World Food Forum

What World Food Forum does

The World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent, non-profit global network founded in 2021 and hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It was conceived by the Youth Committee of FAO as a youth-led movement to transform global agrifood systems and accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The organization operates through three pillars: Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation, and the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, with a global footprint spanning 186 countries via national youth chapters in Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Mauritania, Indonesia, and others.

Its core offering is the annual WFF Flagship Event held at FAO headquarters in Rome (October 8-16 in 2026), supplemented by a growing portfolio of programmatic products including the Youth Innovation Lab (Startup Innovation Awards, Transformative Research Challenge, Youth Food Lab incubator), the Youth Education Programme (Young Scientists Group, Youth Skills Hub, Agrifood Leadership Education Programme), and cultural initiatives (Film Festival, art exhibitions). Supporting infrastructure includes a multilingual website (EN/FR/ES), a mobile application on iOS and Android, and a podcast series on Spotify. Technology is not proprietary; the WFF operates as a convening platform on existing infrastructure (Zoom Events for virtual participation, FAO-hosted web properties) rather than as a technology vendor.

The business model is non-commercial. The WFF explicitly charges no registration fees for any of its conferences, meetings, or programmes, and provides no scholarships or financial assistance. Operations are funded through partner support, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions from a network of UN agencies, governments, academic institutions (Wageningen University, Penn State), and private sector partners (Nestlé). Primary beneficiaries are global youth (participating in flagship events, innovation labs, and chapters), scientists and researchers (engaged through the Science and Innovation Forum), investors (matched via the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum), and policymakers (FAO member states and government officials). Revenue is not disclosed, and the organization is not a revenue-generating entity.

Name

World Food Forum

Legal name

World Food Forum

Website

https://world-food-forum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agrifood Systems Convening and Policy Platform

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Congresses (THAHAJAI), Agriculture, Farming & AgriTech Shows Organizers (THAHABAM), Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition Technical Assistance (BPADAEAG)

Keywords

• Agrifood systems transformation
• Youth engagement programs
• Sustainable food policy
• Agrifood investment forum
• Food systems convening

Headquarters

HQ city

Roma

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Conference/Event Services: The WFF does not charge registration fees for conferences or meetings. As an independent network hosted by FAO, it relies on partner support, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions from its network of UN agencies, governments, and private sector partners to fund operations and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The World Food Forum organizes an annual flagship event and accompanying year-round programs held at FAO headquarters in Rome (and online) that convene youth, scientists, innovators, policymakers, and investors around three pillars: Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation, and Hand-in-Hand Investment. It delivers free-to-attend events, competitions (Startup Innovation Awards, Transformative Research Challenge), an incubator (Youth Food Lab), education programmes (ALEP, Young Scientists Group), and cultural showcases to drive agrifood systems transformation and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Product overview

The World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent global network hosted by FAO, serving as a premier platform to transform agrifood systems through three pillars: Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation, and Hand-in-Hand Investment. The core offering is the annual Flagship Event held in Rome, supplemented by the Youth Innovation Lab (with Startup Innovation Awards, Transformative Research Challenge, and Youth Food Lab incubator), the Youth Education Programme (including ALEP and Young Scientists Group), and Youth Culture initiatives (Film Festival, art exhibitions, gastronomy). The platform also operates National Chapters globally and maintains digital presence through mobile apps and a podcast series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global Youth Action: One of three pillars of the WFF, focusing on youth-led initiatives and action for agrifood systems transformation.
• Science and Innovation Forum
• Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum
• Youth Assembly
• Youth Innovation Lab
• Youth Education
• Youth Culture & Food Heritage
• Young Women's Empowerment
• Local Youth Action
• Youth Food Lab
• Startup Innovation Awards
• Transformative Research Challenge
• Youth Policy and Deliberation Challenge
• Global Youth Hackathon
• Young Scientists Group
• Youth Skills Hub

