FAO Global Youth Contest 2026: Win a Fully Funded Trip to Rome for the World Food Forum
Are you a young learner who has used the FAO elearning Academy to develop your skills, advance your education, or make a positive impact in your community? The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched the Global Youth Contest 2026: From Learning to Impact, offering young people worldwide the chance to showcase their learning journey and win a fully funded trip to Rome, Italy.
Three outstanding participants will be selected to attend the World Food Forum (WFF) 2026, taking place from 12–15 October 2026, where they will join global leaders, innovators, and changemakers working toward sustainable agrifood systems.
Applications are open until 31 July 2026 (23:59 CEST).
About the Global Youth Contest
The FAO Global Youth Contest celebrates young people who have transformed online learning into meaningful action. Participants are invited to submit a short written story explaining how courses completed through the FAO elearning Academy have strengthened their knowledge, supported their academic or professional journey, and inspired real-world impact.
Whether your learning has helped improve your career prospects, supported a community initiative, strengthened your agricultural knowledge, or influenced your professional development, this contest offers an opportunity to share your experience on a global stage.
Applicants must support their stories by providing evidence of completed FAO elearning Academy courses and certified digital badges earned through the platform.
Contest Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
| Programme | FAO elearning Academy Global Youth Contest 2026 |
| Theme | From Learning to Impact |
| Prize | Fully Funded Trip to Rome, Italy |
| Winners | Three |
| Eligible Age | 18–35 Years |
| Event | World Food Forum 2026 |
| Forum Dates | 12–15 October 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 31 July 2026 |
Contest Objectives
The Global Youth Contest seeks to amplify the voices of young learners who are contributing to more sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems.
Participants are encouraged to demonstrate how learning has translated into tangible action by:
- Applying new knowledge in academic or professional settings.
- Creating positive change within their communities.
- Inspiring other young people through their experiences.
- Promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems.
- Contributing to global conversations on food security and rural development.
The initiative also aims to increase awareness of the learning opportunities available through the FAO elearning Academy.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 35 years of age.
- Be from any country or region worldwide.
- Be registered learners on the FAO elearning Academy platform.
- Have completed FAO elearning Academy courses.
- Have earned certified digital badges.
- Demonstrate how their learning has contributed to their academic, professional, or personal development.
Successful winners must also hold a passport valid until at least April 2027 to facilitate international travel.
What Can You Win?
Three winners will receive:
- A fully funded trip to Rome, Italy.
- Participation in the World Food Forum 2026 from 12–15 October.
- Coverage of travel and participation costs.
- An opportunity to share their learning journey through a professionally produced video interview.
- Global visibility across the FAO elearning Academy website, the FAO Education Hub on YouTube, and FAO’s social media platforms.
How Applications Will Be Evaluated
Applications will be assessed using several criteria, including:
- Completion of FAO elearning Academy courses.
- Number of certified digital badges earned.
- Quality, originality, and clarity of the impact story.
- Evidence demonstrating how learning has been applied in practice.
- Availability to participate in the award activities and travel requirements.
FAO also encourages applications from young people belonging to underrepresented, marginalized, or vulnerable groups as part of its commitment to inclusive participation.
Important Application Guidelines
Before submitting your application, you should:
- Create an account on the FAO elearning Academy if you are not already registered.
- Complete relevant online courses.
- Earn certified digital badges.
- Prepare an original impact story of no more than 4,000 characters.
- Use the same email address associated with your FAO elearning Academy account when completing the application.
Only one application per participant is permitted.
Important Rules
Applicants should note that:
- The contest is conducted entirely in English.
- Stories must be written in English.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools must not be used to generate application responses.
- Any application found to contain AI-generated content will be immediately disqualified.
- Participants must submit original work and may be asked to provide additional verification if required.
Why You Should Apply
The FAO Global Youth Contest offers far more than an international travel opportunity. It provides young learners with a platform to showcase how education can create real-world impact, inspire peers across the globe, and contribute to building more sustainable food systems.
Attending the World Food Forum also offers valuable networking opportunities with policymakers, researchers, youth leaders, entrepreneurs, and development professionals committed to transforming global agrifood systems.
Whether your learning journey has influenced your studies, career, farming practices, or community work, this contest is an opportunity to have your story recognized by one of the world’s leading international organizations.
Final Thoughts
The FAO Global Youth Contest 2026 is an exciting opportunity for young learners to demonstrate how knowledge can be transformed into meaningful action. By sharing authentic stories of growth, innovation, and community impact, participants can inspire others while gaining international recognition.
If you have completed courses through the FAO elearning Academy and are passionate about creating positive change, don’t miss this opportunity to compete for a fully funded experience at the World Food Forum 2026 in Rome.
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
