The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF) recently participated in a two-day national workshop aimed at strengthening youth engagement in food systems development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Held from April 23 to 24, 2026, the workshop brought together key stakeholders and youth participants under the theme “Building St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Next Generation of Food Systems Leaders: Strengthening Youth Engagement through Science-Policy-Society Interfaces”. The sessions were facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation in collaboration with the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub.
The workshop focused on identifying practical and sustainable approaches to advancing food systems transformation, while placing strong emphasis on the role of young people in policy development and implementation. Participants engaged in discussions that highlighted both the challenges and opportunities within the national food system, including food import dependence, climate and disaster vulnerability, agriculture and fisheries livelihoods, nutrition and gaps in coordination.
ZHTF played an active role in the proceedings, contributing to key sessions across both days. On the first day, Programme Analyst Mr. Shafique Sam facilitated a plenary exercise titled “Understanding Food Systems Linkages and How to Connect the Dots.” The session encouraged participants to examine the interconnected nature of food systems and to consider integrated approaches to addressing national food security challenges.
On the second day, Director and Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Safiya Horne-Bique delivered a presentation on the National Youth Framework for Food Systems (NYFFS). Her presentation provided an overview of the framework’s role in strengthening coordination, enhancing youth participation, and supporting the implementation of national food systems priorities. The framework represents a strategic step toward ensuring that young people are meaningfully engaged in shaping the future of food systems in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
ZHTF’s participation in the workshop reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and supporting initiatives that empower youth. By contributing to knowledge-sharing and capacity-building efforts such as this, the organisation continues to play a vital role in advancing a more resilient, sustainable and food-secure future for the country.