Products and services

• WFF Flagship Event Annual global platform held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, and online, bringing together youth, scientists, innovators, policymakers, and investors through high-level dialogues, innovation labs, hackathons, pitching events, exhibitions, and cultural showcases to drive agrifood systems transformation.
• Global Youth Action Initiative Youth empowerment and engagement pillar of the WFF that connects young leaders worldwide to shape agrifood systems transformation through capacity building, policy advocacy, and actionable solutions.
• Science and Innovation Forum Forum that convenes scientists, researchers, and innovators to share knowledge and drive innovation for sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
• Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum Forum that facilitates investment partnerships and matchmaking to accelerate agrifood systems transformation and sustainable development.
• Youth Innovation Lab Innovation ecosystem supporting youth-led startups and research through competitions including the Startup Innovation Awards, Transformative Research Challenge, and Youth Food Lab incubator programme.
• Youth Education Programme Programme equipping young leaders with tools and expertise to transform local agrifood systems through the Agrifood Leadership Education Programme (ALEP), Youth Skills Hub, Young Scientists Group, and Youth Policy and Deliberation Challenge.
• Youth Culture and Food Heritage Programme Programme celebrating and promoting diverse food traditions and cultural expressions through film festivals, art exhibitions, sustainable gastronomy events, and music activities led by youth.
• Startup Innovation Awards Annual global competition providing a platform for startups to showcase innovative solutions for agrifood systems transformation, with live finals pitch sessions at the WFF flagship event.
• Transformative Research Challenge Research competition that gives young researchers the opportunity to showcase innovative proposals for agrifood systems transformation to a global audience.
• Youth Food Lab Incubator programme supporting teams of young innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs developing solutions for sustainable agrifood systems.
• Young Scientists Group Network of young scientists that conducts research and publishes reports on digital technologies and youth engagement in agrifood systems transformation.
• Youth Policy Board Governing and decision-making body of the Youth Action Track that leads all WFF Youth Action initiatives and develops youth policy frameworks for agrifood systems transformation.
• WFF National Chapters Localized WFF chapters at the national level that implement transformative pilot initiatives and promote agrifood systems development at the local level, including in Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Mauritania, and Indonesia.
• WFF Mobile Application Official mobile application for iOS and Android providing access to WFF events, content, and resources for participants and youth audiences.
• WFF Podcast Series Audio content series exploring agrifood systems transformation topics through conversations and interviews with youth leaders and experts, distributed on Spotify.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,000+ attendees at 2024 flagship event; 65,000+ online visits from 186 countries
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO serves as the host organization for the WFF. The WFF is an independent network of partners 'hosted by' FAO. WFF flagship events are held at FAO headquarters in Rome. This is the primary institutional relationship enabling WFF's global reach.
• IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key UN agency partner in the Global Network section of WFF footer, indicating collaborative engagement on agrifood systems transformation.
• WFP Youth NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key UN agency partner in the Global Network section, collaborating on youth engagement in food security initiatives.
• UN Youth OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key UN agency partner in the Global Network section.
• IAEAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key UN agency partner in the Global Network section.
• ILO (International Labour Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on WFF side events regarding youth employment in agrifood systems, as evidenced by the 2025 Thematic Youth Assembly consultation.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key UN agency partner in the Global Network section.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key UN agency partner in the Global Network section.
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a key UN agency partner in the Global Network section.
• UN WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on WFF's Global Youth Action Initiative at UN Women Expert Group Meeting and Commission on the Status of Women events.
• Wageningen University & ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced collaboration plans aimed at empowering young innovators during WFF Transformative Research Challenge finals. Partnership focuses on innovation incubation.
• Future Food InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Cooperation Partner. Collaborated with WFF Italy Youth Chapter at Venice Climate Week on session titled 'Feeding the Future'.
• World Association of Girl Guides and Girl ScoutsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Cooperation Partner in the WFF network.
• World Wildlife FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Cooperation Partner in the WFF network.
• Penn State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned cooperation agreement with FAO to enhance collaboration on establishing Youth Food Lab North America, advancing youth-led innovation.
• Worldchefs (World Association of Chefs Societies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Young Chefs Programme, empowering youth to lead sustainable agrifood systems transformation through culinary education.
• AIESECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Cooperation Partner in the WFF network.
• One Young WorldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Cooperation Partner in the WFF network.
• Extreme Tech ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Cooperation Partner in the WFF network, supporting startup innovation.
• Thought for FoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Cooperation Partner in the WFF network.
• NestlécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted youth exhibition 'Empowering youth for sustainable food systems' during 2025 WFF flagship event with partner Goodwall, bringing together young changemakers.
• OCP FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized youth side event 'Youth training: From classroom to field for food system future' during 2025 WFF flagship event.
• General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with WFF Youth Initiative to curate art exhibition 'Portraits of the sea: Focus on sustainable fisheries' at FAO headquarters.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• FoodTank: Nonprofit focused on building sustainable food systems through research, events (including the annual Food Tank Summit), and global convenings of food leaders. Directly comparable to WFF in its convener role across agrifood stakeholders and emphasis on youth voices.
• Slow Food: Italy-headquartered global nonprofit advocating for good, clean, and fair food, organizing events such as Terra Madre Salone del Gusto. Comparable to WFF in mission, Rome-based roots, and event-led sustainable food systems advocacy.
• One Young World: Annual global summit convening young leaders across issues including climate, food security, and sustainable development. Directly comparable as a youth-led, event-driven, multi-stakeholder convening platform with sponsorships and global country representation.
• Thought for Food: Global youth-focused nonprofit that drives innovation and entrepreneurship in food and agriculture through hackathons, challenges, and a foundation-backed accelerator. Highly comparable to WFF given its shared youth-led, agrifood-innovation mission and partnership-style engagement model.
• Future Food Institute: Italy-based nonprofit working on food innovation, education, and culture, with programs like the Rome Sustainable Food Summit. Highly comparable to WFF given its Italian base, food-systems focus, cooperation-partner status, and education-led convening model.
• EAT Foundation: Nonprofit that connects science, policy, and business to transform food systems, best known for the EAT-Lancet Commission. Comparable to WFF as a science-and-policy food systems convener targeting global stakeholders and governments.
• AIESEC: Global youth-led nonprofit running conferences, exchange programs, and leadership summits. Comparable to WFF as a youth-led, event-driven platform; differs in being broader than agrifood, but mirrors WFF's distributed chapter model and global convening approach.

Others

• Global Food Banking Network: International nonprofit supporting food banks and food system relief across more than 40 countries. Thematically adjacent to WFF's agrifood and food security focus, but operationally focused on food rescue and hunger relief rather than youth convening.

Broad incumbents

• World Economic Forum (Food Systems Initiative): Broader global convener running initiatives like Food Action Alliance and food-related tracks within the Annual Meeting in Davos. Comparable to WFF as a high-profile multi-stakeholder food systems convener reaching governments and private sector, though less youth-led.

Emerging players

• Global Alliance for the Future of Food: Philanthropic alliance of foundations working on sustainable food systems transformation through grants, research, and convenings. Comparable to WFF as a multi-stakeholder food systems convener, though focused on funder coordination rather than youth activation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/World_FoodForum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about World Food Forum