WFF Guatemala Youth Chapter: Celebrating national launch, linking global momentum to local action

On 20 March 2026, the national launch of the World Food Forum (WFF) Guatemala Youth Chapter was celebrated, bringing together young leaders, government institutions and international partners to strengthen youth engagement in agrifood systems across the country. The event marked an important milestone in advancing youth participation at the national level, building on the Chapter’s introduction at the 2025 WFF flagship event in Rome. The launch was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Country Office in Guatemala, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food and the National Youth Council (CONJUVE).

The Chapter operates as a youth-led, self-organised platform connecting local actors to address key challenges in Guatemala’s agrifood systems, including food security, climate change and social inclusion.

The event brought together over 60 participants, including 34 young representatives from across Guatemala, creating a dynamic space for dialogue, exchange and collaboration. A central moment of the launch was the signing of a joint commitment between FAO, CONJUVE and youth representatives, formalizing institutional support for the Chapter and reinforcing its role as a platform for youth-led action, strengthened participation and meaningful engagement with decision-makers. The Chapter responds to structural barriers that continue to limit youth participation in agrifood systems and rural development. In Guatemala, these challenges are particularly pronounced among rural and Indigenous youth, whose perspectives remain underrepresented in policy and decision-making spaces.

During the panel discussion “Youth transforming agrifood systems”, participants highlighted the need for greater access to economic opportunities, resources and recognition, stressing that agrifood systems must become a viable and attractive livelihood for younger generations. The discussion also underscored the role of women in agrifood systems, pointing to the need for equitable access to resources and leadership opportunities, as well as the value of combining innovation with ancestral knowledge to build more resilient agrifood systems.

Moving forward, the Chapter provides a structured entry point for collaboration between youth, public institutions and development partners, supporting the development of locally driven initiatives across the country.