WFF Ecuador Youth Chapter: Youth leading food waste management

The World Food Forum (WFF) Ecuador Youth Chapter launched the first edition of the Escuela de Gestión de Residuos (School on Waste Management), an initiative that combines education, community engagement and practical leadership to address one of the country’s most pressing issues, waste management.

Designed as a space where young Ecuadorians learn by doing, the initiative empowers youth to turn awareness into action and apply practical solutions that strengthen local agrifood systems. It guides participants from understanding the scale of the problem to becoming part of the solution, rooted in a simple idea: waste is a design flaw that can be redesigned.

During the first session, participants explored the journey of waste, from household bins to landfills and waterways, and learned how everyday choices can reduce pollution and protect local ecosystems. Through hands-on activities, they practiced separating, reducing and transforming waste. They built composters, learned the basics of composting and discovered how organic waste can become a resource that nourishes the soil. The programme also promotes the “Basura Cero” (zero waste) approach, encouraging reduction, reuse and recycling.

Beyond technical skills, the initiative strengthens civic engagement and leadership. Participants learned about citizen participation tools and through activities like stakeholder mapping, project planning and community leadership training, developed projects tailored to their communities, from neighbourhood composting to environmental education initiatives. The Chapter also connects youth with local authorities, organizations and producers to ensure that their ideas can grow and have a long-term impact.

The first edition of the Escuela de Gestión de Residuos marks a meaningful step for the Chapter. It shows how youth-led learning, community action and practical problem-solving can drive real change, proving that participation is not just about being heard, but about shaping solutions that improve daily life and the environment.