Encouraging the Next Generation of Agrifood Leaders: The Agrifood Leadership Education Programme (ALEP)
Launched on 15 October 2024 at the the AgX Fair Showcase during the World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event, the Agrifood Leadership Education Programme (ALEP) is the latest major initiative of the WFF Education Programme and Real Food Systems (RFS), designed to equip young leaders with the tools and expertise to transform local agrifood systems.
A platform for youth empowerment
ALEP is at the heart of WFF's mission to encourage young people to drive sustainable and equitable agrifood systems transformation. By fostering youth leadership, especially among young women, the programme empowers participants to take meaningful action in reshaping the future of food and agriculture. The initiative provides young leaders with practical tools, skills and mentorship, enabling them to launch impactful local projects and lead their communities toward sustainable change.
Bridging knowledge and action
ALEP is structured around fostering both technical knowledge and soft skills to support young leaders in addressing complex challenges within agrifood systems. Upon successful completion of the one-year programme, participants will be able to:
- Understand the importance of sustainable agriculture across several of its domains;
- Identify issues affecting our agrifood systems across each of FAO’s Four Betters framework;
- Describe some of the complex, interrelated issues within agrifood systems;
- Develop and create strategies for transforming local agrifood systems to ensure they are more sustainable and resilient;
- Collaborate with peers and local community groups to implement on-the-ground local actions that help transform local agrifood systems;
- Deliver educational workshops to other young leaders in their local communities, sharing the knowledge developed via ALEP;
- Evaluate personal and collective actions to promote sustainable agriculture, influence policy and local business; and
- Demonstrate effective soft skills when entering into agrifood systems jobs markets.
A holistic approach to leadership
The programme offers a unique learning experience through masterclasses and workshops delivered by experts and mentors, focusing on key areas such as:
- Systems Approach: Understanding the interconnectivity of agrifood systems and employing systems thinking in project development.
- Technology Integration: Exploring how innovations like precision agriculture and AI-driven analytics can improve efficiency and sustainability.
- Food Waste Reduction: Developing initiatives that address food waste across the supply chain.
- Community-Centric Agrifood Systems: Focusing on local sourcing, food sovereignty and equitable access to nutritious food.
Participants will also enhance their communication and leadership skills, with workshops on storytelling, digital communication strategies, ethics, integrity and policy advocacy.
Who can apply?
ALEP is open to applicants aged 18 to 35 (by 31 December 2024) who are passionate about agrifood systems and meet specific criteria, including enrollment in a related academic field and relevant professional or volunteer experience.
The programme prioritizes strengthening established WFF National Chapters*, accepting applicants from within these countries: *Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Nepal, Peru, Qatar, Sierra Leone, Tanzania (United Republic of), Uganda and Zimbabwe.
ALEP is a transformative opportunity for youth committed to reshaping the future of food. Applications are now open for the 2025 cohort: apply by 15 November 2024.
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