Colombia puts youth at the forefront of food systems transformation in Science–Policy–Society dialogue supported by the UN Bogotá, Colombia – 20 and 21 April, 2026

Young leaders, government representatives, UN agencies, and key stakeholders gathered in Colombia for a Science–Policy–Society Interface (SPSI) Workshop aimed at strengthening youth engagement in the transformation of national food systems.

The workshop marked an important step in building the next generation of leadership in Colombia’s food systems, recognizing that food systems are central to accelerating progress across the Sustainable Development Goals—from food security and poverty reduction to climate action and sustainable livelihoods.

Bringing together diverse actors from across sectors, the gathering connected policymakers,  science groups, and civil society , ensuring that youth-led innovation is translated into evidence-based decision-making and concrete policy action.

“This process is about ensuring that rural youth—especially young women—are not only included, but are active agents in shaping policies and driving transformation in our territories,” said Nancy Lozano, Director of Rural Women at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The commitments emerging from this workshop reinforce our efforts to build inclusive and equitable rural development pathways.”

Youth as drivers of transformation

A central message throughout the workshop was clear: young people are not only beneficiaries of policies—they are co-creators of solutions. Participants highlighted the critical role of youth in driving technological, social, and agroecological innovation, particularly in bridging rural and urban divides and addressing structural challenges in Colombia’s agrifood systems.

“Young people are bringing innovation, energy, and new perspectives that are essential for transforming Colombia’s agrifood systems,” noted Agustín Zimmermann, FAO Representative in Colombia. “Our role is to ensure that these contributions are supported by enabling policies, technical assistance, and investment.”

Discussions also emphasized the urgency of generational renewal in rural areas, with youth leadership seen as essential to ensuring long-term food security, resilience, and sustainability.

From dialogue to action

Through interactive sessions, participants explored key priorities, including:

• Strengthening agroecological practices and climate action
• Promoting inclusive rural development and youth employment
• Enhancing access to innovation, markets, and knowledge systems
• Advancing the right to food and intergenerational equity

A key highlight of the workshop was the exchange of seven youth-led experiences, presented through a poster methodology, showcasing practical innovations and grassroots leadership from across Colombia to decision makers. These included initiatives on food education, agrobiodiversity, agroecological movements, youth employability, family farming networks, incubation programs, and biodiversity monitoring as a tool for agroecological transition.

These experiences demonstrated the diversity, creativity, and impact of youth-led action, reinforcing the importance of scaling such initiatives through stronger policy alignment and institutional support for embedding the youth into policymaking.

“Spaces like this allow us to connect our local experiences with national decision-making processes,” declared Juan Fernando Martínez, Youth Leadership Programme participant. “Young people are ready to contribute solutions—we need platforms that help us turn ideas into action.”

Strengthening the science–policy–society interface

The workshop underscored the importance of bridging gaps between research, policy, and communities. By fostering dialogue between these actors, the SPSI approach enables more coherent, inclusive, and evidence-informed decision-making processes, ensuring that public policies reflect both scientific knowledge and lived realities.

“The SPSI approach is about connecting evidence, institutions, and people to accelerate implementation,” said Juana Giraldo, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. “By bringing youth into this interface, we are strengthening both the quality of decision-making and the sustainability of the solutions.”

Towards a shared roadmap for action

The two-day workshop concluded with the development of a Action Plan for the active involvement of youth in the implementation of Colombia’s National Food Systems Pathway and the Agrarian Reform CONPES.

This Action Plan outlines:

• Concrete actions for all stakeholders, including government, youth organizations, academia, and development partners
• A clear 90-day roadmap to initiate implementation
• Agreements between youth representatives and the Rural Women Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

The process will continue with the technical and strategic support of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (AO), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) ensuring sustained collaboration and follow-up.

A call to accelerate transformation

The SPSI workshop reaffirmed that transforming food systems requires inclusive governance, evidence-based policies, and strong youth leadership. By placing young people at the center of decision-making, Colombia is advancing toward a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food future.