First Asia-Pacific Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympics (YFCA)

First Asia-Pacific Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympics (YFCA)
Empowering Young Farmers in Cooperatives and Organizations: Building Sustainable Food Systems
12-16 August 2024 | UP Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

Young people are often regarded as the largest contributor and driving force in creating sustainability in any industry or profession, as the majority of the workforce will eventually be coming from the youth. According to the United Nations, there are 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10-24, which is the largest generation of youth in history. In a decade, the workforce of all professions will be dominated by young people wherein their decisions in choosing their career path will be attributed to the viability of the sector/industry and their interest.

This is especially true for young people in agriculture as youth are seen to have the potential to make significant contributions to agricultural development at various levels. For many decades, the rural youth have been neglected by their communities and governments, and this neglect led to unemployment, underemployment, and engagement in informal, insecure, and hazardous jobs and labor. Because of the lack of opportunities for young people in rural areas, they are compelled to migrate to cities to be able to access better work and income opportunities. Moreover, the young people who continue to stay working on farms were often forced to stay or did not have a better option for employment. This has resulted in another problem—the aging of the farming population, which is apparent not just at the regional level in Asia but also at the global level.

In less than a decade, experts predict a critical shortage of farmers worldwide, endangering food sufficiency and agricultural sustainability. This impending crisis underscores the urgent need to address the challenges faced by young people in agriculture.

In 2014, the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) began its work on rural youth in agriculture and was able to conduct a series of national and regional consultations among youth leaders of AFA member organizations. The consultation was able to provide context on why agriculture is not attractive to young people. The discussions centered on seven interrelated reasons why many of the youth, including children of farmers, do not want to farm if they have a choice.

1. Farmers’ low identity and self-image. Farming is regarded as a lowly, back-breaking, unglamorous, dirty job needing little skills which contributes to low pride and lack of dignity in farming. This low regard is also being reinforced in societies.

2. Farming is not a profitable job. The majority of farmers are poor and do not gain enough income from agriculture. The decreasing income is due to the increasing cost of agricultural labor and inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.

3. Insecure land ownership and increasing land prices. Farmers who cultivate land are deprived of ownership because of massive land acquisition and land transfer to private entities specifically for economic and industry use.

4. Lack of rural infrastructure. There is a lack of good infrastructure and institutions such as roads, electricity, health centers, hospitals, schools and universities, entertainment, internet infrastructures, business establishments, and markets to sell their agricultural produce as well as facilities for small and medium-scale agro-industries or factories to attract youth to stay in rural areas.

5. Lack of supportive government policies and programs for farmers. Many governments in developing countries do not focus on formulating and implementing policies/programs for smallholder farmers, but rather, give priority to corporate farming and large-scale industrial agriculture. Thus, many farmers lack access to land, credit and financing, and markets. Moreso, there is a lack of policies and programs addressing the needs of the rural youth and young farmers which makes it difficult to compete with big commercial farms.

6. Lack of curriculum on land, agrarian reform, and agriculture. Many schools and university curricula in developing countries do not include land and agriculture, resulting in the neglect of land and agrarian reform and discouraging young farmers to pursue agricultural careers.

7. Lack of organizations of young farmers at the local, national, and international level. There are very few organized groups at the local, national, and international level for young farmers for solidarity, exchange of information and ideas, and to support each other’s endeavors to represent their interest in different decision-making bodies.

A lot of work must be done to be able to empower and help young farmers realize their full potential. This includes raising public awareness amongst multiple stakeholders that agriculture is a viable career option and should be given more attention as it can help boost economic activity at the local level, food security, reduce poverty, and provide climate-smart solutions.

The consortium of the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), International Co-operative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP), and Pacific Farmer Organisations (PFO) has been doing continuous interventions for young farmers at various levels. These activities range from capacity building, financial and technical capacity support, leadership development, policy advocacy, alliance, and movement building, learning exchanges for young farmers, and development of research and publication documenting cases of young farmers’ practices, effective programs, and policies, to support policy development processes.

