Director-General marks new action phase of FAO Villages Recognition Initiative

Rome – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu launched the second phase of the FAO Villages Recognition Initiative at FAO headquarters, highlighting how the initiative is moving from the recognition of rural communities to concrete action at local level.

Launched in 2025 as part of FAO’s 80th anniversary, the initiative recognizes villages and rural communities that protect biodiversity, preserve food and cultural traditions, promote agritourism and use science, innovation and digital solutions to support sustainable rural development.

The first phase attracted more than 300 nominations from 69 countries across all FAO regions. Selected villages received a certificate recognizing their contribution and will now become part of a wider effort to share local experiences, strengthen visibility and create new opportunities for collaboration.

Through the FAO Museum and Network (MuNe), recognized villages will be featured on a dedicated interactive map, helping make their stories visible globally and connecting them with partners, institutions and other communities.

“This second phase is about translating recognition into concrete impact at the local level,” the Director-General said. He also stressed that FAO Representatives and village focal points will play an important role in supporting this process, helping communities identify opportunities, share knowledge and turn recognition into practical initiatives.

The Director-General noted how the initiative is not a competition, but a way to value local excellence and show how rural communities are already contributing to agrifood systems transformation.

By linking rural heritage, innovation and collaboration, the Villages Recognition Initiative aims to make local experiences part of a broader global exchange on more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.