The Global Youth Contest invites you to share how learning with the FAO elearning Academy has shaped your journey and enabled you to turn knowledge into action, whether by acquiring new skills, advancing your studies, career, or creating positive change in your community.

Take part by submitting a short-written story on how the FAO elearning Academy has transformed your journey and how you have applied your learning in practice. Support your story with verified course completion and certified digital badges obtained from the FAO elearning Academy.

To celebrate and amplify young voices, three selected winners will receive a fully funded trip to Rome to attend the World Food Forum (12–15 October 2026), and will be invited to share their stories in a video interview featured on the FAO elearning Academy homepage and across its social media channels.

More than a contest, this is your opportunity to raise your voice, inspire other young learners from around the world, and join a global movement striving towards better agrifood systems for all!

FAO elearning Academy Global Youth Contest Benefits

To celebrate and amplify learning journeys that lead to impact, three winners demonstrating the strongest learning-driven impact will be selected.

Fully Funded Trip to Rome: All three winners will receive a fully funded trip to Rome to attend the World Food Forum (WFF) from 12 to 15 October 2026, with all travel and participation costs covered.

Video Interview and Global Visibility: The selected winners will be invited to share their stories in a video interview featured on the FAO elearning Academy website, the YouTube FAO Education Hub, and across social media channels.

Requirements for FAO elearning Academy Global Youth Contest

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

Be aged 18–35 years.

Be from any country or region, including underrepresented or vulnerable groups.

Be a registered learner of the FAO elearning Academy.

Demonstrate how learning has contributed to your knowledge and skills, or academic or professional development.

Have completed FAO elearning Academy courses and obtained certified digital badges.

Note: The selected winners must hold a passport valid until at least April 2027.

Selection Process

Your application will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Availability to participate in the global award process, including travel requirements.

Number of certified digital badges obtained.

Quality and clarity of your impact story, including clear evidence of how learning was applied.

Verified completion of FAO elearning Academy courses.

Your application as young learner belonging to underrepresented, vulnerable or marginalized group will be positively considered, in line with FAO’s commitment to inclusive participation and leaving no one behind.

Application Deadline

July 31, 2026

How to Apply

Step-by-step guide

Before submitting your application

Create an account: Create new FAO Academy account

Explore available learning areas and complete courses of interest.

Earn certified digital badges.

Start preparing your short impact story (maximum 4 000 characters), reflecting how learning has shaped your knowledge, skills, and professional or academic path.

How to fill in the application form

Complete the Online Application Form.

Use the same email address as your FAO elearning Academy account (required for badge verification).

Provide a complete and accurate list of your earned badges.

Include your impact story (maximum 4 000 characters).

Submit your application by 31 July.

After submitting your application

Applications will be reviewed by the FAO elearning Academy Evaluation Committee.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Finalists will be selected and informed individually.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

Not yet enrolled? Create new FAO Academy account

Important: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate responses is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate exclusion from the contest.