Youth Action Leadership for Agrifood Awareness & Systems Transformation (YALA FAST)

Food insecurity and malnutrition are persistent challenges in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. It is a daunting challenge as 60% of the population is under the age of 25, 40% of the region’s women are unemployed, and 40% of the population lives in rural areas with high unemployment rates and lower wages. This turns youth, women and rural populations into at-risk groups requiring social protection. The vulnerability of these groups – especially young people - is worsening as the weak agrifood systems face geo-political gridlocks, technological upheavals, continuing conflicts, climate change, and post-pandemic financial pressures.

The United Nations agencies such as FAO and others as well as governments of the region have been working tirelessly to provide funding, technical expertise, and social protection. This mammoth and multipronged challenge, however, cannot be tackled by business-as-usual approaches or siloed actions. It necessitates a concerted, coordinated and coherent effort for systemic transformation. A locally led, entrepreneurial and fit-for-purpose ecosystem is needed to replace the legacy oriented, fractured and fragmented system. The new reality of compounding challenges needs a new breed of leaders. It is imperative to rethink these so-called vulnerable groups not merely as beneficiaries of dole outs but talented, innovative and entrepreneurial assets. They can be nurtured and empowered as local youth leaders to rethink, redesign and redevelop agrifood ecosystem solutions. It is about time to provide them a chance to lead and have better lives and livelihoods for themselves as well as for their families, communities, cities, countries and the entire region.

The proposed leadership programme will start a virtuous process of youth leadership development in the region. It will be an inclusive, innovative and immersive experience that will be focused on actionable leadership solutions for sustainable agrifood systems. This programme will be a trailblazer in empowering young leaders and building fit-for-purpose agrifood ecosystems.  After attending the programme, these leaders will be more aware of the existing systemic challenges. In addition, they will be enabled to recognise and make use of their own talents and potential for change. They will be empowered to initiate a dynamic discourse of ideating, innovating, and investing entrepreneurially in the agri-food systems. They will work collaboratively, develop new skills, and become part of relevant networks to be the harbingers of ecosystem change.  

The Inaugural Event 

Date & Venue: 30 June to 4 July 2025, Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco 

Participants: Around 60 young leaders selected from RNE member countries. One each from government, private sector and academia/civil society. 

Objectives 

• Building a comprehensive understanding of local youth leaders in agrifood systems at global, regional, national, community and individual levels
• Mapping risks, challenges, levers of change and leadership opportunities at different levels
•  Co-designing inclusive approaches for youth leadership action in sustainable agrifood ecosystems, lives and livelihoods
• Integrating technology, innovation, digitalisation and Ai in agri-food ecosystems
• Learning from doing, collaboration and developing leadership action plans  

The programme will be designed in a bottom-up, inclusive and participative manner. It will be developed and delivered in the same way. The four-day in person programme will be an immersive experience for young leaders. The following methods will be used to make it an engaging, interesting and inspiring experience: 

• Case studies of entrepreneurial leadership in agrifood ecosystems
• Role plays to understand diverse perspectives and interests in the ecosystem
• Group discussions on contemporary challenges and solutions to form a common understanding
• Simulations to be aware of the seriousness of the challenges
• Presentation of tech solutions in agrifood systems
• Ideating, prototyping, marketing and financing in agripreneurship
• Field trips to understand the ground reality, challenges and solutions 

The young leaders will be enabled and empowered to lead together in turning their fragmented, fractured and outdated local agrifood systems into vibrant, sustainable and fit-for-purpose agrifood ecosystems.  

We encourage all eligible candidates with a passion for food systems transformation to submit their applications before 30 April 2025.

We encourage all eligible candidates with a passion for food systems transformation to submit their applications before 30 April 2025.

Application link: YALA-FAST Application Form  

All applications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel

Please note: only successful candidates will be contacted

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