About FAO News Multimedia Main topics Statistics Members Publications

Youth

Youth Engagement

WFF Youth Initiative

The World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Initiative is FAO's flagship platform for supporting Members in building the youth infrastructure needed for continuous generational renewal in agrifood systems. The WFF Youth Initiative invests not only in young people, but in the youth infrastructure that enables successive generations of young people to thrive.

Since its launch in 2021, the Initiative has evolved from an annual Global Youth Forum into a year-round global platform that brings together governments, young people, academia, civil society, the private sector and resource partners to strengthen the enabling environment for youth engagement and leadership.

The WFF Youth Initiative advances youth infrastructure through a portfolio of interconnected areas of work that strengthen young people's capabilities, agency and enabling systems. Together, they form an integrated youth programme that combines policy engagement, education, innovation, entrepreneurship, culture and country-level action to support Members in building the youth infrastructure needed for continuous generational renewal and resilient agrifood systems.

  • Youth in Agrifood Policy: providing a global platform ( WFF Youth Assembly) for young people to engage in policy dialogue, shape international agendas and bring youth perspectives into agrifood systems governance.
  • Local Youth Action: supporting nationally owned platforms ( WFF National Youth Chapters) that connect governments, young people and partners to strengthen policy dialogue, partnerships and sustained youth engagement at country level.
  • Young Women's Empowerment: advancing gender equality by strengthening leadership, opportunities and enabling environments for young women across agrifood systems.
  • Youth Agrifood Education: equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and learning opportunities needed to become the next generation of agrifood leaders, professionals and innovators.
  • Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation: supporting young entrepreneurs, innovators and start-ups to develop and scale solutions that contribute to more sustainable, resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.
  • Youth in Culture and Food Heritage: celebrating and revitalizing cultural diversity and food heritage while connecting generations through the knowledge, traditions and identities that sustain agrifood systems.