The OCP Foundation recently participated in the World Food Forum 2025, held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, to showcase its innovative Global Youth Challenge initiative. This program, launched in partnership with various organizations, aims to empower young people to become active contributors to the design of sustainable agricultural systems worldwide.
The Global Youth Challenge promotes educational cooperation between Morocco and Canada, focusing on key themes such as food security, innovation, climate, and sustainability. The program has already engaged 330 students at the Mohammed VI High School of Excellence in Benguerir, with 50 students benefiting from technical mentoring and a visit to a model farm. A winning project, “Agribiotic,” established a 300 m² educational farm, demonstrating the spirit of youth-driven innovation and entrepreneurship.
At the World Food Forum, a side event titled “Youth Training: From Classroom to Field for Food System Futures” highlighted the tangible results of the first cohort of students participating in the Global Youth Challenge. An international panel of experts and young leaders discussed the central role of youth in transforming sustainable food systems, emphasizing the need to provide them with skills, motivation, and tools to become active changemakers.
The event showcased the concrete impact of the pilot program in Benguerir, where students gained technical and practical skills in sustainable agriculture while cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. The intercontinental partnership between Morocco and Canada was also highlighted, with speakers underlining the richness of pedagogical and cultural exchange around innovative agricultural practices.
The Global Youth Challenge is part of the OCP Foundation’s commitment to youth, science, and innovation as pillars of inclusive and sustainable food systems. By combining scientific learning, hands-on experimentation, and intercultural exchange, the program equips youth to become active contributors to the design of sustainable agricultural systems of tomorrow. The initiative has the potential to drive agricultural innovation and employment, while strengthening youth inclusion in agricultural policies and sustainable development programs. As the global community continues to address the challenges of food security and sustainability, the OCP Foundation’s efforts to empower young people in agriculture are a significant step towards creating a more resilient and sustainable food system for the future.