“I launched the Villages Recognition initiative, to highlight the vital role of rural villages in advancing sustainable agrifood systems, preserving food traditions and local knowledge, and fostering inclusive rural transformation.”
About the initiative
Championed by the FAO Director-General as part of the MuNe, the initiative recognizes, celebrates and promotes villages and rural communities that are advancing sustainable agrifood systems while safeguarding their natural heritage, local knowledge, food traditions and cultural identity. Each recognized village receives a digital Certificate of Recognition from FAO, that highlights its unique contribution and achievements.
From innovative solutions and sustainable practices to environmental stewardship and community-led action, recognized villages showcase the diverse ways rural communities are contributing to the global narrative of rural transformation for a more sustainable future. Through the MuNe Network, they become part of a growing community where experiences are shared, connections are built and local achievements inspire others.
Why join?
Gain increased visibility
The Certificate of Recognition provides a mark of distinction that helps villages increase the visibility of their achievements, local knowledge, food traditions and innovations to an international audience.
Join a growing global community
Connect with recognized FAO villages worldwide through the FAO MuNe Network to exchange experiences, inspire new ideas and enhance mutual learning.
Build on Recognition
Use the Recognition as a foundation to strengthen visibility, promote existing initiatives and explore opportunities for collaboration aligned with local and national priorities.
Nominate a village
Participating is simple. Members, FAO Decentralized Offices and technical Divisions can nominate villages that reflect the diversity of rural life and agrifood systems in their countries. There is no limit to the number of nominations which are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. The initiative's team is available to provide mentoring, guidance and support throughout the process of nomination.
-
Prepare
-
1
Identify villages
Identify villages that represent the diversity and strengths of your country's rural areas
-
2
Select a Recognition category
Choose the category that best reflects the distinctive characteristics of each village
-
3
Develop the nomination
Prepare the village narrative and gather the information needed to support the nomination as outlined in the supporting guidance
-
Submit
-
4
Complete the Online Nomination Form
Read the supporting guidance and submit the completed online form
-
5
Upload supporting materials
Provide photographs, videos and other supporting documentation through the appropriate channels
-
Finalize
-
6
Consolidate the village profile
Work with the initiative's team to complete the village profile for online publication, and once finalized, receive the FAO Villages Certificate of Recognition
What happens after Recognition?
Recognition is only the beginning. It acknowledges achievements and seeks to create opportunities for villages to gain visibility, connect with peers, exchange experiences and inspire others. It also provides a foundation for Members, FAO and partners to build on the recognition through collaboration and locally driven action.
Discover how FAO Villages are being celebrated
Explore stories, news, videos, interviews and social media content from FAO Villages worldwide. See how communities, Members, FAO Offices and partners are celebrating village Recognition.
Have you published a story about a recognized FAO Village?
We welcome links to communication materials that highlight recognized villages and the activities inspired by the initiative. Selected contributions may be featured on this page to showcase experiences from around the world and inspire the growing FAO Villages community.
Share your storyFAQs
A Village Promoter can nominate a village. For the purpose of the initiative, Village Promoters are the entities eligible to submit village nominations. These are (i) FAO Members, through their national authorities, including their Permanent Representations to the Organization;
(ii) FAO Decentralized Offices, in consultation with local authorities and (iii) FAO technical Divisions and Offices in consultation with FAO Representatives (FAORs).
Local stakeholders such as community organizations, rural institutions and other relevant actors may support the identification, preparation and promotion of village nominations in coordination with the relevant Village Promoter.
Yes. FAO Decentralized Offices play a critical role by facilitating dialogue with national authorities and local stakeholders, supporting the preparation of nominations where appropriate, and helping to ensure that nominations are complete and coherent. Therefore, in addition to being a Village Promoter, the FAO Office can act as convener, facilitator, quality assurer and connector.
The initiative does not apply a single universal definition of “village” or “rural community”. The definitions of village and rural community are determined at national level, allowing identification of communities that best reflect rural realities, administrative structures and development context of the country. Nominations should therefore follow the applicable national definitions and classifications.
