The World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Policy Board (YPB) is inviting young people aged 18 to 35 to apply for its 2027-2028 cohort, the independent group of 40 young changemakers that governs the WFF Youth Assembly. The role is remote, takes about 25 hours per month, and applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET (Rome time). At Youth Works Hub, we read the official call page, the application form text and the Terms of Reference (ToR) and set out every condition below.
What Is the Youth Policy Board?
The Youth Policy Board is an independent body of young leaders that provides strategic direction to the WFF Youth Assembly. Its members are nominated and selected by their peers, so the board reflects different regions, disciplines and backgrounds.
The WFF is an open and inclusive global platform established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2021 to transform agrifood systems through the power of youth, science and innovation, and investment. The Youth Policy Board was launched in 2021 and is made up of 40 young changemakers aged 18-35. In 2026, the fifth cohort brings together 40 changemakers from around the world.
Together, the board defines policy priorities, advises the WFF Youth Initiative, and makes sure youth perspectives are built into global agrifood systems transformation.
What the Board's Mandate Covers
🧭 Guiding the Youth Assembly and its processes
🗣️ Organizing and leading consultations to capture youth perspectives
📝 Drafting policy papers, recommendations and calls to action
🏛️ Representing youth at international policy forums and conferences
🤝 Engaging stakeholders to advance inclusivity and collaboration
Regional Work
Across all six FAO regions, board members advance the Global Youth Action Plan 2025-2026, focusing on two actionable items in each region through 2026. They hold consultations and design surveys to inform statements, outcome documents and advocacy strategies, working closely with FAO Regional Offices.
For the 2027-2028 term, members carry out these regional responsibilities:
🌐 Lead and facilitate regional consultative youth processes to gather young people's vision for the future of agrifood systems
📅 Prepare the regional consultative youth process towards the 2028 FAO Regional Conferences and, where applicable, engage with regional technical commissions and bodies, in coordination with the Youth Assembly Secretariat and FAO Regional Offices
📨 Convene and liaise ahead of consultation sessions with FAO Regional Offices, members of the WFF Young Scientists Group (YSG) and members of WFF National Youth Chapters
🧩 Synthesize regional youth voices into regional youth recommendations for intergovernmental processes and conferences
🎤 Represent the board in relevant intergovernmental processes and conferences to advocate for structured youth policy inputs, where applicable
📘 Summarize outcomes and progress during the term in an outcome document
To strengthen collaboration, each regional group has a YPB lead.
Thematic Work
Each member contributes expertise in one of ten thematic areas: biodiversity, bioeconomy, climate change, desertification, land degradation and drought, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, livestock, nutrition, water management, and young women's empowerment. Members lead youth consultations, design surveys and collect case studies of youth-led initiatives to find gaps and opportunities for stronger youth participation in agrifood systems governance.
At thematic level, members:
🔬 Lead and facilitate consultative youth processes on agrifood systems themes
📞 Convene and liaise ahead of consultation sessions with FAO technical divisions, Youth Assembly Partner Organizations, YSG members and National Youth Chapter members
📑 Synthesize youth voices into recommendations and outcome documents for intergovernmental processes and conferences
🏅 Represent the board in relevant processes and conferences, where applicable
🗂️ Summarize outcomes and progress in an outcome document
Three Areas of Work
1️⃣ Regional work: leading consultative youth processes in your region, which may include developing youth-led surveys and hosting multistakeholder consultations, using shared cross-regional consultation tools
2️⃣ Thematic work: leading activities in your area of expertise, drafting position papers and outcome documents, and providing structured youth inputs to intergovernmental or FAO member-led policy and governance processes
3️⃣ Youth engagement: supporting wider WFF Youth Initiative activities so that youth voices drive lasting agrifood systems transformation
Looking for similar calls? Browse more programmes and events in the Others category.
Term and Time Commitment
⏱️ Term: members serve a one-year term, with the possibility to reapply for a second year
🕒 Workload: about 25 hours per month, of which 20 hours go to your core area of responsibility (regional or thematic) and 5 hours to the supporting area
📆 Meetings: you must be available for at least one weekly YPB meeting of 1 hour between 09:00 and 18:00 CET/CEST
🧑💻 Format: the role is remote and works through meetings, policy documents and external engagements
Who Can Apply?
