the right to food in low-income urban settings

TMG’s Urban Food Futures programme publishes its scoping report
Kitchens, gender and unlearning feminism
Blog Post Mar 07, 2023

Kitchens, gender and unlearning feminism

Urban Food Futures research results presented at CSW67
Could “Urban Nutrition Hubs” offer a systemic response to entrenched hunger and inequality?
Blog Post Dec 07, 2022

Could “Urban Nutrition Hubs” offer a systemic response to entrenched hunger and inequality?

Take aways from a policy engagement event in Cape Town
With pots and pens to parliament – Understanding and responding to crises through a critical feminist lens
Blog Post Aug 10, 2022

With pots and pens to parliament – Understanding and responding to crises through a critical feminist lens

A blog commemorating Women’s Day in South Africa, 9 August
Empowered women: Re-imagining food and community in Cape Town
Blog Post Mar 07, 2022

Empowered women: Re-imagining food and community in Cape Town

Project partners meet some women using community kitchens to drive social transformation in Cape Town's informal settlements.
Beyond Food Aid: A “Kitchen Retreat” reimagines community in the Cape Flats
Blog Post Dec 14, 2021

Beyond Food Aid: A “Kitchen Retreat” reimagines community in the Cape Flats

A space to exhale, listen and learn
Kutathmini michango ya vibanda, vioski, na mikahawa midogo inayoendeshwa na wanawake katika biashara za chakula jijini Nairobi, Kenya

Article

Kutathmini michango ya vibanda, vioski, na mikahawa midogo inayoendeshwa na wanawake katika biashara za chakula jijini Nairobi, Kenya

Makala haya yanatoa wito wa kuzingatia zaidi hali ya kutengwa kwa wanawake na yanatoa mapendekezo ya sera kusaidia wauzaji wa sekta isiyo rasmi.

Written by Christian Sonntag, Emmanuel Atamba, Nicole Paganini, William Onura, Maureen Musya, Evans Otibine, Omondi Okoyo, Patrick Njoroge, Jane Masta, Anthony Kwache

Published on Oct 21, 2024

Kwa nini mabadiliko ya mfumo wa chakula wa mijini yanahitaji mtazamo wa ufeministi

Article

Kwa nini mabadiliko ya mfumo wa chakula wa mijini yanahitaji mtazamo wa ufeministi

Makala haya yanatetea mabadiliko ya mifumo ya chakula mijini kwa kutambua jukumu muhimu la wanawake katika kuimarisha usalama wa chakula, hasa katika jamii zilizotengwa.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Zayaan Khan, Joanne Harding, Violet Shivutse, Nomonde Buthelezi, Lena Bassermann, Thembeka Sikobi, William Onura

Published on Oct 17, 2024

Why urban food system transformation requires a feminist approach

Article

Why urban food system transformation requires a feminist approach

This paper advocates for transforming urban food systems by recognising the crucial role of women in enhancing food security, particularly in marginalised communities.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Zayaan Khan, Joanne Harding, Violet Shivutse, Nomonde Buthelezi, Lena Bassermann, Thembeka Sikobi, William Onura

Published on Oct 17, 2024

Evaluating the contributions of women-run market stalls, kiosks and eateries in Nairobi, Kenya

Article

Evaluating the contributions of women-run market stalls, kiosks and eateries in Nairobi, Kenya

This article calls for a stronger focus on women's marginalisation and provides policy recommendations to support informal vendors. 

Written by Christian Sonntag, Emmanuel Atamba, Nicole Paganini, Maureen Musya, Evans Otibine, Omondi Okoyo, Patrick Njoroge, Jane Masta, Anthony Kwache

Published on Oct 17, 2024

Kutheni utshintsho lwemisebenzi yokuveliswa kuye ekutyiweni kokutya ezidolophini kufuna indlela yabaxhasi nabaxhobisa abasetyhini

Article

Kutheni utshintsho lwemisebenzi yokuveliswa kuye ekutyiweni kokutya ezidolophini kufuna indlela yabaxhasi nabaxhobisa abasetyhini

Eli phepha likhuthaza ukuguqulwa kweenkqubo zokutya zasezidolophini ngokuqaphela indima ebalulekileyo yabasetyhini ekuphuculeni ukhuseleko lokutya, ngakumbi kwiindawo zoluntu ezihlelelekileyo.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Zayaan Khan, Joanne Harding, Violet Shivutse, Nomonde Buthelezi, Lena Bassermann, Thembeka Sikobi, William Onura

Published on Oct 17, 2024

A feminist perspective on urban food system transformation

Info Brief

A feminist perspective on urban food system transformation

This publication delves into the critical yet often unnoticed roles of women in addressing food insecurity and fortifying urban resilience.

Written by Nicole Paganini

Published on Mar 07, 2024

Getting the story right and telling it well

Article

Getting the story right and telling it well

This Chapter featured in "Writing Together" published by transcript Verlag, authored by Nicole Paganini & Sanelisiwe Nyaba (Mimi), explores the decolonization of research & academic writing through storytelling and collaborative writing.

Written by Sanelisiwe Nyaba, Nicole Paganini

Published on Sep 20, 2023

The Megatrend Concept and Reflections on it

Article

The Megatrend Concept and Reflections on it

An opinion brief from the Urban Food Futures programme reflecting on the concept of megatrends as an approach to address the transformation of African urban and food systems

Written by Gareth Haysom, Nicole Paganini

Published on Sep 20, 2023

Culinary Canvas: Exploring Intersectionality and Crises through Cape Town's Feminist Flavors

Article

Culinary Canvas: Exploring Intersectionality and Crises through Cape Town's Feminist Flavors

An opinion brief from the Urban Food Futures programme analysing the role of social capital in building resilience against polycrises from a gender perspective.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Zayaan Khan

Published on Sep 20, 2023

Iindlela zokutshintsha imisebenzi yokuveliswa kuye ekutyiweni kokutya ezidolophini

Report

Iindlela zokutshintsha imisebenzi yokuveliswa kuye ekutyiweni kokutya ezidolophini

Ndaphelelela ukufinyelela ingxaki yokutya ngokungathengi ngokulawulo ngokuzimele.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt

Published on Jul 19, 2023

Verskillende we ë om stedelike voedselstelsels te transformeer

Report

Verskillende we ë om stedelike voedselstelsels te transformeer

Geleidelik besef die reg op voedsel deur 'n versterkte informele sektor.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt

Published on Jul 19, 2023

Voies à emprunter pour transformer les systèmes alimentaires urbains

Report

Voies à emprunter pour transformer les systèmes alimentaires urbains

Progressivement réaliser le droit à l'alimentation grâce à un secteur informel renforcé.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt

Published on Jul 19, 2023

Njia za  kubadilisha  mifumo ya  chakula mijini

Report

Njia za kubadilisha mifumo ya chakula mijini

Kutimiza kwa taratibu haki ya chakula kupitia sekta isiyo rasmi iliyoimarishwa.

Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt

Published on Jul 19, 2023

Pathways to transform urban food systems

Report

Pathways to transform urban food systems

Progressively realizing the right to food through a strengthened informal sector

Written by Nicole Paganini, Jes Weigelt

Published on Mar 23, 2023

A Human Rights-Based Approach to Food Security in Kenya and South Africa

Report

A Human Rights-Based Approach to Food Security in Kenya and South Africa

Exploring rights-based approaches to food security in low-income urban settings

Written by Elizabeth Kimani-Murage, Maureen Gitagia, David Osogo, Antonina Mutoro, Nicole Paganini

Published on Mar 01, 2023

Cape Town’s Food and Nutrition Crisis: Crafting systemic responses to systemic challenges

Report

Cape Town’s Food and Nutrition Crisis: Crafting systemic responses to systemic challenges

Highlights of policy event held from 18-19 November 2022 in Cape Town.

Written by Luke Metelerkamp, Lena Bassermann, Nicole Paganini

Published on Feb 10, 2023

What's cooking? Adding critical feminist research to the pot

Working Paper

What's cooking? Adding critical feminist research to the pot

How community kitchens, school feeding programmes and informal savings schemes support communities in time of crises and food insecurity

Written by J. Battersby, K. Ben-Zeev, N. Buthelezi, I. Fabricci, M. Fakazi, S. Kiragu-Wissler, Y. Magazi, P. Njoroge, H. Nyaba, S. Nyaba, M. Nyambura, A. Owade, N. Paganini, C. Peters, W. Peukers, P. Silwana, E. Sango, J. Weru

Published on Oct 27, 2022

Urban Commons: Community kitchens, saving schemes, and school feeding programmes

Info Brief

Urban Commons: Community kitchens, saving schemes, and school feeding programmes

Exploring the potential urban commons hold as spaces for social cohesion and nutrition justice

Written by Jane Battersby, Keren Ben-Zeev, Nomonde Buthelezi, Matilda Fazaki, Serah Kiragu-Wissler, Patrick Njoroge, Sanelisiwe Nayaba, Atula Owade, Nicole Paganini, Caroline Peters, Wendy Peuker, Pamela Silwana, Edouard Sango, Mary Wambui, Samuel Wairimu,Jane Weru

Published on Mar 17, 2022

Food Flows: Community kitchens and gardens in Gugulethu, Cape Town

Info Brief

Food Flows: Community kitchens and gardens in Gugulethu, Cape Town

Mapping existing community kitchens and gardens in the informal settlement Gugulethu in Cape Town

Written by Deon Lottering, Kathrin Krause, Nomonde Buthelezi, Busi Selena, Pamela Silwana, Nicole Paganini, Jane Battersby, Gareth Haysom

Published on Mar 17, 2022

Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Nairobi

Info Brief

Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Nairobi

Factsheet on farming in the Kenyan capital

Written by Nicole Paganini, Haidee Swanby, Samuel Wairimu, Edouard Sango

Published on Dec 02, 2021

Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Ouagadougou

Info Brief

Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Ouagadougou

Factsheet on farming in Burkina Faso's capital city

Written by Nicole Paganini, Haidee Swanby, Samuel Wairimu, Edouard Sango

Published on Dec 02, 2021

Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Cape Town

Info Brief

Ten Facts about Urban Agriculture in Cape Town

Factsheet on farming in South Africa's second city

Written by Nicole Paganini, Haidee Swanby, Samuel Wairimu, Edouard Sango

Published on Dec 02, 2021

Dialing up Critical Feminist Research as Lockdown Dialed us Down: How a Pandemic Sparked Community Food Dialogs in Cape Town, South Africa

Article

Dialing up Critical Feminist Research as Lockdown Dialed us Down: How a Pandemic Sparked Community Food Dialogs in Cape Town, South Africa

A co-authored paper reporting on household food security during the pandemic in four neighborhoods of the Cape Flats

Written by Nicole Paganini, Keren Ben-Zeev, Khutala Bokolo, Nomonde Buthelezi, Sanelisiwe Nyaba, Haidee Swanby

Published on Nov 15, 2021

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