Youth are a driving force for more sustainable agrifood systems. The future belongs to them. To unleash their unique potential to rejuvenate the agricultural sector, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides specific, targeted support to them to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to innovate, adopt new technologies, and spearhead digital transformation. Youth hold immense potential and are key to achieving better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life leaving no one behind.
In line with the United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019–2028, FAO’s Mark of Recognition of Young Farmers in Europe and Central Asia is a dedicated effort to spotlight the ingenuity, leadership and positive impact of young farmers who are shaping the present and the future of food and agriculture across the diverse Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region. This initiative goes beyond simply acknowledging their work and commitment to food production; it seeks to celebrate their outstanding contributions to the critical pillars of sustainable agriculture, rural economies, community development, innovation, and the overall transformation of agrifood systems to be more resilient, more efficient and more equitable.
Selected young farmers and youth-led farmers’ organizations will receive certificates as an acknowledgement of their valuable contributions. FAO will also provide a platform for them to share their stories and solutions, that can offer insights and inspiration to peers and other actors alike. The selected farmers will also have the exciting opportunity to participate in other relevant high-profile initiatives and events organized by FAO and its partners.
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Recognition categories
- Innovation in agrifood systems: Recognizes excellence in adopting innovative agrifood technologies and practices that enhance productivity while championing social, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and biodiversity and ‘interconnect traditional, local knowledge with innovative ideas to become agent of inclusive rural development’.
- Community building: Recognizes young farmers and youth-led farmer organizations that act as catalysts for positive change in their rural communities through leadership, inter-and intra-generational knowledge sharing, and through contributing to local development.
- Inclusion and empowerment: A special recognition will be given to a candidate from any category who demonstrates a remarkable commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment, or the inclusion of marginalized groups in the agrifood sector.
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Deadline: 15 July 2025
Eligibility criteria
FAO invites submissions from young individuals aged 18 to 35 years old who are residents and nationals of countries in the Europe and Central Asia region, as well as youth-led farmers’ organizations from the same region. The initiative seeks to recognize both young women and young men farmers. Nominations for young women farmers are encouraged.
Nomination and selection process
Nominations should be submitted digitally through this official form, by 15 July 2025. Only complete applications, submitted by the deadline will be considered.
An international panel of experts – FAO and non-FAO with regional and global perspectives – will evaluate the nominations for grouping into recognition categories with the aim to attain an inclusive and balanced representation from across the region, expertise fields, disciplines, and stakeholder groups.
The selected candidates will be informed of their recognition and requested to provide any necessary information within the period from 6 September to 30 September.
Evaluation criteria
The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
- Innovation: Novelty and creativity of the idea, technology, or practice.
- Impact: Evidence of effective problem-solving and demonstrable positive impact.
- Scalability and replication: Potential for wider adoption, transferability, and catalytic effects (such as increased investment, policy changes).
- Leadership: Meaningful engagement with and tangible benefits for the local community (food security, livelihoods, inclusion, equity). Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and a clear vision for a sustainable future.
- Inclusion and empowerment: Exceptional and sustained commitment to advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, or inclusion of marginalized groups within the agrifood sector.
Recognition ceremony
Selected young farmers and youth-led farmers organizations will be announced at the Forty-fourth Session of the European Commission on Agriculture (1–2 October 2025, Budapest), The results will also be highlighted in a session dedicated to the UN Decade of Family Farming at the World Food Forum, an event powered by the global youth, during the World Food Day week in October 2025.