The OCP Foundation recently took part in the World Food Forum 2025, held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, to showcase its innovative Global Youth Challenge initiative. Launched in partnership with various organizations, the program 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 food security, innovation, climate and sustainability. To date, it has engaged 330 students at the Mohammed VI High School of Excellence in Benguerir, with 50 students receiving technical mentoring and a visit to a model farm. A winning project, “Agribiotic,” established a 300 m² educational farm, exemplifying 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 Global Youth Challenge participants. 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 acquired technical and practical skills in sustainable agriculture while cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. The intercontinental partnership between Morocco and Canada was also highlighted, with speakers underscoring the richness of pedagogical and cultural exchange around innovative agricultural practices.
The Global Youth Challenge reflects 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 young people to help design the 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 food‑security and sustainability challenges, the OCP Foundation’s efforts to empower young people in agriculture represent a significant step toward a more resilient and sustainable food system for the future.
Comments are closed for this story.