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ABSTRACT

The SSF Forum on youth engagement was held in Athens, Greece, on 29–30 January 2026, in collaboration with WWF. The meeting brought together participants from across the region to exchange experiences and reflect on pathways to strengthen youth participation in the sector. Building on previous SSF Forum discussions, the workshop addressed youth engagement as a strategic priority for the future of small-scale fisheries. Discussions addressed entry barriers, youth representation, entrepreneurship and skills development, innovation and diversification, and the enabling conditions required for sustainable and profitable fisheries careers. Participants emphasized that ensuring generational renewal requires coordinated efforts to enhance economic viability, strengthen governance frameworks, and improve visibility of the sector. Investing in youth was recognized as essential to maintaining the long-term resilience of small-scale fisheries. The following conclusions affirm that youth engagement should be supported not only through access to fishing activity itself, but through the development of entrepreneurial pathways across the entire small-scale fisheries value chain, including processing, marketing, digital sales, eco-tourism, and innovation in low-impact gear and services.