You must meet all of these criteria:
🎂 Be between 18 and 35 years old as of 30 April 2027
🛂 Be a national of an FAO Member State
🎓 Have graduated from high school and either completed or be enrolled in a bachelor's degree programme at the time of application
🇬🇧 Demonstrate C1-level proficiency in spoken and written English (fluency in other FAO official languages is an advantage)
🌾 Have demonstrated experience, knowledge or strong engagement in agrifood systems, policy advocacy and youth empowerment
🌏 Show the ability to work effectively in an international, multicultural environment, with strong intercultural communication skills
Who Cannot Apply?
⛔ FAO employees
👪 Immediate family members of FAO employees: spouses, parents, children, siblings or their respective spouses
🔬 Current or former members of the WFF Young Scientists Group (YSG)
🚫 Current or former members of the YPB, per the ToR; the application form page also lists applicants for a third YPB term
Who Gets Preference?
⭐ Applicants with experience within youth constituencies or organizations
🤲 Applicants with experience in supporting consultative youth processes
🧑🌾 Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, including farmers, Indigenous Peoples and women
📚 Applicants with an understanding of international governance frameworks related to agrifood systems
Key Attributes Reviewers Look For
🔥 Demonstrated passion for transforming agrifood systems and engaging youth in policy processes
🧠 Leadership and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams
⚖️ Knowledge of policy development, advocacy and global governance structures
💬 Excellent communication skills combined with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset
The Four-Round Selection Process
1️⃣ Round 1: the WFF Youth Assembly Secretariat reviews applications and scores candidates on eligibility and experience
2️⃣ Round 2: a committee of youth organization representatives and, when feasible, National Youth Chapter policy focal points assesses applications and creates a shortlist; shortlisted candidates submit a CV, a letter of recommendation and a two-minute video explaining how they would contribute to the board and the Youth Assembly
3️⃣ Round 3: the outgoing YPB cohort evaluates shortlisted candidates on knowledge of agrifood systems, leadership skills and policy expertise
4️⃣ Round 4: top candidates are invited to interviews, and final selections rest on interview performance and overall ranking
The final selection is announced by April 2027.
A Rule About AI Tools
The use of AI tools should be limited to language and grammar support. Applications with responses substantially generated by AI, rather than reflecting your own experience, ideas and voice, will not be considered. Our guide on using AI to write your motivation letter explains how to keep your own voice.
Optional Engagements
Outside their board commitments, members are encouraged to:
🏘️ Join, support and engage with WFF National Youth Chapters to turn global policies into local action
🏆 Take part in WFF Youth Initiative activities such as the Transformative Research Challenge, Youth Food Lab, Startup Innovation Awards and the Agrifood Leadership Education Programme
Not an Erasmus+ or ESC Programme
This is a World Food Forum programme run with the FAO Youth Assembly. It is not part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). The call page and application form mention no application or participation fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline for the Youth Policy Board call?
Applications must be submitted by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET (Rome time). The final selection is announced by April 2027.
How old do I have to be to apply?
You must be between 18 and 35 years old as of 30 April 2027.
Which nationalities can apply?
The ToR requires applicants to be nationals of an FAO Member State. No separate country list is published on the call page.
How much time does the role take?
About 25 hours per month: 20 hours on your core regional or thematic area and 5 hours on the supporting area, plus at least one weekly one-hour meeting between 09:00 and 18:00 CET/CEST.
What English level is required?
C1 level in spoken and written English. Fluency in other FAO official languages is an advantage.
What do shortlisted candidates have to submit?
Candidates who reach Round 2 are asked to submit a CV, a letter of recommendation and a two-minute video on how they would contribute to the board and the Youth Assembly.
Where can I ask questions?
Write to the Youth Assembly team at youth-assembly@fao.org. More calls like this are listed on Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
📝 Official call page and application form: https://youth.world-food-forum.org/youth-assembly/youth-policy-board/
📄 Terms of Reference (PDF): https://youth.world-food-forum.org/docs/devworldfoodforumlibraries/track-youth-assembly/ypb-tors-2027-2028.pdf
📧 Questions: youth-assembly@fao.org
