Munch! FIFA 2026 Impacts Lab - Project Alignment & Resource Mapping

Voor Urban Labs invites you to a new season of Munch focused on improving the City of Vancouver’s Sustainability and Human Rights Strategy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Let’s hear from subject experts and participate in the discussion as we collaborate to assess how important issues in Vancouver are included or excluded from the City’s planning for the World Cup. These sessions serve as a collaborative laboratory where we move beyond mega event promises to establish the Community Playbook—a set of policy standards and accountability metrics designed to deliver benefits and accountability for the $700M municipal investment.

The outcomes of these discussions will be presented to delegates at the Beyond the Pitch Conference on April 29 at SFU Vancouver. This event is a strategic policy intervention held exactly one day before the FIFA Congress—the governing body’s principal legislative assembly where leadership from 211 nations will convene blocks away at the Vancouver Convention Centre. By aligning our findings with this global summit, we ensure our community-led standards are part of the record during FIFA’s peak decision-making window. Joining community and urban policy experts will be international experts on mega events and efforts to hold FIFA accountable to the fans of the beautiful game.

Join us at the Voor office biweekly on Thursdays staring February 12, 19, Mar 5, 19, April 2, 16. Learn more and share more by discussing these policy areas. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Register to other sessions (Feb19, Mar 5, Mar 19, April 2, April 16) at this link.

• The Analytical Framework: An overview of the host city’s existing obligations and the specific areas where Voor Urban Labs has identified a need for independent oversight.
• Information Sharing: We are inviting collaborators—including subject matter experts, graduate student researchers, community organization members, and local politicians—to take an active role as we gather together. What are the key issues, risks and where is good work happening? This will guide future sessions and contribute to the April 29th Conference.
• First Nations Participation: Learn about how the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations are playing a hosting role and welcoming thousands of visitors to these lands. How are the Coast Salish protocols being respected (or not) and what is the 100 year history of First Nations and soccer.
• Defining the Agenda: We invite specific suggestions for witnesses, data sources, and overlooked impacts to ensure the remaining sessions are populated with technical and lived expertise.

Munch! is a series of biweekly meetups that brings together social policy, urban planning, community activists and professionals to talk about important issues over beverages and food. Located above Pizza Coming Soon at Main and Pender this is a low-barrier place to learn and shape how to make cities work for people. Voor routinely uses this interdisciplinary “urban lab” model to bridge the gap between technical research and lived experience, creating an informal yet structured environment where complex urban challenges are unpacked through shared dialogue.

The values and protocols of these events are based on reciprocity, respect of diverse opinions and voices, and mutual respect is the objective. Come in as you are, be respectful of others and enjoy the company. Your participation is free and voluntary.

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