Deadline: 31St July 2026
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.
Purpose of the contest
The contest aims to spotlight authentic and inspiring learning journeys that lead to impact, by amplifying young learners’ voices in the global agrifood dialogue.
- Highlight stories of impact – Bring forward stories that show how learning with the FAO elearning Academy leads to tangible change in people’s lives and communities.
- From learning to action – Share how you apply what you’ve learned in real-life contexts, from personal growth to community or system-level change.
- Learn from each other – Inspire peers by sharing experiences and lessons with young people from around the world.
- Go global – Increase the visibility of youth voices and expand awareness of FAO elearning Academy opportunities.
- Be an agent of change – Show how young learners are helping drive more sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems.
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.
Eligibility
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.
Selection criteria
Your application will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- 1Availability to participate in the global award process, including travel requirements.
- 2Number of certified digital badges obtained.
- 3Quality and clarity of your impact story, including clear evidence of how learning was applied.
- 4Verified completion of FAO elearning Academy courses.
- 5Your 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.
Before submitting your application
- Create an account on the FAO elearning Academy platform.
- 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.
For more information and application.