About the WFF Ireland Youth Chapter

The Youth Food Forum (YFF) is the Ireland Youth Chapter of the World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action Initiative. It is Ireland’s only multisectoral youth-led platform focused on transforming agrifood systems for a sustainable future. The Chapter brings together young people from across sectors to engage in dialogue, action and innovation, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Chapter’s vision is a food- and nutritionally-secure Ireland in 2100, where people of all ages are actively engaged in sustainable food production, consumption, culture and advocacy.

Its mission is to ignite youth passion for Ireland’s food future and equip young leaders with the tools and networks to shape it. The Chapter is an open, inclusive and forward-looking space, where young people access the latest knowledge, exchange ideas and collaborate on solutions for agrifood systems in Ireland and beyond. Through youth-led action, the Chapter builds cross-sector partnerships and creates new opportunities for impact at national, regional and global levels, working towards a sustainable, inclusive and nutritious food future for all.

The Chapter engages young people through networking events, high-level dialogues and international exchange, including the opportunity to represent Ireland in global fora such as the WFF flagship event and the Committee on World Food Security.

These activities equip youth with practical and policy literacy on agrifood systems in Irish, European and international contexts, while also strengthening skills in dialogue, negotiation and collaboration.

Key objectives

Young people on the island of Ireland are connected by shared agrifood systems, shaped by a common agro-ecological landscape, family farm model and agricultural economy. In addition, youth in this sector face the same challenges including climate and environmental concerns, competitive and volatile global markets, changing demographics and consumer demands. Agrifood systems policies in both constituencies share mutual values and goals. Ireland's national strategy, Food Vision 2030,  aspires to position the country as a world leader in sustainable food systems, with a strong focus on environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Based on dialogues which have taken place to date, the Chapter's key objectives are:

• Revitalizing rural areas and making agriculture more attractive to young people across the island of Ireland;
• Raising awareness of career opportunities for youth in the agrifood sector, including roles beyond farming and across the value chain;
• Promoting youth engagement in policymaking for sustainable agrifood systems transformation; and
• Fostering consensus and mutual understanding among different agrifood systems stakeholders, from farmers to consumers.

Initiatives

The Chapter is currently undertaking several actions aimed at strengthening youth participation in the transformation of agrifood systems. These initiatives include:

• Workshops on food and agricultural policies led by local and international experts;
• Youth exchanges at the European and international levels within the framework of FAO and IFIAD partnerships; and
• Community educational activities aimed at raising youth awareness about sustainability and innovation challenges in agriculture.

Collaborations

The Chapter operates under the guidance of an organizing committee and is run on a voluntary basis, supported by a range of partners who contribute technical, financial and strategic guidance:

• Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development (IFIAD) – Host organization providing technical, secretariat and financial management support.
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Ireland) – Strategic and programme support.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)