FIRST INSEAI WORKSHOP – Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil

The first workshop of the INSEAI Network was held on 20–21 November 2025, bringing together researchers and practitioners from diverse disciplines to explore the theoretical foundations of informality. The event was delivered in a hybrid format, with the in-person sessions hosted at the Universidade Federal Fluminense, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). 

Under the title “Theoretical Context on Informal Activity: Conceptual Frameworks, Informality and Sustainable Growth Models”, the workshop invited contributions addressing informality from macroeconomic, microeconomic and interdisciplinary perspectives. Discussions focused on informal growth models, sustainability, and the complex dynamics that shape informal behaviours within economic systems. 

Across two days, dozens of researchers shared their expertise, enriching the academic exchange promoted by the INSEAI Network. 

The programme also included two keynote lectures: 

• “From Macro Dynamics to Micro Behaviours: What’s New in Research on Informality Since the 70s?”, delivered by François Roubaud, Senior Research Fellow at the French Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Université Paris-Dauphine (France), and visiting professor at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ, Brazil). 

• “Informal Economy in Brazil: Informal Labour – Structural and Cyclical Results”, by João Hallak, economist at Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). 

All videos are available HERE.

This workshop marks the launch of the INSEAI workshop series, which will continue throughout the duration of the project. 

The next workshop will take place at the University of Salerno (Italy) in 2026. 

From left to right: Santos Ruesga y Julimar Da Silva (UAM)                                             From left to right: Nuria Laguna (UAM) y Emma Ávila (DESH)