Applications Invited for WFF Youth Representatives Programme

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About the Organization

A world free from hunger and malnutrition, where empowered youth drive agrifood systems transformation to foster livelihoods, improve lives and protect our planet.

The WFF's Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative), hosted within the Office of Youth and Women (OYW) of FAO is a dynamic platform empowering youth to transform agrifood systems for a better food future. Through its five thematic programmes - Youth Assembly, Youth Innovation Lab, Youth Education, Youth Culture and Local Youth Action, it provides young people with the tools, knowledge and networks needed to create and scale actionable and sustainable solutions.

About the Program

Recognizing the fundamental need for inclusive and meaningful representation of youth in global agrifood governance, it is critical to establish structures that enable youth participation in policy decision-making spaces in the agrifood sector.

To enable youth priorities to feed into global agrifood policy discussions, the World Food Forum (WFF)'s Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative) engages members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), partners, youth organizations, youth constituencies and other relevant bodies as Youth Representatives to the WFF Youth Assembly. The Youth Assembly acts as the main platform for youth to systematically voice their perspectives and priorities for agrifood systems transformation. In addition, through the WFF National Youth Chapters,  these Youth Representatives can translate policy recommendations into concrete actions at the local level.

The WFF Youth Representatives Programme is designed to:

• Strengthen youth engagement and co-leadership in decision-making spaces through the WFF Youth Assembly, which serves as a sustained, self-organized and structured platform for youth advocacy and action in agrifood systems;
• Facilitate the mobilization of actionable and innovative solutions, bringing youth-driven priorities from local and national levels to global agrifood policy discussions throughout the year and at the WFF flagship event from 10 to 17 October 2025; and
• Ensure diverse representation, particularly for youth from underrepresented regions and sectors, such as the Global South, young farmers, Indigenous youth and marginalized communities, so they can contribute to shaping inclusive and impactful agrifood policies.

Benefits:

The WFF Youth Representatives Programme provides young people with an opportunity to:

• Engage in global deliberations as panelists or discussants, sharing perspectives and insights to ensure youth voices from all backgrounds and local contexts are meaningfully represented in regional and thematic Youth Assembly sessions, consultations and workshops virtually throughout the year and in person at the WFF flagship event from 10 to 17 October 2025;
• Contribute to drafting youth-oriented policies and statements by reviewing language, providing technical expertise and sharing regional and local youth perspectives;
• Foster youth consensus within local communities to identify specific agrifood systems challenges and propose actionable, innovative and inclusive solutions and priorities at the community, local and national levels; and
• Engage with WFF National Youth Chapters, where established, to support local action to transform agrifood systems.

Eligibility

To be considered for the programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 35 years old for the entire duration of their tenure and can include:
• members of a youth organization and/or network related to food, agriculture, development, environment and any other relevant field;
• stakeholder group members; (i.e. young farmers, fisherfolks, Indigenous youth, etc.);
• young members of a ministry, cabinet or any other national institution;
• students in the various fields of agrifood systems and related fields;
• past and current youth delegates to the United Nations and/or international conferences; and
• young individuals with a keen interest in food, agriculture, development, environment or any other relevant field.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to adapt to an international and multicultural environment, and possess strong intercultural communication skills.
• Applicants must demonstrate commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in all activities.
• Preference is given to applicants with experience within youth constituencies or organizations.
• Special consideration is given to women and underrepresented stakeholders, including farmers and Indigenous Peoples.
• Current WFF's Young Scientists Group (YSG) or Youth Policy Board (YPB) members are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants are encouraged to reapply at the end of their tenure, under the condition that they continue to meet all the above-mentioned criteria;
• Academic delegations nominated by universities as part of the WFF Youth Education Programme;
• Government-nominated delegations.

How to Apply

The WFF Youth Representatives Programme operates on a cohort-based system, with two calls for applications per year to ensure structured and periodic engagement. Selected candidates serve a one-year term, with opportunities for continued involvement. Applications for the second cohort are now open until August 10.

Apply now

For more information please check the Link

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