OBJECTIVES AND OUTPUTS

As part of the work to attract and strengthen youth engagement in agricultural development, the consortium of AFA, ICA-AP, and PFO will conduct a five-day Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympics (YFCA) activity on 12-16 August 2024 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus in Laguna province, Philippines. The project intends to contribute to creating an enabling environment and platform/mechanism for the youth to continue to participate in agriculture while the activity has the following specific objectives:

Raise public consciousness and awareness among youth that farming can be both fun and viable career
Encourage agricultural cooperatives and farmers/producers’ organizations to strengthen the engagement of their youth members through the creation of mechanisms for the active participation of youth in cooperative governance
Draw out and popularize existing agricultural production and enterprise initiatives
Inspire young farmers to develop innovative ideas
Provide space for dialogue between senior/mentors and young farmers
Catalyze the formation of young farmers organization network in Asia and the Pacific

FIRST ASIA-PACIFIC YOUNG FARMERS CAMP AND AGRILYMPICS

The First Regional Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympics will include games and friendly competition among participants in relation to their skills and knowledge in agriculture. A call-to-action pitching session will also be conducted to present their innovative plans on policy advocacy work, capacity building, and business ideas and plans where selected organizations will be able to get technical and/or financial support to implement their plans. It will also showcase a knowledge market share fair wherein young farmers will be able to showcase their initiatives. stories, products, and services to other participants and partners. Lastly, the event will also highlight mentorship and exchanges by providing opportunities for dialogue between seasoned farmers and young farmers and encourage intergenerational sustainability of agriculture.

ORGANIZERS

The activity is a joint effort implementation by the consortium of AFA, ICA-AP, and PFO. The project conceptualization, development, resource mobilization, participants, and logistical arrangements are a shared responsibility between the three organizations depending on their area or scope of operations (AFA for Asia and ICA-AP and PFO for both Asia and Pacific members.

Asian Farmers Association for Sustainable Rural Development

The Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) is a regional alliance of 22 national farmers organizations in 16 countries in Asia, composed of small-scale women and men family farmers, fishers, indigenous peoples, forest users, herders, and pastoralists. AFA’s goal is to strengthen the capacities of the leaders and technical staff of national farmers’ organizations, leading to the eradication of poverty and hunger, increased resilience, and sense of well-being of family farmers in Asia. AFA promotes a six-point peasant agenda which includes: secured rights to natural resources; sustainable, climate resilient, agro ecological approaches; cooperative development; women empowerment; engagement of youth in agriculture; farmers’ organization governance.

International Cooperative Alliance-Asia Pacific

The International Cooperative Alliance-Asia Pacific (ICA-AP) is a regional office of the International Cooperative Alliance, which aims to promote and strengthen cooperatives in the Asia-Pacific region. ICA-AP supports the development of cooperative businesses by facilitating collaboration, capacity building and serves cooperatives in sectors such as agriculture, banking, consumer, health, housing, and workers, among others. Through regional initiatives and programs, ICA-AP works to enhance the cooperative movement, promote sustainable development, and improve the socio-economic conditions of communities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Pacific Farmer Organisations

The Pacific Farmer Organizations (PFO) serves as an umbrella organization for national farmer organizations across the Pacific region. PFO coordinates capacity building, shares success stories and lessons learned and supports regional exchanges of expertise between farmer organizations and their private sector partners. PFO began informally operating in 2008 and was registered as a not-for-profit company in 2013. Today, PIFON represents a vibrant and growing network of national farmer organizations that are transforming agriculture in the region. Our secretariat, based in Nadi, Fiji, has grown from two part-time staff in a shared office to a dedicated team working from our own space.

Host Country and Host Organizations

The First Asia-Pacific YFCA will be held in the Philippines, with support from the local farmers’ organization members and partners of AFA, Philippine government agencies, academic institutions, media, and civil society organizations. These organizations will be tapped to act as local hosts and will be mainly responsible for resource mobilization at the local level and the arrangement of logistical needs. The AFA regional secretariat will also be providing support in the management and implementation of the 5-day activity.

FIRST ASIA-PACIFIC YFCA CO-ORGANIZERS AND SPONSORS

University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) – College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

The College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños is the premier institution of higher learning in agriculture and food science in the Philippines. It offers undergraduate and post-graduate curricular programs that promote science-based, relevant, and sustainable agriculture and food science. It is focused on bringing primary food to the market and its consumers in response to the rising necessity for agribusiness.

