Science–Policy–Society Interface (SPSI) Workshops 

Through a demand-driven approach, Science–Policy–Society Interface (SPSI) workshops provide country-level support creating spaces where young leaders, governments, researchers, and UN partners can work together to address food systems challenges.

To date, SPSI workshops have, inter alia, contributed to starting legislation processes, national roadmaps, youth task forces, stakeholder coordination mechanisms, policy recommendations, and new partnerships between youth leaders and institutions, depending on the country context.

Open to countries that have YLPs as members of the network. Since 2024, the following countries have received this support: Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, The Gambia, and Viet Nam.

These experiences have informed the policy brief, Transforming Food Systems: The Power of Youth in Science-Policy-Society Interfaces, which captures lessons learned and practical recommendations to strengthen more inclusive, evidence-informed, and youth-responsive approaches to food systems transformation.

Formattazione Immagini (17) Formattazione Immagini (17)

Country-level youth leadership work

The country engagement in Cameroon connected youth leadership with the Hub's wider work on food systems and climate action. It was held in Yaoundé in February 2025, alongside the launch of the Hub's Climate Action Convergence Initiative. The process brought together government officials, researchers, civil society, business leaders, UN partners, and young leaders. The engagement explored how stronger coordination, science, traditional knowledge and youth participation could support practical solutions linking food systems transformation and climate action.

Materials

In Chad, the SPSI workshop focused on how youth leadership and evidence-informed decision-making can support food systems transformation in fragile contexts. Held in N'Djamena in November 2024, it brought together the National Convenor, young leaders, researchers, policymakers, FAO Chad, and civil society. Discussions focused on scaling youth-led initiatives, strengthening national capacities, and addressing knowledge gaps ahead of UNFSS+4. Participants established a task force to track outcomes and maintain momentum after the workshop.

Materials

The country engagement in Colombia took place in Bogotá in April 2026, co-organized with FAO and UNFPA. The workshop brought together young leaders, government representatives, UN agencies, and civil society to strengthen youth engagement in transforming national food systems. Discussions explored how agroecological transition, family farming, biodiversity monitoring, and rural employment could support practical, context-specific solutions. The process resulted in a Convergence Action Plan and a 90-day implementation roadmap aligned with Colombia's National Development Plan and the Human Right to Food.

Materials

The country workshop in Ethiopia was held in Addis Ababa in December 2025, titled "Building the Next Generation of Ethiopia's Food Systems Leaders." Co-organized by the Hub and the Agricultural Transformation Institute, with support from FAO's Office of Youth and Women, the workshop brought together government leaders, researchers, civil society, and young innovators. The process also laid the groundwork for follow-up work on the policy landscape assessment, youth engagement, and national implementation priorities.

Materials

In April 2026, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia convened over 50 participants in Putrajaya for a three-day SPSI workshop. Bringing together government ministries, research institutions, civil society, and youth-led agribusinesses, the workshop aimed to accelerate food systems transformation by strengthening evidence-informed, youth-inclusive approaches within national policy processes. Participants mapped stakeholder influence, co-developed action plans aligned with Malaysia's national food systems pathway, and committed to a 90-day implementation roadmap. 

Materials

The country engagement in Saint Lucia took place in Castries in April 2026, under the leadership of the national convenor and in collaboration with the Hub and the UN Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. The workshop brought together government officials, researchers, civil society, producer organizations, and young leaders to strengthen coordination for food systems transformation. The process supported the operationalization of Saint Lucia's national food systems transformation pathway and strengthened linkages between youth-led initiatives and national policy processes.

Materials

The country engagement in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines took place in Kingstown in April 2026, under the leadership of the national convenor and in collaboration with the Hub’s, FAO, and the Zero Hunger Trust Fund. The workshop brought together government officials, researchers, civil society, farmer and fisher organizations, and young leaders to strengthen coordination for food systems transformation. The process also supported the integration of the newly established World Food Forum National Youth Chapter into national policy processes and implementation mechanisms.

Materials

In the Gambia, the SPSI workshop brought young leaders into direct conversation with government representatives and UN partners on evidence-informed food systems transformation. Held in Banjul in December of 2024, the workshop opened with support from national and UN leadership, including the Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery, the UN Resident Coordinator, and the FAO Representative. A key outcome was the appointment of a YLP alum to lead a national task force to follow up on workshop outcomes and advance youth engagement in the national processes.

Materials

The Viet Nam country workshop was held in Hanoi in December 2024. It was organized in collaboration with FAO's Office of the Chief Scientist and facilitated by the country's National Convenor. The workshop explored how science, policy and society can be better connected to support Viet Nam's national food systems transformation priorities. Discussions focused on developing a knowledge-based, gender-sensitive, and youth-responsive approach to advance the country's national pathway. The workshop helped position young leaders as contributors to evidence-informed dialogue and practical follow-up linked to national food systems priorities.

Materials