Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab Pilot 2026: Fully Supported Program for Young Agrifood Innovators in Australia and the Pacific

Applications are now open for the Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab Pilot 2026, a transformative initiative designed to empower young innovators passionate about creating sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems across Australia and the Pacific region.

Led by the World Food Forum (WFF) Australia Youth Chapter and WFF Fiji Chapter in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) and regional partners, this two-month pilot program will support youth-driven solutions addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing modern agrifood systems.

The Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab will run virtually from 1 July to 31 August 2026 and is open to individuals and teams aged 18–35 who are based in Australia or the Pacific.

Application Deadline: 14 June 2026 (11:59 PM)

About the Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab

The Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab is part of the global Youth Food Lab network, joining similar initiatives already active in Europe, Africa, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Nepal.

The initiative aims to help young innovators develop impactful organisations and projects that improve sustainability, resilience, food security, nutrition, climate adaptation, and public health outcomes within agrifood systems.

Participants do not need to have a fully developed startup or organization before applying. The program is designed for people who may only have a problem they want to solve or an early-stage idea they want to explore further.

The initiative welcomes a broad range of project models, including:

• Startups
• Social enterprises
• Non-profit organizations
• Cooperatives
• Charities
• Community-led initiatives
• Early-stage impact ventures

Program Duration and Structure

The Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab Pilot 2026 will run over two months:

• Start Date: 1 July 2026
• End Date: 31 August 2026

The program is entirely virtual, allowing participants from different parts of Australia and the Pacific region to collaborate and participate online.

Weekly Commitment

Participants are expected to commit to:

• Two hours per week for online masterclasses
• One hour every fortnight for mentorship sessions

This structure makes the program accessible for students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders balancing other commitments.

What Participants Will Gain

The Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab is designed to provide practical support, mentorship, and international exposure for emerging agrifood innovators.

1. Develop Your Own Food Systems Project

Participants will work on a project that addresses a challenge within their local or regional food system.

Possible focus areas include:

• Sustainable agriculture
• Climate-resilient farming
• Nutrition and public health
• Food waste reduction
• Sustainable fisheries
• Food distribution and supply chains
• Community food access
• Indigenous food systems
• Agritech innovation
• Circular food economies
• Youth engagement in agriculture

Applicants may enter the program with:

• A problem they want to solve
• A rough idea
• An early-stage project
• A developing organization

The program emphasizes potential, creativity, and commitment rather than polished business plans.

2. Expert-Led Masterclasses

Participants will gain access to practical masterclasses led by experts in food systems, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

Key learning areas include:

• Systems thinking
• Partnership development
• Impact measurement
• Fundraising and financing
• Building sustainable organizations
• Community engagement
• Leadership development
• Social innovation
• Project implementation strategies

These sessions are designed to equip participants with actionable skills they can apply directly to their projects.

3. Personalised Mentorship

Each participant or team will be paired with a mentor aligned with their area of interest and project focus.

Mentorship benefits include:

• Practical guidance
• Strategic advice
• Industry insights
• Networking opportunities
• Accountability and support
• Feedback on project development

Participants will attend structured mentorship calls every fortnight throughout the program.

4. Showcase Event

At the end of the pilot program, participants will present their project ideas and progress during a showcase event.

The showcase is designed to:

• Increase visibility for participants
• Connect innovators with supporters and stakeholders
• Open pathways to future funding and collaboration opportunities
• Build momentum for ongoing project development

5. Access to a Global Network

Participants will become part of the international Youth Food Lab network, connecting them with innovators and changemakers across multiple regions worldwide.

This community provides:

• International collaboration opportunities
• Peer learning
• Networking
• Shared innovation
• Cross-regional partnerships
• Exposure to global food systems conversations

Mission of the Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab

The mission of the Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab is to equip young innovators with the mentorship, skills, and opportunities needed to create impactful agrifood solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative seeks to improve:

• Food security
• Nutrition outcomes
• Sustainability
• Climate resilience
• Public health
• Community wellbeing
• Agricultural innovation

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to individuals and teams who meet the following criteria:

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old
• Be based in Australia or the Pacific region
• Have an interest in sustainable and resilient food systems
• Be motivated to create positive impact within agrifood systems
• Be interested in building a new organization, initiative, startup, or project
• Be available to participate from 1 July to 31 August 2026

Ideal Applicants Include

The program welcomes applications from:

• University students
• Researchers
• Entrepreneurs
• Farmers
• Fishers
• Educators
• Community organizers
• Sustainability advocates
• Public health innovators
• Food systems practitioners
• Climate action leaders
• Social innovators

Both individuals and teams are encouraged to apply.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Food systems globally are facing increasing pressure from climate change, food insecurity, environmental degradation, rising costs, and public health challenges.

Young people across Australia and the Pacific are uniquely positioned to develop innovative, community-driven solutions that strengthen sustainability and resilience.

The Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab creates an important platform for youth to:

• Build practical solutions
• Access mentorship and training
• Collaborate internationally
• Launch impactful initiatives
• Develop leadership skills
• Contribute to the future of food systems in their communities

Application Deadline

Applications for the Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab Pilot 2026 close on:

14 June 2026 at 11:59 PM

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews before final selections are made.

Final Thoughts

The Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab Pilot 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for young innovators to transform ideas into meaningful action within sustainable food systems.

Whether you are a student exploring solutions to food insecurity, a farmer developing climate-resilient practices, or an entrepreneur building a sustainable agrifood initiative, this program provides the mentorship, knowledge, and global network needed to strengthen your impact.

Young leaders across Australia and the Pacific who are passionate about creating resilient and sustainable food systems are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline.

Learn More and Apply

Interested applicants can apply through the official application portal HERE.

Click HERE to learn more about the Australia-Pacific Youth Food Lab Pilot 2026.

Explore more global fellowship opportunities on OFY here.