Agrifood
Leadership
Education
Programme
The World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative)'s Agrifood Leadership Education Programme (ALEP) is a capacity development programme that empowers young leaders to drive sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems in their communities. It combines technical knowledge masterclasses, -developed in collaboration with the technical divisions of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - with soft skills training, mentorship, networking opportunities and engagement with the WFF National Youth Chapters, fostering a vibrant community of young changemakers worldwide.
ALEP aims to:
- Strengthen youth leadership and technical capacities in agrifood-related fields;
- Support innovative, community-based projects that address agrifood systems challenges; and
- Foster a global network of young leaders.
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ALEP 2026 Brochure
Programme pillars
Explore
Learn from experts through technical masterclasses.
Encourage
Build leadership, communication and project management skills.
Experience
Design and implement local initiatives with mentorship and peer support.
ALEP 2026 – Young Women’s Empowerment
In recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the 2026 edition of ALEP will focus on strengthening the leadership and career development of young women in agrifood systems. Designed for young women aged 18 to 35, the programme is open to active members of WFF National Youth Chapters as well as those interested in joining. Through structured capacity building sessions, mentorship and networking opportunities, participants will strengthen their knowledge, skills and self confidence to design and lead advocacy projects in their communities.
Each project proposal will focus on addressing the barriers and challenges faced by young women across agrifood systems, while also grounding the proposals in youth priority areas and localizing key outcomes from the WFF Youth Assembly’s thematic and regional processes for 2025–2026.
The programme will conclude with five participants receiving a grant to implement their selected advocacy project and advancing to the final phase, Experience.
ALEP 2026 on Water Action
The ALEP on Water Action Cohort is designed to empower young FAO professionals to lead transformative change in sustainable water management across agrifood systems. The programme fosters innovation in water efficiency, climate adaptation and integrated water governance. It forms part of the Capacity Development Programme for Water, Land and Soil in Agriculture (WaLaSA) led by FAO’s Land and Water Division, in collaboration with the WFF Youth Initiative within FAO’s Office of Youth and Women.
Past Editions: ALEP 2025
In partnership with Real Food Systems (RFS), and through the support of the AGCO Foundation and KidsforSDGs, the edition was designed to provide young leaders with essential tools, skills and mentorship, to equip them to make a tangible impact on the future of agrifood systems.
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