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is a non-profit organization established by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in 1966. SEARCA is hosted by the Philippine government on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. As SEAMEO’s center of excellence in agriculture, SEARCA is mandated to: provide to the participating countries high-quality graduate study in agriculture; promote, undertake, and coordinate research programs related to the needs and problems of the Southeast Asian region; and disseminate the findings of agricultural research and experimentation.

Agricultural Training Institute

The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Philippine Department of Agriculture is the capacity builder, knowledge bank, and catalyst of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries extension system.

Cooperative Development Authority

The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) is a Philippine government agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry in charge of promoting the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of equity, social justice, and economic development.

Philippine Coconut Authority

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for developing the coconut and other palm oil industry to its full potential in line with the new vision of a united, globally competitive, and efficient industry.

AgriCord

AgriCord is a global alliance of agri-agencies mandated by farmers’ organisations and their ooperative businesses from countries in Africa, Asia, Canada, the European Union, and Latin America. Agri-agencies are non-governmental oragnizations for international development cooperation with structural links to the farmers’ and rural members’ organizations in their home countries.

German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation

The German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV) is the national apex organization and top-level auditing confederation of the cooperative sector in Germany. Since more than 40 years, DGRV is engaged in international development cooperation. In more than 30 partner countries, DGRV provides consultancy and helps to develop cooperative systems and structures aiming at a sustainable development of the cooperative sector. Cooperatives are a proven organisational and legal form for cooperation in various ways, from which the individual members as well as the entire committed community benefit. Cooperatives and their members represent ethical values such as honesty, transparency, social responsibility and mutual solidarity. The principles of self-help, self-administration and self-responsibility as introduced by F.W. Raiffeisen are of crucial importance.

Voluntary Service Overseas International

The Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) International is a leading international development organization that works through volunteers to tackle poverty and inequality. Founded in 1958, VSO operates in numerous countries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, focusing on empowering marginalized communities through collaborative efforts and sustainable development initiatives.

Kalipunan ng mga Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Pilipinas

The Kalipunan ng mga Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Pilipinas (KAMMPIL) (National Federation of Small Coconut Farmers in the Philippines) was established in 1989 and accredited by the Philippine government on January 8, 1992. It envisions a progressive coconut industry with small coconut farmers and farmworkers at the center of development and growth. Its mission is to act as the national center of small coconut farmers and farmworkers in the pursuit of agrarian reform implementation, recovery of the coconut levy funds and assets, and agro-enterprise development. Its programs and services include capacity building on a diversified integrated farming system; managing the organization and leadership development; sustainable integrated coconut area-based development; policy advocacy on coco levy recovery and agrarian reform; and, inter-cropping/root crops production; and seed nuts distribution. KAMMPIL has 13 affiliated farmer’s organizations coming from 12 coconut-producing provinces and around 14,000 household members nationwide.

Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka

The Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) is a 36-year-old national peasant confederation and movement of small farmers, fishers, Indigenous peoples, rural women, and youth organizations

dedicated to building empowered, prosperous, and caring family farmers and resilient rural communities by ensuring their asset ownership and control, productivity, and resiliency, product values addition and enhanced market power and meaningful participation in policy spaces and public programs. PAKISAMA is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit organization since February 17, 1988. PAKISAMA works with partner donors and technical public and private agri-agencies at local, national, regional, and international levels and employs effective partnerships between family farmer leaders and professional staff in building the capacity of its member family farmers’ associations and argic-cooperatives to provide full value chain services to members and influence public policies and programs through effective experience-based policy advocacy and partnerships.

Philippine Family Farmers’ Agriculture Fishery Forestry Cooperatives Federation

The Philippine Family Farmers’ Agriculture Fishery Forestry Cooperatives Federation (AgriCOOPh) was established in 2018 and has 45 member cooperatives and US$2.3 million in assets with combined individual members of 525,000. As a full value chain service provider, the federation’s services are directed towards enhancing the capabilities of agricultural cooperatives in value chain development that are supporting their members’ farming enterprises. It offers highly specialized training in governance and financial management, business advising, and research. AgriCOOPh’s core programs are Organizational Strengthening, Enterprise Development, Linking to Markets, and Financial Accessing. AgriCOOPh’s priority areas are membership recruitment in other regions, integrated, diversified farming enterprises at the farmer level, diversified agri-enterprises at the cooperative level, engagement in public food procurement, product branding, and digital agriculture.

