TechnoServe Statement on International Youth Day: Invest in Young People as Leaders to Transform Local Agri-Food Systems
The senior director for the Global Practice for Women and Youth highlights TechnoServe’s work to help young people build skills to transform agri-food systems on International Youth Day 2025.
ARLINGTON, VA (August 12, 2025)– Today, on International Youth Day, Cristina Manfre, TechnoServe’s senior director for the Global Practice for Women and Youth, issued the following statement to mark this important milestone:
“This year’s theme—Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond—is a reminder that the ingenuity and drive of young people are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Across the world, youth are leading work that begins in their communities and resonates far beyond, creating impact that is both local and global.
“The new Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) confirms both the urgency and the opportunity before us. Nearly 85% of the world’s 1.3 billion youth live in low- and middle-income countries, where agri-food systems employ 44% of working youth and remain a critical entry point for economic participation. The FAO estimates that ensuring all youth have access to decent jobs in agrifood systems could add $670 billion to global GDP.
“TechnoServe partners with youth to develop the full spectrum of skills they need to succeed—technical expertise like business management, financial literacy, and digital innovation, as well as essential abilities like problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership. With access to markets, finance, and supportive networks, young people can grow their incomes, strengthen their confidence, and build sustainable livelihoods while helping to transform agri-food systems.
“In Rwanda, young entrepreneurs are pursuing market opportunities rooted in regenerative solutions for agriculture and beyond. In Ghana, youth leaders are working to make the tomato and other value chains both more sustainable and profitable by improving their business practices and adopting digital tools to support productivity. These efforts show the creativity, insight, and determination that young people bring to building inclusive economies and stronger societies.
“This International Youth Day, we join FAO in calling on governments, the private sector, and civil society to invest in youth as essential partners in fair, sustainable, and healthy agri-food systems. The potential is immense, and the moment to act is now.”
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About TechnoServe
Founded in 1968, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty for good. A non-profit organization working in around 35 countries, we work with people to build a better future through regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper.
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