No. The initiative does not establish an assessment mechanism based on fixed criteria, thresholds or minimum standards that villages must meet in order to be recognized. Instead, it focuses on showcasing the distinctive qualities, achievements and aspirations of each nominated village and the people who shape it. The four Recognition categories, consistent with the Organization's Strategic Framework 2022-2031, provide the only overarching framework for presenting each village.
Yes. Villages already recognized by other initiatives, as well as those involved in or taking part in FAO programmes and activities, may be nominated, provided that they are relevant to the scope and categories of the initiative. Village Promoters are encouraged to nominate all villages they believe merit recognition, without limiting nominations to a small set of “best” examples.
Yes. There is no upper limit to the number of villages that may be nominated by Village Promoters. Village Promoters are encouraged to nominate all villages they consider representative of national priorities, local realities and development achievements. Each village must be submitted separately through its own Online Form for Village Nomination.
The Recognition Category should be chosen based on the village’s primary identity and the main reason for its nomination. Only one category must be selected for each village. Many villages will naturally reflect strengths across several categories. In these cases, the village should be nominated under the category that best reflects its most distinctive characteristic(s) or achievement(s), while acknowledging that its strengths may also relate to other categories.
All nomination guidance, supporting documents, templates and forms are available through the “Nominate a village” section. Reference documents can also be found in the “Documents” section of this webpage.
To submit a village nomination, Village Promoters should consult the relevant guidance first, and complete the Online Form for Village Nomination available on this website, together with supporting materials.
Once submitted, the nomination is reviewed by the initiative team to ensure that the information provided is complete and aligned with the scope of the initiative. The village focal point may be contacted if further information or clarification is required.
No. The nomination process remains open throughout the year, with no fixed deadlines or application windows. Villages may therefore be nominated at any time, allowing the global FAO Villages community to continue growing as new villages are recognized.
Once the Online Form for Village Nomination has been submitted, the information will be reviewed by the initiative team to ensure that the information provided is complete, coherent and ready for publication on the initiative’s digital platform (available soon).
The review process is not an evaluation or selection exercise. It is intended to verify that nominations are complete, coherent and ready for publication, and to work with Village Promoters and focal points, where necessary, to clarify or strengthen the information provided so that each village can be presented to its fullest potential.
The time required for the review may vary depending on the completeness of the nomination, the need for any follow-up clarifications and the volume of nominations being processed.
No. The initiative is non-competitive in nature and does not rank or compare villages. Each village is recognized for its unique identity, value and achievements, giving greater visibility to its story, practices, knowledge and heritage. The initiative celebrates the diversity of each village and encourages broad participation so that a wide range of village experiences can be recognized and valued further.
No. Recognition is the foundation of the initiative. Its purpose is to increase the visibility of villages and create an enabling environment in which Recognition may, where relevant, help catalyze locally driven opportunities, including partnerships, knowledge exchange and investment.
The initiative is therefore not a funding mechanism. Recognition does not entail financial support, grants, technical assistance or direct resource allocation, nor does it create any entitlement or expectation of subsequent support.
The digital Certificate of Recognition will be shared through the official FAO Villages Recognition initiative email account ([email protected]) with the village focal point and the Village Promoters' relevant contacts.
Certificates are issued periodically once the nominations review process has been successfully completed. The timing may therefore vary depending on when a nomination is confirmed as complete and ready for recognition.
The Certificate of Recognition is the official acknowledgement that a village has been recognized under the FAO Villages Recognition initiative. Recognition provides increased visibility, opportunities for connection and knowledge exchange, and a platform to showcase achievements and explore potential collaboration opportunities or resource mobilization.
Villages, in collaboration with Village Promoters, may also choose to celebrate their Recognition through local events, ceremonies or public occasions, helping strengthen community pride, local identity and engagement with local, national and international stakeholders.
Get in touch
Interested in nominating a village or learning more about the FAO Villages Recognition initiative?
Whether you need guidance on identifying villages, support with the nomination process, or further information about the initiative, the initiative's team is available to support.
Contact us at:
FAO Villages Recognition initiative: [email protected]