Ecuadorian youth to present food system projects at FAO World Food Forum

Ecuadorian youth representatives Carlos Peña and Nu Amaru Sáenz will present local food system initiatives at the FAO World Food Forum in Rome from October 12 to 16.

Peña, from Manabí, will present a youth network focused on food governance. Sáenz, from the Chocó Andino region, will showcase an agroecological shop that connects local producers with consumers of naturally processed foods.

The participation is supported by Futuros Urbanos, a program that has benefited approximately 1,500 young people in Ecuador since 2024. The initiative focuses on community organization and participation in food policies, specifically targeting women and youth. This comes as projections suggest 2.6 million people in Ecuador could face food crises or emergencies between August and November 2026.