Submission to SSJW Workshop 1

The Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work (SSJW) established Workshop 1 on systemic and holistic approaches to climate action on agriculture, food systems, and food security, to be held in June 2025. Ahead of it, YOUNGO's Food & Agriculture Working Group submitted its views on the workshop's desired outcome and suggestions for its format, questions, speakers, and themes, with support from IAAS, YPARD, World Animal Protection, Compassion in World Farming, Brighter Green, and ProVeg.

What YOUNGO Asked For

• At least one youth speaker, nominated by YOUNGO as the official Children and Youth Constituency, plus youth co-facilitation of World Café breakout groups.
• A dedicated space for youth-led innovation on the online Sharm el-Sheikh platform, recognizing remarkable youth initiatives in food systems.
• A 3-day workshop format combining expert and rights-holder presentations, country presentations, and World Café discussions rotating through thematic tables.

Three Core Themes Proposed

• Empowering Children and Youth in Food and Agriculture: climate finance for youth-led agricultural projects, and dismantling barriers like collateral requirements and limited financial literacy.
• Integrating Food Systems into NDCs and NAPs: covering both adaptation (co-created targets with youth) and mitigation (decentralized livestock production, sustainable dietary shifts, reducing food loss and waste).
• Agroecology as a Pillar of Sustainable Agriculture: prioritizing investment in agroecology research and aligning it with youth-led grassroots initiatives.

Read the Full Submission