COMDEV ASIA

ComDev Asia (CDA) is a regional initiative that promotes Communication for Development (ComDev) in agriculture and rural development in the Asia-Pacific region. Its purpose is to build ComDev capacities and to support rural communication policies and services in the region. ComDev Asia is promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Its governance is based on a Steering Committee comprising communication entities and networks, academic institutions, family farmers organizations, among which: Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA), World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), Digital Green, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and FAO. ComDev Asia is facilitated by the College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB- CDC).

GUGMA

Gugma PR is a public relations group helping advocates, movements, and change-makers build impact through communications.

UPLB UGNAYAN NG PAHINUNGOD

The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód is the volunteer service program of the University of the Philippines. The program provides volunteer opportunities to its students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, and partners to serve the marginalized and underserved.

Established in 1994 under the administration of then UP President Emil Q. Javier as a response to the criticism that UP has lost its soul, the office was revitalized in 2019 by current UP President Danilo L. Concepcion as a concrete commitment to UP’s brand of honor and excellence with compassion. Pahinungód is an integral part of UP’s mission in enriching instruction, research, extension, and public service through volunteerism.

4-H CLUB OF CALAMBA CITY

The First Asia-Pacific YFCA is conducted with the support of:

The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Support to Farmers Organisations for Asia (FO4A) is a capacity-building and market-oriented programme that aims to increase income and improve the livelihood, food, and nutrition security of smallholder farmers and family farmers in 29 countries in Asia through their farmers’ organisations (FOs). The programme is formed by a USD 3 million grant (APFP) from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), a USD 2 million grant (ARISE) from the Rural Poor Stimulus Facility of IFAD, and a USD 8 million co-financing (FO4A) from the European Union.

AFA is implementing a project within SPADe, an initiative in Mindanao in the Philippines co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). SPADe, as part of the Mindanao Peace and Development programme (MinPAD RISE) of the EU, is dedicated to aligning the peace-building and socio-economic development goals and the overall peace and development framework. AFA’s project, “Empowering Women and Youth through Inclusive Cooperatives and Agricultural Value Chains toward Peace and Development in Mindanao,” aims to tackle gender disparities and the limited involvement of young farmers by creating opportunities for inclusion in decision-making and socio-economic development. Currently, AFA is collaborating with 21 cooperatives in Regions X, XI, XII, and XIII, alongside seven cooperative federations and CSO networks, such as AgriCOOPh and PAKISAMA, with GIZ as the lead partner.

YFCA LOGO

The YFCA logo symbolizes a bright future, emphasizing the potential and promise of the next generation. It conveys a sense of community, growth, and optimism, highlighting the importance of nurturing young farmers to ensure a sustainable future.

The round silhouette represents an all-encompassing, well-rounded approach, signifying the full cycle of agriculture and the complete value chain.

The diverse colors of the figures, representing young farmers, symbolize inclusivity, reflecting the unity of people from different backgrounds and cultures.

The golden grains symbolize the seeds we plant today, which will grow into a golden future. Positioned above the figures, they represent looking upward toward a brighter, prosperous future.

The green leaves and stalks sprouting from the golden grains signify a commitment to the environment and sustainability.

VENUE

The First Asia-Pacific YFCA will be held in Los Baños, Laguna, with the majority of the activities to be held inside theUniversity of the Philippines (UPLB) campus.

UPLB is situated at the foot of Mount Makiling, a dormant volcanic mountain. This provides a lush, green backdrop and a rich biodiversity that includes numerous plant and animal species. The campus is home to extensive forests, botanical gardens, and natural reserves, making it a hub for ecological and agricultural research. Surrounding the campus are vast agricultural lands used for various research and experimental farms.

Los Baños is famous for its natural hot springs, and there are numerous resorts and recreational areas that take advantage of this natural feature. Nearby parks and nature reserves, such as the Makiling Botanic Gardens and the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, provide additional opportunities for outdoor activities and ecological studies.

The area experiences a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by high humidity and significant rainfall, particularly from June to November.

