Young people and youth-led organizations working in agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainability can now showcase their projects through a global FAO and World Food Forum initiative and help shape future bioeconomy policies.
Overview
Across the world, young people are developing innovative solutions that improve food systems, create jobs, protect biodiversity, and strengthen local communities. From sustainable farming initiatives to climate-smart businesses and community-led environmental projects, youth are increasingly driving change in the bioeconomy sector.
To recognize and amplify these efforts, the World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is inviting young people and youth-led organizations to submit their bioeconomy projects and initiatives for a global showcase.
This initiative offers young innovators an opportunity to share their work with international stakeholders, contribute to policy discussions, and help shape the future of sustainable agrifood systems.
About the Initiative
The Youth Bioeconomy Project Showcase is a global initiative designed to highlight the role of young people in advancing sustainable and inclusive bioeconomy solutions.
The call seeks to gather evidence-based insights from youth-led projects that are creating positive environmental, social, and economic impacts. The information collected will help inform future recommendations aimed at strengthening youth engagement in the bioeconomy and supporting sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
The initiative also seeks to better understand the challenges young people face when accessing finance, resources, training opportunities, and decision-making spaces.
Ultimately, the findings will contribute to discussions at international forums and support the development of policies that create more opportunities for youth within the bioeconomy sector.
What Will Participants Gain?
Participating in this global initiative offers more than just visibility.
Young innovators and organizations will have the opportunity to:
- Showcase their projects on an international platform
- Highlight their impact to global stakeholders and decision-makers
- Contribute to future bioeconomy policies and recommendations
- Share experiences and lessons learned with a global audience
- Participate in consultations with experts and youth leaders
- Gain recognition for innovative work in agriculture and sustainability
- Help influence discussions on the future of food systems and environmental sustainability
- Connect with a broader network of youth changemakers and organizations
In addition, participants will contribute valuable insights that may help shape future international, regional, and national policy discussions.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to:
- Young people aged 18 to 35
- Youth-led organizations
- Youth-led companies and enterprises
- Youth collectives and networks
- Informal youth initiatives and movements
Applicants can come from any country and region.
What Types of Projects Are Eligible?
Projects and initiatives must:
- Demonstrate impact, innovation, or scalability
- Be led by a young individual or youth-led entity
- Focus on agrifood systems transformation
- Deliver social, environmental, or economic benefits
Eligible focus areas include:
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Fisheries
- Aquaculture
- Biodiversity
- One Health
- Sustainable food systems
- Bioeconomy value chains
- Rural development initiatives
- Climate-smart agriculture
Projects that create jobs, generate income, strengthen local economies, or support sustainable development are particularly encouraged.
Why Is FAO Looking for Youth-Led Projects?
Young people are already playing a major role in transforming agriculture and food systems worldwide. However, many continue to face barriers when trying to access:
- Funding opportunities
- Technical support
- Training and capacity-building programmes
- Markets and business opportunities
- Policy and decision-making spaces
Through this initiative, FAO and the World Food Forum hope to better understand these challenges and identify practical solutions that can strengthen youth participation and leadership in the bioeconomy.
The initiative also places special emphasis on highlighting the contributions of young women who are leading innovative solutions in agriculture and sustainability.
What Happens After Submission?
Once submissions have been reviewed, participants will be invited to join an online consultation process.
During these consultations, young innovators will have the opportunity to:
- Validate preliminary findings
- Discuss emerging priorities
- Identify key challenges facing youth in the bioeconomy
- Help develop youth-led recommendations for policymakers
The resulting recommendations will be presented by youth representatives at major international forums and policy discussions.
These include:
- FAO Technical Committees
- Global Bioeconomy Summits
- United Nations intergovernmental processes
- Other international policy and development forums
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their projects through the official global survey.
Step 1
Review the eligibility requirements.
Step 2
Gather information about your project or initiative.
Step 3
Complete the online survey.
Step 4
Share details about your project’s impact, innovation, scalability, and outcomes.
Step 5
Submit your entry before the deadline.
Required Information
Applicants should be prepared to provide information about:
- Project objectives
- Impact and achievements
- Innovation and scalability
- Job creation and income-generation outcomes
- Key success factors
- Challenges and barriers encountered
- Organizational structure or leadership model
The survey includes both quantitative and qualitative questions.
Language Requirements
Submissions are accepted in all six official United Nations languages:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- English
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit projects and initiatives is:
1 July 2026
Applicants are encouraged to complete their submissions as early as possible.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity | Youth Bioeconomy Project Showcase 2026 |
| Organizers | FAO and World Food Forum Youth Assembly |
| Opportunity Type | Global Project Showcase |
| Eligible Age | 18–35 Years |
| Eligible Applicants | Young Individuals and Youth-Led Organizations |
| Focus Areas | Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Biodiversity, One Health |
| Benefits | Global Visibility, Networking, Policy Engagement |
| Languages Accepted | Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish |
| Deadline | 1 July 2026 |
Conclusion
Young people are already developing the ideas and solutions needed to build more sustainable food systems and stronger rural economies. The FAO and World Food Forum Youth Bioeconomy Project Showcase 2026 provides an opportunity to bring those efforts to the global stage.
Whether you are leading a community initiative, an innovative agribusiness, a biodiversity project, or a sustainability-focused organization, this is your chance to share your impact, connect with international stakeholders, and help shape the future of bioeconomy policy and agrifood systems transformation.
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