Ethiopia advances youth-led food systems transformation through new Science-Policy-Society Interface Workshop

Addis Ababa, 18 December 2025 – Ethiopia has taken an important step toward strengthening evidence-informed, inclusive, and youth-driven food systems transformation. With the workshop “Building the Next Generation of Ethiopia’s Food Systems Leaders”, the country launched a promising national Science-Policy-Society Interface (SPSI).

Held from 16–18 December in Addis Ababa, the event was co-organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), with the support of FAO’s Office of Youth and Women. The three-day workshop convened government leaders, researchers, civil society, and young innovators to align national priorities with youth-led action and to accelerate progress on the Ethiopian Food Systems Transformation and Nutrition (EFSTN) Pathway.

Bringing together participants from across Ethiopia, the workshop aimed to strengthen the channels that connect scientific evidence, policy processes, and community needs.

A renewed commitment after UNFSS+4

The initiative builds on Ethiopia’s leadership during the 2^nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), co-hosted in Addis Ababa in July, where countries reaffirmed that food systems transformation depends on stronger national governance, science-informed decision making, and meaningful youth engagement. This week’s SPSI workshop translates those commitments into action.

“Ethiopia has shown consistent dedication to transforming its food systems in ways that support economic development, environmental sustainability, and social well-being,” said Dr. Mandefro Nigussie, CEO of ATI, in his opening remarks. He highlighted the central role of youth and the importance of embedding SPSI approaches in national implementation.

Connecting knowledge with action

Over three days, participants explored how SPSI mechanisms can help operationalize the national pathway and reinforce Ethiopia’s vision of a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food system in times of growing social and environmental pressures.

With multiple voices in the room, participants included decision makers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and a wide range of youth representatives, many representing the WFF Ethiopia National Chapter.

The WFF Ethiopia National Chapter – representing over 700 youth members – also reviewed its strategic priorities through an SPSI lens, identifying where science, community needs, and public policy must come together to accelerate change.

Youth leaders worked alongside government and research institutions to refine and classify their emerging workplans according to the seven clusters of the EFSTN Framework, including nutrient-dense food production, value chain development, mechanization and digital innovation, market access, risk management, and skills development.

Developing a collaborative, youth-led action plan

A key outcome of the workshop was the co-creation of a youth-led national action plan. Developed with mentorship from ATI’s Technical Support Unit and experts across the seven EFSTN clusters, this inception plan will evolve thanks to a new Task Force dedicated to operationalizing concrete steps that decision makers, youth and scientists will take in the next 90 days to advance Ethiopia’s food system transformation, including:

• Aligning youth-led innovations and research with national priorities.
• Strengthening communication channels between youth groups and decision makers in support of Ethiopia’s pathway.
• Designing a mechanism for ongoing youth-policy dialogue and follow-up coordination to localize solutions (i.e. climate adaptation, nutrition, and value chain resilience), as well as scale the knowledge of young leaders on food systems through soft skills, such as systems thinking.
  
  

Participants also received training on monitoring and evaluation, helping them define indicators, milestones, and responsibilities to ensure their projects remain evidence-informed and policy-relevant.

Towards a sustained SPSI ecosystem in Ethiopia

The workshop concluded with commitments to embed SPSI practices in Ethiopia’s ongoing food systems governance. This includes integrating youth-led action plans into the EFSTN national implementation framework, establishing a follow-up mechanism between ATI and the WFF Ethiopia Chapter, and documenting the Ethiopian experience as a model for other countries pursuing SPSI-based transformation.

Momentum for Ethiopia’s next generation of food systems leadership

The SPSI Inception Workshop marks a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s journey to empower its next generation of food systems leaders. By bringing youth into the heart of policy processes and pairing their ideas with scientific insights and institutional support, Ethiopia is advancing an innovative model of transformation.

“We are here together because no single actor can transform a food system alone. Governments bring vision and legitimacy. Scientists bring evidence and innovation. Communities bring lived experience. And youth bring energy, creativity, courage, and urgency,” said Dr. Nicole de Paula, Technical Officer (Science for Food) at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. “Now is the moment to institutionalize youth engagement, to embed SPSI into national frameworks, and to ensure that youth-led initiatives are evidence-based, policy-aligned, and socially grounded.”

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and partners will continue supporting Ethiopia as it strengthens national coordination, fosters youth-driven innovation, and advances the EFSTN pathway across the country.