Deadline: 1-May-23

The World Food Forum (WFF) invites FAO Members, stakeholders, partners and other interested parties to organize virtual or hybrid in-person side events to share their vision, along with key innovations and programmes.

These events are expected to deepen the discussion on agrifood systems transformation and provide an interactive and inclusive space for young people to intervene, promote ideas and spark action.

The World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent, youth-led global network of partners facilitated and hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Through its track activities, impact initiatives and content platforms, the WFF brings together young and young-at-heart people and an outstanding network of partners, with a common mission to co-create actionable solutions to advance agrifood systems transformation. In 2023 the WFF will centre its activities around the theme “ Food Action accelerates Climate Action.”.

The WFF Theme 2023: Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action

• The agrifood systems that encompass the journey of food from farm to table and beyond touch every aspect of our lives and reach every corner of the planet. Yet instead of harnessing their immense potential for positive impact, they are letting agrifood systems wreak havoc on our climate and environment.
• Currently, agrifood systems account for one-third of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, 90 percent of global deforestation and 70 percent of water use globally, and are the single greatest cause of terrestrial biodiversity loss, putting pressure on food value chains. Food is also the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills and they lose or waste enough food to feed 1.3 billion hungry people every year.
• But it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, transforming agrifood systems can – and must – be a central part of the global climate solution. It can significantly accelerate climate action and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By creating efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems they can mitigate and adapt to climate change, increase biodiversity and restore ecosystems, while also ensuring food security and better nutrition through agrifood systems that enable and sustain healthy diets, and a more equitable future for all.
• Over the past two years, our recurring forum has identified powerful ideas, policies and solutions to positively transform our agrifood systems for the benefit of everyone, everywhere. This year they are turning ideas into impact by focusing our efforts on local action.
• Climate change is a global challenge that requires comprehensive action across all sectors, including our agrifood systems. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. To drive real, sustainable change, they must respond to local needs and challenges, while supporting and implementing sustainable solutions that they can amplify and scale up.
• These actions take place throughout agrifood systems, from production to consumption. They include but are not limited to, sustainable production of food and bioenergy, reduction of food loss and waste, sustainable forest and water management, landscape restoration, reduced deforestation, sustainable management and restoration of high-carbon ecosystems (such as peatlands, wetlands, rangelands, mangroves and forests), reclamation of degraded soils and education programmes to help consumers make choices that are both healthy and environment-friendly.
• The WFF is also committed to local action that emphasizes innovation, partnerships, science-backed evidence, and all inclusiveness – with youth, Indigenous Peoples, women and people in vulnerable situations leading the way. They do this through a range of events and activities organized around four thematic tracks: Youth Action, Innovation, Education and Culture.

Side event conceptualization

• Side events can be organized by any entity and individual. The WFF welcomes organizers to partner in the organization of side events.
• Side event organizers are responsible for developing the concept note, planning and structuring the event, promoting the event, executing the event and covering any expenses.
• All costs related to side events, including travel, visas and logistical arrangements will be the responsibility of the organizers.
• Side events should be closely linked to the work of the WFF and should connect to topics related to the 2023 theme of “ Food Action accelerates Climate Action.”
• Side events should be youth-led, gender-balanced, ethnically diverse and inclusive for all, considering that the WFF is a multicultural platform that firmly believes in the importance of diversity and inclusion.
• The WFF encourages events focusing on different regions, and organized in different languages. Interpreters need to be arranged by the event organizers.
• Side events should be founded in the non-discriminatory respect for all persons.
• Only complete applications will be considered.

Promotion

• Side event organizers are responsible for the promotion of the event on their own channels.
• WFF will provide branding guidelines and materials.
• Approved side event applications will be displayed on the full WFF flagship event agenda.

Logistics

• For in-person side events the WFF will provide the space and the room for the side event to take place. Basic materials such as a table and chairs will be provided. Rooms will include a projector and will be equipped to stream to the WFF virtual platform. All other costs are the responsibility of the organizers.
• Organizers of in-person side events are responsible for their travel and visa arrangements.
• For online side events organizers are requested to create their own Zoom event and the WFF will be promoting them on the virtual platform.  Further practical information will be provided with the selection announcement. Virtual breakout rooms, close captions and hiring of simultaneous translations are possible (at own cost).
• Let’s be environmentally friendly. Please share all event materials digitally.

Location

• All in-person side events will be held at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
• Virtual side events will be featured on the WFF virtual event platform.

Application Process

• Use this online form to submit your side event proposal. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• The deadline for in-person and virtual side event proposals is 1 May.
• The WFF team will be responsible for reviewing all proposals and selecting the events based on the criteria listed.
• Organizers will be contacted after the submission and a notification on the acceptance of the proposal will be received by the organizers by 1 June.
• In-person side event organizers should provide confirmation of travel to Rome at the latest by 1 September.
• The full schedule of side events will be posted on world-food-forum.org after the acceptance of the proposals, by September.
• All queries and contributions regarding side events should be addressed.

For more information, visit WFF.