Call for Youth side events

Host a youth side event at the Word Food Forum and champion youth for positive agrifood systems transformation.

Deadlines to apply: 24 May

The World Food Forum (WFF) invites Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners of the Forum, to apply to organize in-person youth side events for the fourth annual flagship event to be held from 14 to 18 October at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.

These side events aim to amplify the voices of young people by providing a platform for sharing their visions, innovations and programmes, complementing the youth mainstage events. Side events are expected to enrich the dialogue on agrifood systems transformation and foster an interactive and inclusive environment where young individuals can actively participate, advocate for ideas and ignite action.

The event is an opportunity for young people and youth allies across the globe to connect on the topics of food and agriculture, providing a space to voice their perspectives and contribute their ideas to drive action and impact toward this year's theme “ Good food for all, for today and tomorrow”.

Practical Information

Format

Side events will be held in-person (hybrid) during the WFF flagship event from 14 to 18 October. Each event will ideally have a maximum duration of 60 minutes and is to be independently organized.

Side events can be structured in a variety of ways, for example: panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops or any other creative project that can support young people in creating a space that inspires new ways of thinking and doing, sparking discussions amongst various stakeholders, sharing knowledge, bringing together diverse perspectives, inspiring action or providing an inclusive platform where good practices and ideas can be shared.

Side event conceptualization

• Side events can be organized by any entity and individual. The WFF welcomes organizers to partner in the organization of side events. Multistakeholder sessions are preferred.
• Side event organizers are responsible for developing the concept note, planning and structuring the event, promoting the event, executing the event and covering any expenses.
• All costs related to side events, including travel, visas and logistical arrangements will be the responsibility of the organizers.
• Side events should be closely linked to the work of the WFF Global Youth Action and should connect to topics related to the 2024 theme “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow”.
• Side events must be led by youth or focused on youth engagement and must align with one of the following categories: policy, innovation, education, local action or culture. In addition, they should be gender-balanced, ethnically diverse and inclusive for all, considering that the WFF is a multicultural platform that firmly believes in the importance of diversity and inclusion.
• The WFF encourages events focusing on different regions and organized in different languages. Interpretation may be possible, and details will be communicated to selected events. All associated costs are the responsibility of the event organizers.
• Side events should be founded in the non-discriminatory respect for all-persons.
• Only complete applications will be considered.

Promotion

• Side event organizers are responsible for the promotion of the event on their own channels.
• WFF will provide branding guidelines and materials.
• Approved side event applications will be displayed on the full WFF flagship event agenda.

Logistics

• The WFF will provide the space and the room for the side event to take place. Basic materials such as a table and chairs will be provided. Rooms will include a projector and will be equipped to stream to the WFF virtual platform. All other costs are the responsibility of the organizers.
• Side event organizers are responsible for their travel and visa arrangements.
• Let’s be environmentally friendly. Please share all event materials digitally.

Location

• All side events will be held in-person (hybrid) at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Side events will all be featured on the WFF virtual platform.

Tips for successful applications

• The more dynamic the side event is – that promotes dialogue, skill/tool learning – the higher chances it will have to be selected.
• Side events that bring together multiple partners will also have higher chances to be selected.
• Organizers must provide a clear communication plan for the promotion of their side event.
• The WFF is looking for side events that promote action and forward-looking discussions among youth or in an intergenerational setting towards agrifood systems transformation.
• Side event outcomes should be clear, inspiring and practical to motivate others.
• Side events cannot serve the sole purpose of promoting an organization, but should rather be focused on providing valuable experience, skills, tools and/or dialogue for young people.

Application process

• Use this online form to submit your side event proposal. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• The deadline for in-person side event proposals is 24 May.
• The WFF team will be responsible for reviewing all proposals and selecting the events based on the criteria listed above.
• Organizers will be contacted after the submission and a notification on the acceptance of the proposal will be received by the organizers by Early June.
• Once accepted, side event organizers will be requested to submit a detailed concept note, including confirmed title, event description, detailed agenda and confirmed speakers by Mid June.
• The full schedule of side events will be posted on world-food-forum.org after the acceptance of the proposals, by September.
• All queries and contributions regarding side events should be addressed to [email protected].

Disclaimer

By submitting this application, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The WFF reserves the right to accept or reject any application at its discretion. Incomplete applications or those not meeting the specified criteria may not be considered for selection.
• The submission of this application does not guarantee selection to host a side event at the World Food Forum's flagship event. Only selected applicants will be contacted regarding their application status.
• Selected applicants must adhere to all guidelines and requirements outlined by the WFF for organizing and hosting a side event, including providing a detailed concept note and collaborating with multiple partners.
• The WFF may modify the format or scheduling of the flagship event, including the mode of delivery for side events, based on logistical considerations and space limitations.
• All information provided in this application must be accurate and truthful to the best of your knowledge.
• The WFF and its affiliated partners are not liable for any expenses incurred by applicants in relation to their participation in the application process or the flagship event.
• All side events hosted during the WFF flagship event are expected to take place be in-person. However, due to space limitations, the World Food Forum might not be able to guarantee an in-person format for all selected side events. In such cases, side events might have to be conducted virtually.
• By submitting this application, you consent to the collection and processing of your personal data for the purpose of evaluating and selecting side event hosts, in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations.
• The WFF reserves the right to amend or update these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice.