Photo: Kebun Hanif Regenerative Culture, Indonesia
Youth organizations are among the members of the Agroecology Coalition. We are delighted to have them with us and to have the opportunity to listen to their voices and innovative ideas. These youth organizations are based all over the world—some have a global or regional focus, while the majority are based in African countries. We have also recently welcomed our first youth group members from Yemen and Pakistan!
Discover more about our youth-led organisations and organisations with youth-oriented initiatives!
Global:
YPARD actively promotes agroecology by equipping young professionals to lead sustainable food system transformations at both grassroots and policy levels. A key example is YPARD’s involvement in the Global Program for Smallholder Agroecological Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (GP-SAEP), which supports agroecological transitions for smallholder farmers across Africa and Latin America through 20 “Agroecology Fellows” who act as bridge between farmers and extension services.
The Fellows organize YPARD Cafes — dynamic youth-led knowledge exchange events that bring together farmers, agronomists, policymakers, and local enterprises. Such events focus on different topics such as strengthening farmer capacities in ecological techniques like biological pest control, vermicompost production, and agroforestry while demonstrating successful, locally adapted agroecological innovations. These efforts not only highlight the transformative potential of agroecology but also underscore the impact of young professionals in shaping sustainable food systems.
- RAISE Consortium (India, Nepal, Kenya, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and South Africa)
The RAISE consortium was launched in January 2022 to support the agroecological transition and implement the rights of peasants. RAISE’s partners focus on agroecology, right to food, right to seed, right to land, and effective participation of peasants, especially women, youth and children.
In South Asia, children and youth from rural communities actively participate in agroecological transformation. It focuses on raising awareness and strengthening the capacities of children and youth in forging a relationship between agroecology and the realisation of peasants’ aspirations throughout the entire food system. Discover more in our case study page!
Africa:
- Chitipa Youth Agroecology Initiative (Malawi)
The organization aims to engage youth in agroecological practices to enhance food security and environmental sustainability. The initiative promotes sustainable farming techniques, organic agriculture, and environmental conservation among youth in Chitipa District in Malawi.
The group advocates for inclusive and sustainable development policies, focusing on youth participation.
Gayo is dedicated to empowering 850,000 youths by positioning young people and women at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation and community development.
On August 8, 2024, GAYO launched a new project titled “Agroecology for Climate Resilience at Household Level.” The project focuses on two key objectives:
- Spreading and deepening agroecological practices among 300 women and 100 youths in the Kanakantapa area of Chongwe district (Zambia).
- Demonstrating the benefits of agroecological transitioning to smallholder farmers.
The training focuses on equipping women and youths with essential skills in agroecology. After completing the training, participants will establish agroecology gardens at the Green Innovation Hub in Kanakantapa.
AJDC-RDC prevents child recruitment into armed groups and supports the reintegration of ex-combatant youth through education, vocational training, and economic support. Sustainable agricultural practices are part of their reintegration programs. They are active in Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the South Kivu region.
YILAA is a network of 25 countries with offices in Benin, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya and Canada. YILAA aims to promote the rights of young people and women and value their potential for land governance. They support training and research for young people in the land sector. The right to land is linked to agroecological principles. The network defends modern and customary land rights of young people and make reliable and transparent information available to organizations for decision-making through studies, data collection and research relating to young people’s access to land.
They also organize the CIGoFA (International youth and land conference in Africa), the most recent one took place in October 2024 in Arusha (Tanzania)
YILNAC Network aims to develop tools and opportunities created with, by and for Indigenous youth and communities, with the goal of raising Indigenous youth voices, sovereignty and stewardship of land and water for future generations.
They mobilize, inspire and strengthen the capacities of young indigenous leaders and their organizations in the research, identification, development and dissemination of tangible indigenous nature-based solutions to the ecological and climate crises that affect many indigenous peoples and local communities in Africa. Their agroecology activities are linked to reforestation and forest protection, biodiversity protection, climate and ecological literacy.
They are active in Democratic Republic of Congo
Young Volunteers for Environment Zimbabwe provides youth-led action for sustainable development and provision of an advocacy platform for meaningful environmental action in Zimbabwe. They aim to develop youth leadership skills by providing mentorship, training, and opportunities for youth empowerment and engagement in decision-making processes.
The organization strives to have an economically empowered and enlightened community that works together to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable, healthy lifestyles for vulnerable children, youth and women. It has trained 520 youth on sustainable employment.
The association aims to offer education and training opportunities to children living in the street in Togo. Among the education and activities offered, many of them have the focus on biodiversity conservation, eco-volunteering and climate awareness.
Middle East:
They are the first rural youth cooperative for agricultural development in Yemen. Their goal is to empower rural youth by providing training and development programs that enhance their agricultural skills and contribute to the sustainable development of rural communities. Free training courses include organic farming, water resources management, and crop productivity improvement.
Asia:
- Youth for Agricultural Development (YAD) (Pakistan)
YAD Pakistan is a youth-led civil society initiative based in Quetta, with a core of volunteers coming from different districts of Baluchistan. Using art to raise awareness, YAD advocates for a human rights-based, participatory and multi-sectoral development approach to long-term change and sustainable development . It aims to empower youth through education, vocational training, and community development initiatives.
Europe:
Part of Agroecology Europe association, the youth network focuses on advancing agroecological practices and policies among European youth, aiming to create resilient and sustainable food systems.