Over the past year—and looking ahead—the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) has continued to place youth at the heart of global agricultural policymaking. From the UN Decade of Family Farming to the World Food Forum, the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, and even the World Economic Forum, young farmers in the WFO network—particularly the Gymnasium 2024–2025 cohort and Alumni—have been actively contributing their expertise and perspectives.

Their presence is not just visible—it is impactful. Several Alumni from the previous Gymnasium cohort have recently been selected as mentors in the joint mentorship programme of PAFO and FAO, supporting young African farmers across the continent.

This progress builds on a process that began in mid-2022, following a mandate from then newly elected WFO President, Arnold Puech d’Alissac, to explore how the Organisation can better support and empower its young farmers. Consultations with member organisations revealed a clear path forward: youth inclusion should be embedded within WFO, not separated from it.

In 2023, the WFO General Assembly formally endorsed this direction. In 2024, it gave the International Secretariat the mandate to move from vision to implementation.

With the launch of WFO Young in June 2025, the Organisation introduces a clear, structured mechanism to ensure continuity, visibility, and political strength for youth engagement within its institutional framework.

“One of the highlights of this year’s General Assembly was the presentation of the WFO Young mechanism—a significant step forward in giving young farmers a stronger voice within our Organisation. However, as we all know, a mechanism without active participants is just an empty space. We are confident that with the support of all our members, encouraging youth participation and ensuring that the next generation is engaged and proactive, this new framework can become a powerful tool to involve further and empower our young members,” said WFO President Arnold Puech d’Alissac.

©WFO

WFO Young: Structure and Purpose

WFO Young is not a separate entity, but a formal mechanism embedded within the existing institutional framework of the Organisation. It is designed to bring clarity, structure and continuity to WFO’s youth engagement, building on what already exists and making it more visible and effective.

At the heart of this mechanism is the Youth Committee, the only youth-related body currently foreseen in the WFO Statutes. It plays a central role in leading policy development on issues affecting young people in agriculture. Members of the Committee are nominated by WFO member organisations and may include officers responsible for youth affairs.

To complement and support this body, WFO Young introduces a newly formalised Youth Advisory Council. This component addresses two priorities: first, ensuring the continued engagement of Gymnasium Alumni and other young farmers under 40 who have participated in WFO’s training programmes, and second, strengthening the Youth Committee by providing a channel for grassroots insights and lived experiences. While not a decision-making body, the Council will play a key role in informing the policy development process with relevant, farmer-led perspectives.

WFO Young also incorporates the Extended Youth Network, a broad group of youth-led and youth-focused organisations with whom the WFO Secretariat has built strong relationships over the past three years. Although this network does not participate directly in policy formulation, it significantly expands WFO’s outreach on the ground. It may contribute to future membership development, particularly in regions where engagement with young farmers is rapidly evolving.

Through these three interconnected components, WFO Young provides a comprehensive and coherent framework to ensure that young farmers are not only heard but are also meaningfully included in shaping the future of agriculture within WFO.

A Stronger Foundation for Youth Representation in Agriculture

WFO Young reflects the Organisation’s commitment to embedding youth engagement as a political, structured, and continuous process. This launch is not about introducing a new brand—it is about reinforcing WFO’s institutional capacity to involve young farmers meaningfully across all areas of its work.

By formalising WFO Young, WFO takes a decisive step towards ensuring that young farmers are not just included—they are empowered now and for generations to come.

With WFO Young, the Organisation reaffirms its belief that meaningful youth inclusion is not just a priority—it is a pillar of global agricultural sustainability.

Cover photo: ©WFO