Become a voice for change:
Join the WFF Youth Representatives Programme!

Recognizing the fundamental need for inclusive and meaningful representation of youth in global agrifood governance, it is critical to establish structures that enable youth participation in policy decision-making spaces in the agrifood sector.

To enable youth priorities to feed into global agrifood policy discussions, the World Food Forum (WFF)'s Global Youth Action Initiative (Youth Initiative) engages members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), partners, youth organizations, youth constituencies and other relevant bodies as Youth Representatives to the WFF Youth Assembly. The Youth Assembly acts as the main platform for youth to systematically voice their perspectives and priorities for agrifood systems transformation. In addition, through the WFF National Youth Chapters,  these Youth Representatives can translate policy recommendations into concrete actions at the local level.

The WFF Youth Representatives Programme is designed to:

• Strengthen youth engagement and co-leadership in decision-making spaces through the WFF Youth Assembly, which serves as a sustained, self-organized and structured platform for youth advocacy and action in agrifood systems;
• Facilitate the mobilization of actionable and innovative solutions, bringing youth-driven priorities from local and national levels to global agrifood policy discussions throughout the year and at the WFF flagship event from 10 to 17 October 2025; and
• Ensure diverse representation, particularly for youth from underrepresented regions and sectors, such as the Global South, young farmers, Indigenous youth and marginalized communities, so they can contribute to shaping inclusive and impactful agrifood policies.

An opportunity for you

The WFF Youth Representatives Programme provides young people with an opportunity to:

• Engage in global deliberations as panelists or discussants, sharing perspectives and insights to ensure youth voices from all backgrounds and local contexts are meaningfully represented in regional and thematic Youth Assembly sessions, consultations and workshops virtually throughout the year and in person at the WFF flagship event from 10 to 17 October 2025;
• Contribute to drafting youth-oriented policies and statements by reviewing language, providing technical expertise and sharing regional and local youth perspectives;
• Foster youth consensus within local communities to identify specific agrifood systems challenges and propose actionable, innovative and inclusive solutions and priorities at the community, local and national levels; and
• Engage with WFF National Youth Chapters, where established, to support local action to transform agrifood systems.

Who can be a Youth Representative?

To be considered for the programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 35 years old for the entire duration of their tenure and can include:
  o    members of a youth organization and/or network related to food, agriculture, development, environment and any other relevant field;
  o    stakeholder group members; (i.e. young farmers, fisherfolks, Indigenous youth, etc.);
  o    young members of a ministry, cabinet or any other national institution;
  o    students in the various fields of agrifood systems and related fields; and/or
  o    past and current youth delegates to the United Nations and/or international conferences; and
  o    young individuals with a keen interest in food, agriculture, development, environment or any other relevant field.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to adapt to an international and multicultural environment, and possess strong intercultural communication skills.
• Applicants must demonstrate commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in all activities.
• Preference is given to applicants with experience within youth constituencies or organizations.
• Special consideration is given to women and underrepresented stakeholders, including farmers and Indigenous Peoples.
• Current WFF's Young Scientists Group (YSG) or Youth Policy Board (YPB) members are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants are encouraged to reapply at the end of their tenure, under the condition that they continue to meet all the above-mentioned criteria.

Responsibilities of a WFF Youth Representative

WFF Youth Representatives play a key role in ensuring youth voices are meaningfully represented at all levels of agrifood systems discussions. Their engagement is structured around:

1.    Regional Youth Assembly sessions, consultations and workshops
Building consensus amongst local youth, and providing concerted and relevant reflections, feedback and comments at regional consultations and workshops.

2.    Thematic Youth Assembly sessions, consultations and workshops
Building  consensus amongst local youth and providing concerted and relevant technical expertise at thematic sessions, consultations and workshops.

3.    Youth statements and reports
Providing comments, recommended changes, language suggestions and ensuring technical soundness of draft youth statements and reports.

4.    WFF National Youth Chapters
Contributing to WFF National Youth Chapters pertaining to solution building for local contexts.

Engagement Criteria

During their term:

• Applicants need to choose one region that they belong to or have expertise in and attend at least two regional consultations corresponding to this region throughout their tenure. Consultations will be held virtually throughout the year and in hybrid modality at the WFF flagship event. Following the attendance of a consultation, Youth Representatives must submit brief reflection statements to elaborate on their perspectives.
• Applicants need to choose up to two themes that they have expertise in and attend at least two thematic consultations per theme throughout their tenure. Consultations will be held virtually throughout the year and in hybrid modality at the WFF flagship event. Following the attendance of a consultation, Youth Representatives must submit brief reflection statements to elaborate on their perspectives.
• Applicants must contribute to drafting youth statements and reports by providing comments and reflections in line with their technical and regional expertise, within three weeks of receiving the draft.
• Applicants must provide timely feedback on the programme and their personal experience when periodic forms are shared.
• Applicants are encouraged to share updates on the proceedings and engagements through their social media.

Selection Process

Candidates are selected based on a review of their application by the WFF Youth Assembly Secretariat that will evaluate them vis-a-vis eligibility and experience.

The WFF Youth Representatives Programme operates on a cohort-based system, with three calls for applications per year to ensure structured and periodic engagement. Selected candidates serve a one-year term, with opportunities for continued involvement.