The World Food Forum

Youth Innovation Lab

Youth Innovation Lab

#worldfoodforum

Youth-led Innovation: Driving agrifood systems transformation

Innovation is an essential pillar for reshaping global agrifood systems to be more inclusive, sustainable and resilient.

To find and unleash the full range of innovations needed to support this transformation, we must empower those who will inherit today’s challenges - fostering and supporting youth-led innovation.

The WFF Youth Innovation Lab aims to empower young innovators - particularly from low- and middle-income countries - to lead this transformation by providing inclusive platforms that enhance access to knowledge, networks and resources.

With a strong focus on young researchers and entrepreneurs, the Lab is building a dynamic global ecosystem with the support of a diverse range of stakeholders across international organizations, governments, the private sector, academia and civil society.

Get involved

The World Food Forum needs youth volunteers, partners and sponsors to participate, help bring the event to life, and spread the word about the WFF and the key issues facing our global food systems.

If you are a young and ambitious innovator who wants to join the movement and create a better food future with us, sign up for our mailing list and follow us on social media to keep up to date on our latest news.

To become a volunteer, partner or sponsor, email us at [email protected].

Our approach

By adopting a people-centered approach, the Lab places young innovators at the heart of agrifood systems transformation, enabling them to develop and scale their solutions through three core pillars:

Capacity Development

Through technical training, mentorship, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities, young people are equipped with the skills and tools they need to innovate.

Network and community building

By creating visibility for youth-led solutions and facilitating access to global and local platforms, young innovators are empowered to connect, collaborate and form multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Access to resources

Through offering access to financial, technical and institutional resources, young innovators are given the support they need to pilot, sustain and scale their innovations.

“Youths are eager to better the world but require development of skills to turn their dreams into reality and programs like YFL helps achieve it step-by-step.” - Anu Rai, Wetlands for Nepal, YFL 2023

How do we do this?

We identify and support a range of young innovators at different stages in their innovation journeys via our three programme pathways:

TRANSFORMATIVE
RESEARCH CHALLENGE
Learn more +
Early-stage research

Supports emerging researchers to turn promising concepts and evidence-based ideas into actionable research proposals and validated prototypes ready for piloting.

YOUTH
FOOD LAB
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Venture formation and early growth

Equips young entrepreneurs to build and refine mission-driven startups and non-profits—testing business models, sharpening go-to-market strategies and preparing for implementation in real contexts.

STARTUP
INNOVATION AWARDS
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Scale-up and investment readiness

Showcases maturing startups ready to expand - connecting them with expert review, seed funding, visibility and pathways to partnerships that support replication and growth.

“It has been such a great opportunity to network and, of course, get in front of the judges and investors from around the world who are all individuals we are really inspired by. The network of XTC and of FAO is so impressive.  It really takes you far and will help keep you connected.” - SAFI: Digital Innovation In Food Processing Award Winner 2024

Youth driven change is happening now

Our approach is designed for maximum reach, engagement and impact, targeting young people across the globe.

+ 4 400
applications for our competitions and challenges

500
youth-led projects
supported

USD 470 000
in grants and
seed funding

Investing in youth means investing in the future of agrifood systems, empowering the next generation to lead the way toward a more sustainable, equitable and food-secure world.

News

Meet the 2025 Startup Innovation Awards finalists
28/07/2025

The World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action Initiative’s Startup Innovation Awards (SIA), powered by Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), is a global competition...

Youth Food Lab Nepal launches Agrifood Incubation Programme
23/07/2025

On 4 July 2025, the Youth Food Lab (YFL) Nepal officially launched its 2025 Agrifood Incubation Programme with a virtual kick-off session. Part of the...

Announcing the 2025 Startup Innovation Awards Semi-Finalists
03/07/2025

The World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action Initiative’s Startup Innovation Awards (SIA), powered by Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), is a global competition...

WFF and Penn State University join efforts to advance youth-led innovation
Youth Food Lab North America: WFF and Penn State University join efforts to advance youth-led innovation
06/06/2025

FAO and Penn State University have signed a cooperation agreement which will enhance their collaboration on establishing Youth Food...

Youth-led innovation: Empowering the next generation of agrifood innovators
30/05/2025

On 6 May 2025, the World Food Forum (WFF)’s Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative) participated in the 10th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science,...

WFF Youth Food Lab Global Incubator Programme launches its third cohort
09/05/2025

The World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Food Lab (YFL) Global Incubator Programme has launched its third cohort. After two successful years of supporting young...