FAO's rural youth programming is carried out through field projects, with individual countries and/or several countries together on a regional basis; and through programmed activities which are part of a six-year Medium Term Plan. To better understand the nature of FAO's work, the terms "operational" and "normative" are often used to describe how projects and activities are carried out and their intended outcomes. Rarely do projects and activities exist in the pure form of being exclusively operation or exclusively normative; they are often a blend of the two. Usually projects and activities are referred to as "tending to be more operational" or "tending to be more normative."

Many field projects are considered primarily operational, especially those providing straight forward technical assistance, involving already tested methods and technology. On the other hand, work under the Medium Term Plan is considered mostly normative. Normative work involves the design and testing of innovative methodologies; carrying out research; building databases; and establishing norms and standards. In addition, normative work includes getting the technical information out to end users, in our case, rural youth professionals, volunteer leaders and young people themselves. This can be accomplished through training, newsletters, electronic media, written publications and other documents, such as guides, handbooks, training modules and curriculum materials. Most of the rural youth development field projects include major normative components.

Many field projects are considered primarily operational, especially those providing straight forward technical assistance, involving already tested methods and technology. On the other hand, work under the Medium Term Plan is considered mostly normative. Normative work involves the design and testing of innovative methodologies; carrying out research; building databases; and establishing norms and standards. In addition, normative work includes getting the technical information out to end users, in our case, rural youth professionals, volunteer leaders and young people themselves. This can be accomplished through training, newsletters, electronic media, written publications and other documents, such as guides, handbooks, training modules and curriculum materials. Most of the rural youth development field projects include major normative components.

Starting January 2000, FAO began a new initiative in support of rural youth development programming, Youth in Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods. Building on previous work, the new plan has three major outputs: (1) strategic actions to promote and support rural youth development worldwide; (2) building human capacity through staff development/training and information/knowledge support; and (3) improving the design and delivery of rural youth development programming. This programme is built on recommendations from the 1995 Expert Consultation on Extension Rural Youth Programmes and Sustainable Development and subsequently influenced by the 1996 World Food Summit.

The plan is ambitious! Only certain areas will be worked on during each of the three two-year planning and budget cycles (2002-2003, 2004-2005, and 2006-2007) that make up the Medium Term Plan. Over the course of the six years, many of these activities will be completed, however some will have to be postponed until partners are found and/or additional funds becomes available.

The major outputs, components and proposed results include the following: