Ethiopia Launches Youth-Driven Food Systems Initiative

Addis Ababa, 19 December 2025 – Ethiopia has marked a significant milestone in the transformation of its food systems by launching a national initiative known as the Science-Policy-Society Interface (SPSI). The workshop titled “Building the Next Generation of Ethiopia’s Food Systems Leaders” was held from 16-18 December in Addis Ababa, aiming to strengthen evidence-informed, inclusive, and youth-driven strategies for food systems change.

Collaborative Workshop for Food Systems Transformation

This three-day workshop was co-organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), with support from the FAO’s Office of Youth and Women. Participants included government leaders, academics, civil society representatives, and young innovators, all collaborating to align national objectives with youth-led actions, thereby accelerating the Ethiopian Food Systems Transformation and Nutrition (EFSTN) Pathway.

The purpose of the workshop was to establish robust connections among scientific evidence, policy-making processes, and community needs. The event gathered a diverse group of stakeholders from various sectors to foster collaboration and innovation.

Building on International Commitments

This initiative is a direct follow-up to Ethiopia’s prominent role during the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), co-hosted in Addis Ababa in July. At this global summit, nations reiterated the importance of robust governance, science-based decision-making, and youth engagement for effective food systems transformation. The SPSI workshop seeks to operationalize these commitments.

Dr. Mandefro Nigussie, CEO of ATI, emphasized during his opening speech that Ethiopia is committed to transforming its food systems in support of economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. The workshop aims to incorporate youth perspectives into national implementation strategies.

Linking Knowledge with Action

Over the course of the workshop, participants engaged in exploring SPSI mechanisms to activate the national food systems pathways, envisioning a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food system capable of withstanding increasing social and environmental challenges.

Decision-makers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and youth representatives participated actively, with a significant presence from the WFF Ethiopia National Chapter, which includes over 700 youth members. They analyzed their strategic priorities through an SPSI perspective, identifying intersections where scientific insights, community needs, and public policies converge to foster change.

Co-Creating a Youth-Led National Action Plan

A notable outcome of the workshop was the development of a youth-led national action plan. This plan was crafted with input from ATI’s Technical Support Unit and experts from various EFSTN clusters, focusing on areas such as nutrient-dense food production, value chain development, mechanization, market access, and risk management.

Key action points outlined in the plan include:

• Aligning youth-led innovations and research with national agricultural priorities.
• Enhancing communication channels between youth organizations and policymakers to support the EFSTN Pathway.
• Creating mechanisms for ongoing dialogue between youth and policymakers to address issues like climate adaptation and value chain resilience.

Participants also received training in monitoring and evaluation, focusing on defining metrics, milestones, and responsibilities to ensure that their initiatives remain aligned with evidence and policy.

Establishing a Sustainable SPSI Ecosystem

The workshop concluded with a commitment to incorporate SPSI practices into Ethiopia’s food systems governance framework. This involves integrating youth-led action plans within the EFSTN national implementation strategy, establishing a follow-up mechanism between ATI and the WFF Ethiopia Chapter, and documenting Ethiopia’s experience as a model for other nations pursuing similar transformations.

Fostering the Next Generation of Food Systems Leaders

The SPSI Inception Workshop is a landmark event in Ethiopia’s journey to empower its future food systems leaders. By integrating youth into the policy-making process and aligning their innovative ideas with scientific research and institutional backing, Ethiopia is setting a new standard for transformative strategies.

As Dr. Nicole de Paula from the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub remarked, collaboration is essential: “No single actor can transform a food system alone. The synergy between governments, scientists, communities, and youth will drive vital changes.”

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, along with its partners, is poised to support Ethiopia in its efforts to enhance national coordination, stimulate youth-driven innovation, and further advance the EFSTN Pathway across the country.

For more information on the future of sustainable food systems and youth engagement, visit the UN Food Systems Hub.