PROGRAM

Day 1: August 12

I. Parade of Nations and Lighting of Cauldron. The opening will feature a parade of nations, with participants marching in their cultural or native attire. This will also be the moment for the cauldron lighting, signaling the official start of the First Asia-Pacific YFCA.

II. Opening Ceremony. The opening ceremony will feature speeches and messages from the organizers and development partners, as well as cultural performances from the host country.

III. Agrilympics. The participants will engage in entertaining games that incorporate elements of agriculture, showcasing various aspects of farming in a fun and interactive way.

Day 2: August 13

I. Knowledge Market Share Fair

This exhibition and fair will provide a dynamic platform for the participants to showcase their stories, products, and services to conference attendees and visiting audiences.

Representatives from various young farmer organizations and other organizing committee partners will take part in the activity, fostering an environment of learning and sharing.

The fair aims to enhance exchanges and interactions with new organizations, stimulating innovative thinking, synergies, collaborations, and networking opportunities.

II. Plenary Sessions

The plenary will be an input discussion centering on two topics:

Youth in Agriculture Situationer in Asia and the Pacific
Showcasing enabling policies and good practices of young farmer engagements.

A panel of speakers will be providing inputs in the topics with a Q&A discussion.

III. World Café

Participants will engage in a World Café activity focusing on the following topics:

Agroecology/ Sustainable Farming
Cooperatives as a viable model
Models in Institutionalizing Young Farmers Engagement

IV. Cultural/Solidarity Night: Southeast Asia

This activity in the evening is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultures of Southeast Asia. This special night is designed for the young farmer participants to unite in solidarity, share experiences, and immerse themselves in the rich traditions and flavors of this diverse region.

Day 3: August 14

I. Forest Bathing at Makiling Botanic Gardens

For an hour, participants enjoyed a peaceful walk surrounded by nature, and learned about various species of flora and fauna endemic to the Philippines.

II. Asia- Pacific Young Farmers, Fishers, Pastoralists, Forest-users Consultation on Climate Resiliency and Climate Action

This is a whole-day consultation session focusing on climate resiliency and climate action within the Asia-Pacific region. This session brings together the young farmers to collaborate, share knowledge, and develop strategies for combating the impacts of climate change on their livelihoods and communities.

III. Cultural/Solidarity Night: East, Central, and South Asia

This evening activity brings together the rich and diverse cultures of East, Central, and South Asia. This special night is designed for the young farmers to connect, share their experiences, and immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions and flavors of these regions.

Day 4: August 15

I. Skills Lab

Participants took part in learning sessions, which featured hands-on activities and discussions at the following sites:

1. Harnessing the Power of Communication: Storytelling and Communication for Advocacy and Agribusiness
Anchored by: UPLB ComDev Asia and Gugma

Workshop on Storytelling
Resource Person: Gibby Gorres, Gugma PR

This session will orient participants on the fundamental pillars of communication for advocacy work through stories. It will also gave participants practical insights on fostering meaningful engagement in social media. The workshop will incorporate fun group activities and engaging presentations and discussions.

Workshop on ComDev (Communication for Development)
Resources Person: Prof. Rosa Pilipinas Francisco, ComDev Asia/ UPLB College of Development Communication

This skills lab session will equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to elevate their farm and agribusiness projects through effective communication. They will develop a deeper appreciation for the power of communication and gain practical expertise in crafting compelling content for social media, websites, and other platforms. Additionally, participants will tour the Radyo DZLB Ang Tinig ng Kaunlaran and UPLB CDC TV studios, providing them with an insightful glimpse into media production and broadcasting.

2. Bridging the Digital Divide through ATI’s Digital Farmers Program
Anchored by: Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)
Resource Person: JL Auman, ATI

Launched in June 2019 by the Agricultural Training Institute in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc., the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) focuses on fundamental digital skills for farmers and youth to support the Philippine government’s initiative for advanced agricultural technology adoption.

The session detailed how DFP empowers local farmers through a structured, ladderized approach—DFP 101 (Beginner), DFP 102 (Intermediate), and DFP 103 (Advanced). The participants gained insights into how the program trains farmers in basic digital tools such as social media, climate and weather apps, and online payment systems, helping them make informed decisions, improve market access, and enhance their livelihoods.

