Empowering Youth to Mobilize Resources for Agricultural Development: Highlights from YPARD’s Global Café Series

Between April 23 and May 16, 2025, the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) hosted a dynamic three-part Global Café Series focused on empowering young leaders with the knowledge and tools to mobilize resources in support of sustainable agricultural initiatives.

Designed as a practical learning space, the series brought together youth from across the globe to explore the funding landscape, refine their proposal writing skills, and develop strategies for building lasting partnerships with donors. Here's a recap of the key themes and insights from the sessions.

Sessions 1 and 2: Unlocking Opportunities: Resource Mobilization for Youth Leaders

In the first two sessions, participants delved into the fundamentals of resource mobilization, with a special focus on youth-led agricultural development. The discussions centered on:

• Understanding the Funding Landscape: Participants explored a variety of financing options including grants, sponsorships, crowdfunding, and innovative models designed to support agri-food systems.
• Proposal Writing & Pitching: Experts offered practical tips for crafting compelling proposals and delivering impactful pitches that resonate with donors.
• Financial Management: Effective resource handling was emphasized as a cornerstone for transforming agricultural projects and ensuring sustainability.

The sessions also addressed common barriers youth face, such as limited access to funding information and capacity gaps. Participants learned how to enhance visibility by documenting activities on platforms like the YPARD website and leveraging the wider YPARD network to share experiences and build credibility.

Session 3: Beyond the Grant: Sustaining Donor and Partner Relationships

The third and final session, led by Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management, Learning and Communications Cluster Lead at FARA, and moderated by Sussana Phiri, YPARD Zambia Country Representative, moved beyond initial funding to focus on the art of sustaining partnerships.

Abugri introduced five essential principles for building strong and lasting donor relationships:

1. Value Alignment & Mutual Benefits – Building partnerships on shared goals and complementary strengths.
2. Transparent, Story-Driven Communication – Using authentic narratives to create trust and deepen donor engagement.
3. Stewardship & Strategic Engagement – Prioritizing regular communication, accountability, and collaborative decision-making.
4. Co-Creation & Local Ownership – Fostering participatory approaches that empower local actors and solutions.
5. Innovation & Thought Leadership – Positioning youth as bold, visionary leaders in agricultural transformation.

This session encouraged participants to adopt a more strategic, long-term approach to donor engagement, emphasizing relationship-building as an ongoing process rather than a one-time effort.

Key Takeaways for Young Agricultural Professionals

Throughout the series, youth leaders gained critical tools and strategies to strengthen their role in the future of food systems. Key takeaways include:

✅ Proactively seeking funding opportunities by regularly mapping calls and submitting timely, well-aligned applications.
✅ Developing compelling, values-driven proposals that speak directly to the priorities of funders.
✅ Nurturing strong donor relationships through consistent communication and feedback loops.
✅ Harnessing storytelling and transparency to humanize agricultural impact and inspire continued support.
✅ Championing youth leadership as a driver of innovation and systemic change in agriculture.

A Call to Action for Youth

In her closing remarks, Genna Tesdall, YPARD Global Director, emphasized the importance of youth collaboration and strategic resource mobilization in reshaping global food systems. She highlighted that sustainable development in agriculture hinges on young professionals being equipped—not just with ideas, but with the resources and partnerships necessary to bring those ideas to life.

Final Thoughts

YPARD’s Global Café Series on Resource Mobilization was more than a training—it was a catalyst for change. By empowering young leaders with actionable insights, it laid a solid foundation for increased youth participation in agricultural development. As participants take these lessons forward, they will not only strengthen their own initiatives but also contribute to a more inclusive, resilient, and innovative global agri-food system.

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