World Food Forum Youth Policy Board 2027–2028: Global Youth Leadership & Policy Opportunity with FAO
The World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Policy Board 2027–2028 is inviting applications from young leaders who want to contribute to global discussions on agrifood systems, youth empowerment and policy advocacy.
- FundingNone
- Duration1 year, with possibility of reapplying for a second term
- Who can applyNationals of FAO Member States
- Application feeFree
Overview
The Youth Policy Board is an independent group of young leaders that provides strategic direction to the WFF Youth Assembly. Selected members help bring youth perspectives into global agrifood policy discussions, lead consultations, develop policy recommendations and represent youth perspectives in relevant international forums.
Apply by: 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/Rome time
The World Food Forum Youth Policy Board is a youth-led body within the WFF Youth Assembly. It brings together young leaders from different regions and backgrounds to help shape youth policy priorities related to the transformation of global agrifood systems.
The Board works on both regional and thematic priorities and connects youth perspectives with international policy processes. The current Board structure brings together 40 young changemakers.
For the 2027–2028 term, members will contribute to regional consultations, engage with stakeholders, synthesize youth perspectives and help prepare recommendations for relevant international processes and conferences.
Women are specifically included among the groups that receive consideration under the Board’s preference criteria.
The selection information gives preference to applicants with backgrounds in underrepresented groups, including women, as well as candidates with youth-organisation experience and an understanding of international agrifood governance.
However, being a woman alone does not replace the core eligibility requirements.
Applicants should pay particular attention to the application’s instructions regarding AI.
The current application information indicates that AI tools should be limited to language and grammar support. Applications containing responses substantially generated by AI rather than reflecting the applicant’s own experiences and ideas may not be considered.
Applicants should therefore write their responses in their own voice and use AI, where permitted, only for limited language assistance.
At a glance
About
- Opportunity type
- Youth Leadership / Policy Board
- Location
- Global / International
- Duration
- 1 year, with possibility of reapplying for a second term
- Mode
- Primarily international/online engagement with external policy activities
- Organiser
- World Food Forum, associated with FAO
- Time commitment
- Approximately 25 hours per month
Funding
- Application fee
- Free
- Stipend / salary
- None
- Travel funding
- None
Eligibility
- Age limit
- 18–35 years as of 30 April 2027
- Minimum degree required
- High school completed; must be enrolled in or have completed a bachelor’s degree
- Work experience
- Experience, knowledge or strong engagement in agrifood systems, policy advocacy or youth empowerment
- Nationality
- Nationals of FAO Member States
Who can apply
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 to 35 years old as of 30 April 2027
- Have graduated from high school
- Have completed or currently be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree programme
- Be a national of an FAO Member State
- Demonstrate C1-level proficiency in spoken and written English
- Be available to participate in at least one weekly Youth Policy Board meeting
- Have demonstrated experience, knowledge or strong engagement in agrifood systems, policy advocacy and youth empowerment
- Be able to dedicate approximately 25 hours per month to the role
- Be able to work effectively in an international and multicultural environment
Applicants who are FAO employees or immediate family members of FAO employees are not eligible. Current or former members of the WFF Young Scientists Group are also excluded under the stated eligibility conditions.
Applicants should be prepared to provide information demonstrating:
- Educational background
- Leadership and youth engagement experience
- Knowledge or interest in agrifood systems
- Policy advocacy experience or interest
- Youth empowerment activities
- International or multicultural experience
- Motivation for joining the Youth Policy Board
- How they would contribute to the WFF Youth Assembly
Shortlisted candidates may additionally be required to provide a CV, recommendation letter and a short video.
Fields & areas
The Youth Policy Board’s work is connected to the transformation of agrifood systems and includes thematic areas such as:
- Biodiversity
- Bioeconomy
- Climate change
- Desertification, land degradation and drought
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Forestry
- Livestock
- Nutrition
- Water management
- Young women’s empowerment
Applicants should be able to demonstrate a genuine connection to agrifood systems, policy advocacy and/or youth empowerment.
How to apply
The selection process consists of multiple stages.
Round 1
The WFF Youth Assembly Secretariat reviews applications based on eligibility and relevant experience.
Round 2
A selection committee further assesses applications and creates a shortlist.
Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide:
- CV
- Letter of recommendation
- Two-minute video explaining how they would contribute to the Youth Policy Board and Youth Assembly
Round 3
The outgoing Youth Policy Board cohort evaluates shortlisted candidates, including their knowledge of agrifood systems, leadership abilities and policy expertise.
Round 4
Top candidates are invited for interviews before the final selection is made.
- Review the official World Food Forum Youth Policy Board 2027–2028 Terms of Reference.
- Check that you meet the age, education, nationality, language and experience requirements.
- Prepare your application based on your genuine experience and interests.
- Complete the official online application form.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/Rome time.
What Will Selected Members Do?
Youth Policy Board members may be involved in:
- Leading and facilitating regional youth consultations
- Gathering young people’s perspectives on agrifood systems
- Preparing youth consultations connected to FAO Regional Conferences
- Working with FAO Regional Offices and WFF youth networks
- Developing regional youth recommendations
- Contributing to policy documents and calls to action
- Representing youth perspectives at relevant international policy forums
- Engaging with youth organisations and other stakeholders
- Supporting the wider activities of the WFF Youth Assembly
The role is therefore much more than simply attending a programme. Members actively contribute to youth policy development and international advocacy.
Is Work Experience Required?
There is no specific number of years of professional work experience stated as a requirement.
Instead, applicants need to demonstrate experience, knowledge or strong engagement in agrifood systems, policy advocacy and/or youth empowerment.
Experience with youth organisations, youth consultations and policy engagement can strengthen an application.
How Much Time Does It Require?
This is a significant commitment.
Selected members are expected to dedicate approximately 25 hours per month to Youth Policy Board activities.
This includes meetings, policy work, consultations, external engagement and other responsibilities connected with the Board. Members are also expected to participate in weekly meetings of approximately one hour.
Applicants should therefore make sure they can realistically commit this amount of time before applying.
Is the World Food Forum Youth Policy Board Fully Funded?
No. It should not be described as a fully funded opportunity.
The current 2027–2028 application information does not state a salary, stipend, honorarium, travel allowance, accommodation support or other financial award for selected members.
The primary benefits are instead:
- International youth leadership experience
- Participation in global policy discussions
- Exposure to agrifood governance
- Opportunities to contribute to policy recommendations
- International networking and collaboration
- Representation of youth perspectives in relevant policy spaces
Important Funding Note
Do not assume that participation in an FAO/WFF activity means that travel, accommodation or other expenses will automatically be covered.
The current call does not guarantee such financial support.
Is There an Application Fee?
No application fee is stated in the current call.
There is also no programme participation fee stated.
For Potenue purposes:
Application Fee: No application fee stated
Programme Fee: No participation fee stated
Stipend: Not stated
Travel Support: Not stated
Accommodation: Not stated
Final Note
The World Food Forum Youth Policy Board 2027–2028 is best suited to young people who want to move beyond traditional leadership programmes and actively contribute to global youth policy, agrifood systems and international advocacy.
It is particularly relevant for applicants with experience in youth empowerment, policy engagement, sustainability, food systems or related areas who are willing to make a meaningful monthly commitment.
This is not a paid or fully funded programme. Its value comes primarily from the opportunity to contribute to international policy processes, collaborate with young leaders globally and help bring youth perspectives into discussions around the future of agrifood systems.
Frequently asked questions
Is the World Food Forum Youth Policy Board a scholarship?
No. It is a youth leadership and policy role, not a scholarship.
Does it provide a stipend?
No stipend or salary is stated in the current 2027–2028 application information.
Is it fully funded?
No. There is currently no stated funding package covering travel, accommodation or other expenses.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is stated.
How old do I need to be?
You must be between 18 and 35 years old as of 30 April 2027.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree?
You must have graduated from high school and either have completed or be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree programme at the time of application.
Do I need professional work experience?
There is no fixed number of years of work experience. However, applicants must demonstrate experience, knowledge or strong engagement in agrifood systems, policy advocacy and/or youth empowerment.
How much time does the role require?
Approximately 25 hours per month, including weekly meetings.
How long is the Youth Policy Board term?
Members serve a one-year term, with the possibility of reapplying for a second term.
When is the deadline?
30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/Rome time.
When will the final selection be announced?
The current application information indicates that final selections are expected by April 2027.
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