Agrifood Leadership Education Programme (ALEP) 2026 – Apply Now

Application Deadline: January 7, 2026

Empower your journey as a leader in sustainable agriculture and food systems transformation. The Agrifood Leadership Education Programme (ALEP) invites applications for its 2026 cohort a fully virtual leadership incubator for young women aged 18–35 who are committed to driving gender equality and resilience in the global agrifood sector.
This programme combines structured leadership training, expert mentorship, and seed funding to help you develop and implement a community project that addresses local food and agricultural challenges.

ALEP is designed for emerging leaders ready to build practical skills, expand their professional networks, and create tangible impact in their communities. If you are passionate about sustainable food futures and eager to lead change, this is your opportunity to grow, connect, and act.

Programme Overview

ALEP is an initiative of the World Food Forum (WFF), a global movement led by youth to transform our agrifood systems. The programme is founded on the belief that empowering young women with leadership skills and resources is essential for building inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

The programme unfolds across three core phases:

1. Leadership & Skills Training: Participate in interactive virtual workshops covering topics such as project design, community engagement, advocacy, gender-responsive planning, sustainable agriculture practices, and communication for impact.
2. Mentorship & Project Development: Each participant is paired with an experienced mentor from the agrifood sector. With their guidance, you will refine your project idea, develop a detailed implementation plan, and prepare to apply for a project grant.
3. Grant Implementation & Network Integration: Selected participants receive a grant to launch their community project. Throughout implementation, you will remain connected to the ALEP network for peer support, continued learning, and opportunities to share your progress on regional and global platforms.

Programme Benefits

Participants in ALEP 2026 will gain:

• Leadership Certificate: Receive a certificate of completion from the World Food Forum, recognizing your commitment and newly acquired competencies.
• Project Grant: Qualify for funding to implement your proposed community initiative, turning ideas into action.
• One-on-One Mentorship: Gain personalised guidance, feedback, and support from an established professional in agriculture, food security, or sustainable development.
• Skill-Building Curriculum: Access a tailored curriculum focused on the intersection of leadership, gender, and sustainable agrifood systems.
• Global Peer Network: Join a dynamic community of like-minded young women from around the world, fostering collaboration and long-term professional connections.
• Visibility & Recognition: Showcase your project and leadership journey through World Food Forum channels, including potential presentation opportunities at WFF events.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for ALEP 2026, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Gender and Age: Identify as a woman and be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
• Education: Have completed at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Language Proficiency: Possess strong working proficiency in English (both written and spoken), as all training, materials, and mentorship will be conducted in English.
• WFF Engagement: Be an active member of a World Food Forum National Youth Chapter OR demonstrate a clear commitment to joining or establishing one in your country. (Find existing chapters or learn how to start one here).
• Commitment: Demonstrate genuine passion for and some prior engagement with issues related to sustainable agriculture, food security, rural development, or gender equality in food systems. This can include academic, volunteer, professional, or community-based experience.
• Project Idea: Come prepared with a preliminary idea for a community project that addresses a specific agrifood chllenge in your local context.

Application Process & Key Dates

1. Prepare Your Application: You will need to provide personal information, a statement of motivation, a description of your preliminary project idea, and details of your background and experience.
2. Submit Online: Applications must be submitted through the official World Food Forum application portal.
3. Selection: Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee based on leadership potential, project relevance, commitment to gender equality, and overall fit with the programme’s objectives.

• Application Deadline: January 7, 2026
• Notification of Results: February 2026
• Programme Start: March/April 2026
• Programme Duration: Approximately 6-8 months, including the training, mentorship, and grant implementation phases.

How to Apply

Ready to lead the change in your community? Complete your application via the official ALEP page on the World Food Forum website. Click here to apply.

For detailed information, programme FAQs, and the official application form, visit:
World Food Forum ALEP Page

Become a catalyst for sustainable food systems. ALEP 2026 is more than a training it’s an invitation to join a global sisterhood of innovators, advocates, and leaders committed to building a food-secure and equitable future for all.