FAO Global Youth Contest 2026 – Fully Funded Trip to Rome
The FAO Global Youth Contest 2026 invites young learners and professionals to share how FAO elearning Academy courses have supported their studies, careers, skills, or practical work. Three winners will receive a fully funded trip to Rome to attend the World Food Forum 2026. Applications close on 31 July 2026 at 23.59 CEST.
Quick Overview
Programme: Global Youth Contest: From Learning to Impact
Opportunity Type: Global youth contest
Host Organization: FAO elearning Academy
Location: Rome, Italy
World Food Forum Dates: 12–15 October 2026
Number of Winners: Three
Prize: Fully funded trip to Rome
Deadline: 31 July 2026 at 23.59 CEST
About the FAO Global Youth Contest 2026
The contest focuses on how learning through the FAO elearning Academy can lead to practical impact. Participants must explain how the courses helped them gain knowledge, develop skills, advance academically or professionally, or create positive change in their communities.
Applicants must submit a short written impact story supported by verified FAO course completion and certified digital badges. The contest aims to highlight learning journeys that contribute to more sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems.
Contest Objectives
The Global Youth Contest aims to:
• Highlight stories showing how FAO elearning leads to practical change
• Demonstrate how participants apply their learning in real-life situations
• Encourage young people to learn from one another
• Increase the visibility of youth perspectives
• Show how young learners contribute to sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems
Also read: WIC Global Youth Leadership Program 2026
Prize and Financial Coverage
Three applicants demonstrating the strongest learning-driven impact will be selected as winners.
Each winner will receive:
✓ A fully funded trip to Rome
✓ Attendance at the World Food Forum from 12–15 October 2026
✓ Coverage of all travel and participation costs
✓ An invitation to participate in a video interview
✓ Publication of the interview on the FAO elearning Academy website
✓ Visibility through the YouTube FAO Education Hub and FAO social media channels
Selected winners must hold a passport valid until at least April 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all the following requirements:
• Be between 18 and 35 years old, inclusive
• Come from any country or region
• Be a registered learner of the FAO elearning Academy
• Have completed courses through the FAO elearning Academy
• Have obtained certified digital badges
• Demonstrate how learning contributed to their knowledge and skills or academic or professional development
• Be available to participate in the global award process and meet the travel requirements
Applicants from underrepresented, vulnerable, or marginalized groups are also encouraged to participate and will receive positive consideration during the assessment process.
Check: AFS Global STEM Changemakers 2026 Virtual Exchange Program
Required Submission
Applicants must prepare a short impact story explaining how the FAO elearning Academy has shaped their learning journey.
The submission must:
• Be written in English
• Contain no more than 4,000 characters
• Explain how the applicant gained and applied new knowledge or skills
• Describe the impact on the applicant’s studies, career, professional work, or community
• Include an accurate list of certified digital badges
• Use the same email address connected to the applicant’s FAO elearning Academy account
Only one application is permitted per participant. The contest is conducted exclusively in English, and only stories written in English will be assessed.
Selection Criteria
The FAO elearning Academy Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to:
• Availability to participate in the award process and meet travel requirements
• Number of certified digital badges earned
• Quality and clarity of the impact story
• Evidence showing how learning was applied
• Verified completion of FAO elearning Academy courses
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Finalists will then be selected and informed individually. All applicants will receive notification of the application outcome.
The use of artificial intelligence tools to generate application responses is strictly prohibited. Using AI-generated responses will result in immediate exclusion from the contest.
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Application Process
Applicants should complete the following steps:
• Create an account on the FAO elearning Academy platform
• Explore the available learning areas
• Complete relevant FAO elearning courses
• Earn certified digital badges
• Prepare an original impact story of no more than 4,000 characters
• Complete the official online application form
• Use the email address connected to the FAO elearning Academy account
• List all earned digital badges accurately
• Submit the application before the deadline
Applicants are encouraged to complete relevant courses and earn badges before submitting their applications.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31 July 2026 at 23.59 CEST.
The official application link will remain active only until the stated deadline.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
