World Food Forum Young Chefs Programme (YCP) 2026–2027: Applications Now Open to Young People Worldwide
The World Food Forum (WFF) invites passionate and proficient younger cooks from all over the world to apply for the 2026–2027 cohort of the Young Chefs Programme (YCP) — a world initiative that empowers cooks aged 18–35 to turn out to be changemakers in reworking agrifood techniques by means of culinary innovation, sustainability, and advocacy.
The programme offers a singular platform for younger cooks to achieve the abilities, data, and international connections wanted to promote higher vitamin, meals safety, and biodiversity whereas championing sustainable meals practices of their communities. Each participant will probably be paired with a mentor from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies community to information them all through the journey.
About the WFF Young Chefs Programme
The WFF Young Chefs Programme (YCP) is designed to nurture the following technology of culinary leaders who can encourage change at native, nationwide, and international ranges. By combining coaching, mentorship, advocacy, and hands-on neighborhood engagement, the YCP equips cooks to paved the way towards extra sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood techniques.
YCP Pillars
1. Capacity Development
Participants will find out about a wide range of matters, together with meals techniques considering, sustainable vitamin, meals security, gender-responsive vitamin, and extra. The objective is to strengthen their technical data and empower them as brokers of change for agrifood techniques transformation.
These matters will probably be lined by means of on-line masterclasses delivered by technical specialists from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and associate organizations. Each participant may also be paired with a mentor from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies community, guaranteeing a customized studying expertise {and professional} steering.
2. Advocacy
Participants will probably be inspired to design and implement public consciousness campaigns and create social media content material that evokes their communities and wider audiences to take motion for a extra sustainable meals future.
They may also have the chance to symbolize the programme at international occasions and high-level fora, together with the World Food Forum flagship occasion, the place they may advocate for higher vitamin, meals safety, and biodiversity on a global stage.
3. Local Action
Each participant will develop and implement a neighborhood venture aimed toward addressing particular native agrifood system wants. These tasks will probably be supported by mentors and tailor-made to native insights, challenges, and alternatives recognized by individuals.
In addition, tasks will align with the World Food Forum Youth Assembly’s Global Youth Action Plan (GYAP) and its regional priorities, guaranteeing that native efforts contribute to broader international targets for meals techniques transformation.
Programme Timeline
| Phase | Timeline | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Call for Applications | October–November 2025 | Open interval for submissions |
| Interviews | December 2025 | Selection course of for shortlisted candidates |
| Onboarding | January 2026 | Programme orientation and introduction |
| Capacity Development Workshops | January–June 2026 | Series of on-line studying periods with FAO and companions |
| Recipes + Community Projects Launched | June 2026 | Implementation of native tasks and recipe sharing |
| Presentation of Community Projects | October 2026 | Showcase on the WFF flagship occasion |
| Knowledge Exchange and Cohort Transition | January–February 2027 | Experience sharing and onboarding of the brand new cohort |
Application Guidelines
Before making use of, candidates should overview the choice standards, phrases of reference, and dealing protocol, obtainable right here: https://bit.ly/4gOPRlX.
Application Deadline: 16 November 2025 (midnight, CEST)
Required Documents
Applicants are required to add the next paperwork:
Signed working protocol
Updated CV, highlighting related volunteer, educational, or skilled expertise
Professional headshot
Short video (most 2 minutes) explaining how they might contribute to the Young Chefs Programme
Incomplete functions will not be thought-about.
For questions, contact [email protected].
Become a Leader in Sustainable Food Systems
The WFF Young Chefs Programme presents a transformative journey for younger culinary professionals obsessed with sustainability, innovation, and neighborhood influence. Through mentorship, coaching, and advocacy, individuals will be part of a community of cooks main the worldwide shift towards more healthy and extra sustainable meals techniques.
Learn more and apply today for the 2026–2027 WFF Young Chefs Programme.
Related
Discover extra from Opportunities for Youth
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your electronic mail.
World Food Forum Young Chefs Programme (YCP) 2026–2027: Applications Now Open to Young People Worldwide