The World Food Forum Youth Food Lab (YFL) nurtures youth-led, disruptive innovations so they reach their full potential and drive the change we need to achieve a better food future for all. The YFL was launched in 2023 by the WFF Youth Initiative along with Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and the International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences (IAAS). The YFL now is a global ecosystem of regional and national Youth Food Labs (YFL Network) that emerge with the aim to bolster youth innovations rooted in the local contexts.
The YFL empowers young entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to develop resilient, inclusive and future-ready business models that can be scaled into sustainable solutions that transform agrifood systems.
Through capacity development, hands-on support, mentorship, networking, matchmaking with investors and other forms of support, the YFL empowers young innovators so they can unlock their full potential and catalyze the transformation needed for a better food future.
64
innovations
supported
8 000+
beneficiaries
38
nationalities
represented
96%
participants from the Global South
52%
female
participation
550+
hours of capacity development delivered
90+
mentors
and trainers
The YFL Global Incubator is an online incubator under the WFF Youth Initiative which brings together early-stage projects from different countries and regions every year. Teams go through an intense eight-month capacity development and mentorship programme. Teams are connected to experts, governments, potential investors and other stakeholders that support the development and scaling process. At the end of the programme, top teams are invited to take part in the WFF YFL Final event, pitching their projects live on a global stage. This event also gives young entrepreneurs the chance to directly engage with stakeholders.
The YFL Global selects projects for its annual cohort from finalists of the WFF Transformative Research Challenge, WUR Food Systems Innovation Challenge and IAAS Global Project Competition. Eligibility for YFL therefore requires prior selection as a finalist in one of these partner-led challenges.
Participants will receive training to support the ideation, development and scaling of solutions and projects as well as communications training.
Participants will receive mentorship and hands-on support from experts in the field to turn their ideas into sustainable business models.
Participants will be able to join the WFF Innovation Network, a community of practice among participants, mentors, partners, funders and other global leaders and organizations. The network will provide long-term support, training, connections, learning experiences, intergenerational mentoring, exchange and opportunities.
Participants reach a large global audience through the WFF Youth Initiative social media and digital platforms, as well as pitching their projects at the WFF flagship event.
Hover over the cards for more details.
Hover over the cards for more details.
Hover over the cards for more details.
An initiative of 
