The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its FAO elearning Academy and in collaboration with the World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action initiative, has officially launched the Global Youth Contest 2026, inviting young learners and professionals worldwide to share inspiring stories about how FAO learning opportunities have transformed their lives and careers. The international competition offers participants the chance to showcase how knowledge acquired through the FAO elearning Academy has been applied to create meaningful impact in their studies, professional development, and communities. Three outstanding winners will receive a fully funded trip to Rome, Italy, to attend the World Food Forum 2026, scheduled for October 12–15, 2026. Applications are open until July 31, 2026, at 23:59 CEST. Global Competition Celebrates Learning and Impact The Global Youth Contest, themed “From Learning to Impact,” seeks to highlight real-life stories of transformation driven by education and skills development. FAO is encouraging young learners to demonstrate how participation in courses offered through the FAO elearning Academy has enabled them to acquire valuable knowledge, strengthen professional competencies, and contribute to sustainable development within their communities. Participants are required to submit a short written story explaining their learning journey and provide evidence of completed FAO courses and certified digital badges earned through the platform. The initiative aims to amplify youth voices and inspire other young people to leverage learning opportunities for positive change. Contest Objectives Focus on Youth Empowerment According to FAO, the competition has been designed to spotlight authentic learning experiences that translate into measurable impact. Key objectives include: Highlighting stories of personal and community transformation. Demonstrating how education can drive action and innovation. Encouraging peer-to-peer learning among young people globally. Promoting sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. Increasing awareness of FAO elearning Academy opportunities. Elevating youth participation in global agrifood discussions. Through the contest, FAO hopes to showcase the role young people play in addressing food security, sustainability, climate resilience, and agricultural development challenges around the world. Who Can Apply? The competition is open to young people from all countries and regions, including individuals from underrepresented, vulnerable, and marginalized communities. To qualify, applicants must: Be between 18 and 35 years old. Be registered learners of the FAO elearning Academy. Have completed FAO Academy courses. Possess certified digital badges earned through the platform. Demonstrate how learning contributed to academic, professional, or personal development. Hold a passport valid until at least April 2027 if selected as a winner. FAO has emphasized its commitment to inclusivity and encourages broad participation from diverse backgrounds. Three Winners to Receive Fully Funded Trip to Italy One of the most attractive features of the competition is the opportunity for three successful applicants to attend one of the world’s leading youth-focused development events. Prize benefits include: Fully funded return travel to Rome, Italy. Accommodation during the World Food Forum. Participation in World Food Forum activities. Access to global networking opportunities. International recognition from FAO. The World Food Forum has become a major platform for youth engagement, innovation, and collaboration on global food systems and sustainable development. Winners to Gain International Exposure In addition to attending the World Food Forum, selected winners will receive significant visibility through FAO’s global communication platforms. The three winners will: Participate in a professional video interview. Have their stories featured on the FAO elearning Academy website. Appear on the FAO Education Hub YouTube platform. Be highlighted across FAO social media channels. This exposure provides young professionals with an opportunity to share their experiences with a global audience and inspire future learners. Evaluation Criteria for Applications Applications will be reviewed by the FAO elearning Academy Evaluation Committee using several criteria designed to assess both learning achievements and demonstrated impact. Selection factors include: Number of certified digital badges earned. Completion of FAO elearning Academy courses. Quality and originality of the impact story. Evidence of practical application of acquired knowledge. Availability to participate in the award process and travel requirements. Representation from vulnerable or underrepresented groups. FAO noted that applicants from marginalized communities may receive positive consideration as part of the organization’s commitment to leaving no one behind. Strict Rules on Artificial Intelligence Use The organization has introduced strict measures to ensure the authenticity of submissions. FAO explicitly states that: The use of Artificial Intelligence tools to generate application responses is prohibited. Any AI-generated submission will result in immediate disqualification. Supporting evidence and verification processes may be conducted. Applicants may be invited to interviews to validate submitted information. The organization reserves the right to request additional documentation to confirm the originality of applications and digital badge records. How Interested Participants Can Apply Young learners interested in participating are encouraged to complete several steps before submitting their applications. Application requirements include: Creating an FAO elearning Academy account. Completing relevant online courses. Earning certified digital badges. Preparing a written impact story of no more than 4,000 characters. Submitting the online application form using the same email linked to their Academy account. Providing a complete list of earned badges. Applicants are encouraged to complete as many relevant courses as possible before applying to strengthen their submissions. Supporting Sustainable Agrifood Systems Through Youth Leadership The FAO Global Youth Contest 2026 reflects the growing recognition of young people as critical drivers of sustainable development and innovation within agrifood systems. By highlighting stories of learning-driven impact, FAO aims to inspire a new generation of leaders capable of addressing global food security, environmental sustainability, and rural development challenges. With a fully funded trip to Rome, international recognition, and a platform to share impactful stories, the competition offers a unique opportunity for young learners to showcase how education can be transformed into meaningful action. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, 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.