World Food Program USA Zero Hunger Generation Youth Advisory Board 2026 | Volunteer Leadership Opportunity for High School, University & Early Career Youth in the United States

Applications are now open for the Zero Hunger Generation (ZHG) Youth Advisory Board, a national youth leadership opportunity organized by World Food Program USA (WFP USA). This exciting volunteer programme gives young people across the United States the chance to shape national youth engagement strategies, contribute to hunger advocacy initiatives, and collaborate directly with WFP USA staff to strengthen the Zero Hunger Generation movement.

The Youth Advisory Board is designed for passionate young leaders who are interested in food security, youth leadership, community impact, social advocacy, fundraising, and public engagement. Selected participants will serve as ambassadors for the Zero Hunger Generation movement while helping to expand youth participation in campaigns focused on ending hunger and advancing global food security.

For high school students, university students, and early-career professionals who want to gain national leadership exposure while building real-world advocacy and organizing skills, this opportunity provides a powerful platform for personal growth and meaningful impact.

About the Zero Hunger Generation (ZHG) Movement

The Zero Hunger Generation initiative is a youth-focused movement supported by World Food Program USA. The initiative seeks to mobilize young people across the United States to engage in advocacy, awareness-building, fundraising, and community action around the issue of hunger and food insecurity.

The movement empowers youth to:

• Raise awareness about global hunger
• Promote sustainable food systems
• Lead community initiatives
• Engage peers in social impact campaigns
• Support advocacy efforts connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Youth Advisory Board serves as a core leadership structure within the Zero Hunger Generation ecosystem.

What is the Youth Advisory Board?

The ZHG Youth Advisory Board is a volunteer leadership body that works directly with World Food Program USA staff to:

• Strengthen youth engagement nationwide
• Support movement-building initiatives
• Expand national outreach efforts
• Develop youth-led campaigns and programmes
• Promote innovative ideas for advocacy and engagement

Board members play an important role in shaping how young people participate in WFP USA initiatives and national hunger-related conversations.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Youth participation in global development and humanitarian work is becoming increasingly important. Young people are often closest to the social challenges affecting their communities and can offer creative, innovative, and community-driven solutions.

The Youth Advisory Board helps bridge the gap between youth voices and institutional decision-making by:

• Giving young people leadership opportunities
• Providing direct collaboration with nonprofit professionals
• Creating space for youth-led innovation
• Encouraging peer-to-peer advocacy
• Building a national network of youth changemakers

Participants will gain exposure to nonprofit leadership, youth mobilization, campaign strategy, advocacy work, and public engagement.

Benefits of Joining the ZHG Youth Advisory Board

Selected participants will gain a wide range of leadership and professional development benefits.

1. Leadership Development Experience

Youth Board members will strengthen skills in:

• Leadership
• Advocacy
• Communication
• Event planning
• Public speaking
• Community organizing
• Team collaboration

These experiences can significantly enhance future academic and career opportunities.

2. National Visibility

Participants may receive recognition and exposure through:

• ZHG campaigns
• WFP USA platforms
• National youth engagement initiatives
• Public events and outreach activities

This visibility can help participants build strong leadership profiles and expand professional networks.

3. Direct Collaboration with WFP USA Staff

Members will work closely with World Food Program USA staff on:

• Campaign planning
• Youth outreach
• Programme development
• Advocacy initiatives
• National engagement strategies

This provides valuable exposure to nonprofit and international development work.

4. Advocacy and Policy Exposure

Participants will engage with:

• Hunger-related advocacy
• Youth-driven campaigns
• Awareness initiatives
• Community-based solutions

This experience is especially valuable for students interested in:

• Public policy
• International relations
• Humanitarian work
• Social justice
• Community development

5. Event Leadership Opportunities

Board members will have opportunities to:

• Host virtual events
• Lead discussions
• Facilitate youth engagement activities
• Coordinate community initiatives

6. Networking Opportunities

Participants will connect with:

• Youth leaders nationwide
• Advocacy professionals
• Nonprofit experts
• Community organizers
• Fellow changemakers

Roles and Responsibilities of Youth Advisory Board Members

Selected Youth Advisory Board members are expected to actively contribute throughout the programme term.

