YPARD Cafés, podcasts and agroecology boardgames…

Young Professionals for Agriculture Development (YPARD) is the largest global, youth-led organisation empowering young people to meaningfully engage in and sustainably transform agrifood systems. It comprises young professionals from diverse backgrounds, including farmers, students, agripreneurs, extension agents, teachers, policy specialists and community leaders working in agrifood systems around the world.

Young people make up nearly a fifth of the global population and more than 40% of working youth are already engaged in agrifood systems. Empowering and meaningfully engaging them is essential to sustainably transform our food systems and build a more resilient future. As a global youth network, YPARD works through strategic partnerships with educational institutions, local communities and multilateral organisations to harness youth innovation, creativity and fresh perspectives. By fostering intergenerational exchange and collaboration, YPARD helps drive the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems.

“True transformation in our global food systems begins when we anchor youth leadership at the core of sustainable agriculture. Young people are not just the future beneficiaries of these systems; they are the essential drivers of change who possess the energy and adaptability required to pioneer sustainable development.”

– Atineno Gloria, Co-Country Representative, Kenya

YPARD operates at local, national, regional and global levels. Through its key strategic areas of capacity building, education, access to assets, advocacy and network building, it addresses the systemic barriers young people face while equipping them to tackle climate change through the agri-food system. YPARD’s core activities include volunteer leadership and professional skills training, Community Solutions Projects and agribusiness incubators, fellowships and internships for young people, global Working Groups on policy, fundraising and communications and peer learning spaces.

“Young people can drive meaningful change in local food systems when they work closely with communities and listen to their needs. Change takes collaboration, consistency and creating solutions that are practical and locally relevant.”

– Irene Wanjiku, WYNA intern with PELUM Kenya

YPARD Cafés: Brewing bold ideas and promoting sustainable action

A YPARD Café is a physical or virtual space for knowledge exchange among peers and experts. These Cafés promote peer-to-peer learning and capacity building in technical topics and professional skills. They create safe and inclusive spaces where young people can share their experiences, challenges and innovations.

Read more about these YPARD Cafés:

Discussing agripreneurship in a YPARD National Café, Kenya Credit: YPARD

YPARD Peru podcast: Territoria Vivo

Territorio Vivo is a Spanish podcast created by YPARD Peru highlights real stories from young people working on agriculture, environmental protection and territorial development. It combines personal narratives with broader themes of community resilience and social change. Stories feature:

  • A young beekeeper protecting native bees and biodiversity while promoting resilience and community values.
  • Youth-led initiatives like Eco Kawsay, working on recycling, circular economy and environmental education.
  • Reflections on how young people can act as agents of change from their own territories.
  • Personal journeys connecting nature, identity and sustainable livelihoods

The Agroecology Boardgame

Designed by YPARD Zambia, the game is an entertaining way of reinforcing agroecological knowledge. In the game, participants are required to explain each hurdle or advantage. This encourages critical thinking about analysing soil, how relying on a renewable energy source can accelerate progress and how challenges like animal theft or pest outbreaks can set farmers back, among others. It also teaches the importance of resilience, adaptation and innovation in farming. Agroecology concepts are more memorable and relatable for young farmers through storytelling, reflection and competition.

The rules: The first player to reach the pen is the winner and receives the prize.

  1. Each player rolls two dice. A roll of 6 allows the player to move from the starting point. Players then advance by the total number rolled.
  2. A double 6 earns an extra chance to roll again.
  3. Landing on an orange square propels the player forward but only if they can explain what the boost means in agroecological practice and how it applies to their farm.
  4. Landing on a dark red square pushes the player backward, requiring them to explain the setback and its real-life farming implications.

How can you get involved?

  • As a member: YPARD welcomes any young professional aged 18 to 35 who is involved in, or passionate about, the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems. To get involved in YPARD, you can join a YPARD Country Chapter. A list of all active Chapters can be found here. If the country you reside in does not have a YPARD Chapter yet, you can create one! Details can be found here.
  • As a partner: YPARD’s network of global, regional and national partners are key in creating strong network linkages for youth. Partners support in implementing various projects, appear as experts in YPARD Cafes and youth-led side events in policy and collaborate on miscellaneous activities with youth on the ground. To become a partner, contact YPARD through the form on this page.

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