Through the Office of Youth and Women (OYW), FAO advances a transformative approach to youth engagement that positions young people as partners and contributors to agrifood systems transformation. The Office works to strengthen institutional pathways for youth participation across policy processes, programme development and intergenerational collaboration at national, regional and global levels.

OYW supports youth engagement by strengthening capacities, expanding partnerships and creating opportunities for young people, especially young women, to influence decision-making processes and contribute to innovative solutions addressing food security, rural development and resilience challenges.

An important platform supporting this work is the World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action Initiative, launched in 2021 by FAO’s Youth Committee. The WFF Youth Initiative creates opportunities for collaboration and youth engagement across policy, science and innovation, entrepreneurship, education and skills, culture and food heritage, and local youth action. Through its programmes and engagement mechanisms, the Initiative amplifies youth perspectives and supports youth-driven solutions for agrifood systems transformation worldwide.