Responsibilities include:

Attend Biweekly Meetings

Participants must:

• Attend recurring virtual meetings
• Commit to approximately 60-minute sessions
• Participate consistently throughout the one-year term

Lead Youth Engagement Activities

Members will:

• Host or lead at least one virtual ZHG event
• Contribute ideas for campaigns and activities
• Support movement-building initiatives

Support National Recruitment Efforts

Participants will help:

• Expand the ZHG network nationwide
• Recruit new youth participants
• Promote youth engagement opportunities

Lead Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Members are expected to:

• Organize fundraising activities
• Promote awareness campaigns
• Mobilize community participation

Serve as ZHG Ambassadors

Participants will represent WFP USA within:

• Schools
• Universities
• Youth communities
• Local organizations
• Social media platforms

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all the following eligibility criteria.

1. Be an Active Member of Zero Hunger Generation

Applicants must already be active members of the Zero Hunger Generation initiative.

Individuals who have not yet joined can sign up HERE

2. Be in Specific Academic or Career Stages

Eligible applicants include individuals who are:

• High school students
• University students
• Early-career professionals

3. Commit to the Programme Term

Applicants must:

• Be available for a one-year term
• Attend recurring virtual meetings consistently

4. Have Parental Consent (If Under 18)

Applicants below 18 years old must:

• Obtain parental consent before participation

5. Be Based in the United States

Applicants must:

• Reside in the United States
• Be legally eligible to participate in volunteer activities with a U.S.-based nonprofit organization

Importantly:

• Employment authorization is not required

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by WFP USA staff using a structured assessment process.

Candidates will be assessed based on:

Commitment to WFP USA’s Mission

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Passion for addressing hunger
• Interest in advocacy and youth engagement
• Commitment to social impact

Leadership Potential

Reviewers will evaluate:

• Initiative
• Creativity
• Communication skills
• Leadership qualities
• Professionalism

Engagement in ZHG Activities

Applicants with prior involvement in:

• Youth engagement
• Community service
• Advocacy
• Volunteerism
  may have an advantage.

Ability to Implement Ideas

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Problem-solving abilities
• Action-oriented thinking
• Organizational skills
• Campaign or project ideas

Selection Process

The selection process involves several stages.

Stage 1: Written Application Review

Applications will first undergo detailed evaluation.

Stage 2: Initial Virtual Interview

Shortlisted candidates will participate in:

• A virtual interview with WFP USA staff

Stage 3: Final Virtual Interview

Finalists will proceed to:

• A second interview round

Successful candidates will then receive final selection notifications.

Application Question Example

Applicants are asked to provide thoughtful responses to leadership-related prompts such as:

“Please suggest one new ZHG activity, incentive, or campaign that would excite young people.”

This allows evaluators to assess creativity, innovation, and understanding of youth engagement.

Time Commitment

Participants should be prepared for:

• Biweekly virtual meetings
• Event participation
• Community outreach
• Campaign support
• Leadership responsibilities

The programme is designed for young people who can actively contribute while balancing academics or early career commitments.

Is the Opportunity Paid?

No. The ZHG Youth Advisory Board is a voluntary and unpaid leadership opportunity.

However, participants gain:

• Leadership experience
• National exposure
• Advocacy training
• Networking opportunities
• Professional development
• Real-world nonprofit engagement experience

These benefits can significantly strengthen future scholarship, internship, fellowship, university, and career applications.

Why Young People Should Apply

This opportunity is ideal for youth who want to:

• Build leadership skills
• Advocate for social causes
• Gain nonprofit experience
• Engage in national campaigns
• Develop professional networks
• Contribute to ending hunger
• Represent youth voices nationally

The experience can also help participants prepare for future careers in:

• International development
• Public policy
• Humanitarian affairs
• Community leadership
• Nonprofit management
• Advocacy and communications

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the Official Online Application Form provided by World Food Program USA.

Applicants should prepare:

• Personal information
• Leadership experiences
• Responses to written questions
• Community involvement examples

Click HERE to learn more about the World Food Program USA Zero Hunger Generation Youth Advisory Board 2026.

Conclusion

The World Food Program USA Zero Hunger Generation Youth Advisory Board is an outstanding leadership opportunity for ambitious young changemakers in the United States.

By joining the programme, participants gain direct exposure to national advocacy work, youth organizing, leadership development, and social impact initiatives while helping shape the future of youth engagement around hunger and food security.

For young leaders passionate about creating meaningful change, this programme offers a unique opportunity to build experience, amplify youth voices, and contribute to a national movement focused on ending hunger.

Discover more global opportunities on OFY HERE.