Call for Contributions: Youth and agroecology

Young people are leading agents of change in a world increasingly shaped by climate chaos, conflict, and inequities. From the streets to the soil, youth are at the frontlines of building and imagining radically different food systems.  Agroecology has become a vital tool in this struggle — a holistic approach that places community, justice, and autonomy at its core.

We are seeking stories, reflections, and insights from real experiences that explore the intersections of youth and agroecology. Whether you are working on the ground, building movements or engaging in policy work, we welcome your submission.

We invite you to reflect on the following questions in your submission:

On the role of youth

• What experiences or strategies have been effective in motivating youth to take action in (rural or urban) agriculture or to stay in rural areas, defying pressures to migrate to cities?
• How are youth actively transforming food systems in both rural and urban areas, and how are we redefining the role of young people in agriculture?

On visions

• What critical knowledge and practices are youth developing to challenge dominant agricultural systems and promote agroecology?
• What radical visions or guiding principles are young people using to shape agroecological practices that resist colonial and capitalist food system models?

On agency

• How is agroecology empowering the autonomy and agency of young women, and how are they reclaiming their role in food systems?
• What barriers do young people face in transforming food systems, and what actions or proposals exist to overcome these obstacles and for young people to become agents of change?

On intergenerational learning and movement building

• How is intergenerational learning between youth and elders happening in the context of agroecology? What powerful interplays exist between the traditional wisdom and memory of our elders, and new skills and fresh ideas of our youth?
• How do young people position themselves within the agroecological movement, and what are the most impactful lessons from youth-led movements for food sovereignty? How are young LGBTQI+ people shaping the movement for agroecology and healthy food?

How to submit your contribution

We invite you to submit a summary of your article between 250 and 500 words before 15 November 2025. If your proposal is selected, you will be invited to write a longer article. We are looking for two types of contributions:

• Grounded story: These articles detail lessons learned from grassroots experiences and reflect on their broader relevance. What did you do? What worked (or didn’t)? And why (or why not)? What are your recommendations?
• Opinion/perspectives: These articles present an innovative analysis or proposals for the future, also based on concrete experiences.

Other cultural expressions, such as poems or photostories, are also welcome.

We will prioritise contributions from authors who have been directly involved in the experience. We aim to present a balance between practical knowledge and academic contributions, and across geographies. Writing experience is not required: our editors will provide full support.

If your contribution is selected, you will be asked to provide photos and other illustrations to support it.

Submit your summary (in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French), including your name, organisation (if relevant), and country, through this form.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at rooted@cultivatecollective.org.

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