Regional
consultations
and sessions
Europe and Central Asia
Regional achievements
Since 2022, the WFF Europe and Central Asia Youth Assembly has engaged over 800 young people through regional consultations, creating the first Global Youth Action Compendium. In 2022, key regional priorities were identified, including food education, sustainable agrifood systems and food loss reduction.
Building on this foundation, the 2023-2024 period saw over 500 participants join consultations, refining these priorities to emphasize youth participation in policymaking, digital skills training and food loss reduction strategies. These efforts have strengthened the global impact of youth-driven agrifood solutions.
Timeline
- 2021: Launching the Youth Action Compendium
In 2021, the Youth Assembly launched the Youth Action Compendium, highlighting youth demands in agrifood systems with a focus on the FAO's Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life.
- 2022: Laying the foundation
In 2022, the Europe and Central Asia region initiated the development of its Youth Action Regional Compendium, analyzing over 30 youth-led documents and holding virtual consultations and surveys. Key policy priority areas for the region included reducing food loss and waste, supporting smallholder farmers, and improving access to nutritious food.
- 2023: Identifying challenges and calls to action
In 2023, the focus turned to food loss and waste, with recommendations for preventive measures, education, and increased youth involvement in addressing these challenges.
- 2024: Narrowing the focus
By 2024, the Europe and Central Asia Youth Assembly highlighted the need for stronger youth engagement in the agrifood supply chain, particularly in rural areas. Calls were made for more training, resources, and policy changes to empower young people in these spaces, setting the stage for the Global Youth Action Plan (GYAP) 2025-2026.
Regional policy priority for the GYAP
The selected regional priority for the GYAP is to increase youth involvement across various fields and positions within the supply chain by fostering local collaborations. These efforts will focus on reducing food loss throughout the supply chain while promoting youth participation in rural development initiatives.
Actionable items in the Regional Youth Action Plan
- Enhance knowledge and awareness of food loss in Western Europe.
- Champion youth voices in rural communities and decision-making processes in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The action plan will be implemented throughout 2025-2026. For more details, explore the timeline below or consult the document.
Regional Youth Action Plan Implementation Timeline
2025
Q1
- Develop the Food Loss Awareness Campaign with WFF National Youth Chapters, and build partnerships.
- Propose the Central Asia Rural Champion programme to FAO Regional Office and WFF National Youth Chapters.
Q2
- Hold regular consultations with WFF National Youth Chapters and the Youth Assembly for stakeholder mapping strategies.
- Begin monthly consultations with the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (GIYC).
- Develop terms of reference for the Indigenous Regional Youth Agrifood Council and co-design a session with the GIYC and the YPB.
- Plan collaboration for the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum in Uzbekistan.
Q3
- Create a social media and podcast series featuring young farmers on food loss reduction.
- Identify national food loss and waste strategies and stakeholders.
- Develop a working plan for the Indigenous Regional Youth Agrifood Council.
- Recruit Rural Youth Champions.
2025-26
Q4 - Q3
- Launch bi-monthly social media campaigns and podcasts until mid-2026.
- Present food policy priorities at the 2025 WFF.
- Open 2026 membership applications for the council.
- Appoint Rural Youth Champions in Central Asia.
- Co-host a YPB-UNESCO event on “Youth Culture and Agri-Culture” at the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum.
Read more about the other Regional Consultations
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