3. Learning Laboratory for Agroforestry (LLA)
Anchored by: UPLB Institute of Agroforestry – Learning Laboratory for Agroforestry (IAF-LLA), University of the Philippines Los Baños

Located within the Makiling Forest Reserve of Forestry and Natural Resources of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the Learning Laboratory for Agroforestry (LLA) showcases various agroforestry and other supportive technologies.

Maintained and developed by the Institute of Agroforestry (IAF) since 1991, LLA caters to more than a thousand national and international visitors each year–mostly students, farmers, researchers, and technical field personnel coming from NGOs, GOs, POs, local government units, academic and research institutions, and other concerned agencies. Students, researchers, and other practitioners also utilize the area for training, practicum work, and research purposes.

This 8.1-hectare farm showcases different agroforestry-related production and protection technologies such as nursery area, vermicomposting, alley cropping system, contour and diversion canals, check-dams, fruit tree-based agroforestry system, multistorey system, bench terraces, rockwalls, balabag and fallow system, fascine, fanya-juu, and rubber-based production area.

4. Edible Landscaping, Dairy Training and Research Institute (DTI) and Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC)
Anchored by: UPLB CAFS

5. UPLB CAFS Organic Agriculture Research, Development and Extension Center (OARDEC) – UPLB CAFS National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) – UPLB CAFS Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)
Anchored by: UPLB CAFS

II. Pitching Session

The young farmers will create a short video outlining their plans for their farm or agribusiness, policy advocacy, capacity building activities, etc. that will be implemented in their communities once they are back home. These videos will be shared with development partners to highlight potential sponsorship opportunities and support for their initiatives.

III. Cultural/Solidarity Night: The Pacific Islands

Set sail on a magical evening that celebrates the vibrant and diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands. This special night is designed for the young farmers to come together in solidarity, share their stories, and immerse themselves in the rich traditions and flavors of the Pacific.

Day 5: August 16

I. Closing Ceremony

Closing ceremonies, including the awarding of certificates and the announcement of the next host country.

II. Visit to IRRI

Participants will conduct a learning visit to the International Rice Research Institute.

III. Tourism Day

The afternoon of the final day will be spent exploring interesting spots in the province of Laguna, Philippines.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants must meet the following criteria:

Age: Participants should be between 18 to 40 years old.
Membership: Participants must be members of a cooperative/farmer organization/youth group, or any similar type of group or unit, and have been endorsed by their parent or umbrella organization.
Engagement: Participants should be actively engaged in farming, fishing, herding, any other type of agricultural activity and/or an agri-based enterprise within their cooperative or organization.
Endorsement: The endorsing organization should have an existing youth committee or mechanism for youth engagement.
Language Proficiency: Participants should be able to speak and understand basic English.
Gender Representation: For countries with more than one delegation, a gender-balanced representation must be ensured.

Application Process

Nomination by Cooperative/ Organization/ Group: Each cooperative/organization/group is invited to nominate eligible candidates as described in the participant criteria guidelines.
Submission of Application: Nominations per organization should be submitted via the registration form by 18 July 2024, 11:59 PM (GMT+8). Register at https://bit.ly/yfcareg.
Screening and Selection: A selection committee will review all applications based on the eligibility criteria and the overall goal of ensuring diverse and inclusive representation. Priority may be given to candidates who demonstrate strong engagement in farming activities, leadership potential, and innovation in agri-based enterprises.
Confirmation of Participation: Selected participants will receive a confirmation via email, including details on the accommodations, and the event schedule. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified.
Submission of flight details: For easier monitoring of participants’ flights, all successful applicants are required to submit their flight details before 31 July 2024. Fill out the form at https://bit.ly/yfcaflight.

Responsibilities of Endorsing Organizations

Endorsement Letter: Provide a formal endorsement letter for the nominated candidate(s), highlighting their suitability and engagement within the cooperative/ organization.
Support and Guidance: Assist the nominated candidate(s) with the application process and provide the necessary support to ensure their participation, including but not limited to flight booking, funding resources for accommodation, and food, among others.
Gender Balance: For organizations submitting multiple nominations per country, we ask your organization to ensure a gender-balanced representation.