The AfriFoodLinks project is calling for young food enthusiasts currently residing in Lisbon and Milan, who have a deep desire to change the way the world sees and consumes food.
The programme creates space for the voices of the youth, who have often been excluded from decision making, to share their perspectives on urban food challenges and opportunities, tell stories from the lens of those most involved in the everyday function of the city food system and engage in debate with decision makers in the space.
AfriFOODlinks Project
The project aims to improve food and nutrition security, while delivering positive outcomes for climate and the environment in 65+ Cities across Europe and Africa by:
– applying an urban food systems lens to promote shifts to healthy, sustainable diets,
– transforming urban food environments through real-world socio-technical experiments;
– promoting inclusive multi-actor governance to empower public officials, small businesses and
communities with ownership and agency to shape their food systems; and
– accelerating innovative, women- and youth-led agri-food businesses to support local value addition and inclusive economic participation.
The project aims to establish safe spaces where the food ambassadors and all project partners can promote the vision of fair and sustainable food systems in Europe and Africa, welcoming individuals of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and other social identities.
Food Ambassador Expectations and Benefits
Be part of a network of food system game-changers who will revive the interest in food in our cities and communities around the globe.
Responsibilities of the Food Ambassador:
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The Food Ambassador is expected to produce 3 stories per year:
The 3 stories can be in the form of a photo essay, or in the form of a video, to be agreed upon with the project coordinator. The story should be shared through Youth Ambassadors’ social media, using project hashtags, as outlined in the Food Ambassador Handbook. -
Host city-level activations with your networks and friends:
The Food Ambassador Handbook provides ideas of ‘activations’ that can be hosted to mobilise interest and collective action around an aspect of the city food system. You will be expected to host at least one in the 12 month period of the programme. These are expected to be low-input activities that draw attention to project ideas or food system issues. -
Social media sharing:
- Sharing key project messages, ideas, events and visions as contextualised to your city. You will be in touch with city partners (where appropriate) who will help guide about potential happenings, and can reference the Food Ambassador Handbook for ideas.
- We expect that you will use your own networks and reach to:
- Share details of upcoming city-level activations, and their outcomes
- Show real-time project activities or post activity reflections
- Share inspiration from people in the food system (i.e. food processor, chef, consumer, vendor)
- Share key messages of the project with relevance to your city
- Retweet/share project posts, particularly during campaigns
Food Ambassadors will be put in touch with organising partners, where appropriate, to ensure the success of activities.
If selected as a Food Ambassador, you will receive:
– Profiling as a food ambassador on media platforms hosted by the project partners
– An opportunity to be featured in the project podcast
– Exposure to decision makers and practitioners in your city and around the continent
– 1-1 meeting with your city mayor and/or officials where appropriate
– 3000 Euro stipend per annum over 12 months
Criteria for the Food Ambassador:
– Age: 18-30
– Location: Milan and Lisbon (and will be based in the city until at least February 2026)
– This project fosters the collaboration between Europe and Africa, targeting youth of both
European and African descent based in the host cities
– Proficient in either English or French
An interested and passionate candidate is sought for this role. Therefore, to be considered for the programme, the following skills need to be demonstrated:
– A passion for food, the environment, and cities
– A presence on social media and proof of regular engagement on at least one of the following
platforms (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube)
– Proven ability to creatively convey information (written, spoken, images, performance)
– Innovative and able to think outside the box
– The ability to engage and connect with different groups of people
The Food Ambassador selection will take into consideration balance in gender diversity and ensure inclusivity and representation of the African Diaspora in Europe.
How to apply
Interested applicants should to submit the following:
– a video no longer than 1 minute and 30 seconds explaining what makes your city’s food system
unique
– a motivation of 200-300 words of why you should be the next food ambassador
These should be submitted through the Food Ambassador application form: GFORM
Applications Close 31 January 2025, 17h00, CET
Successful applicants will be notified by 20 February 2025
Dates of ambassadorship:
1 March 2025 – 28 February 2026 or 12 months from date of signature
The project coordinator (ICLEI Africa) reserves the right not to appoint a food ambassador in raltion to this terms of reference.
For more information on ICLEI Africa and AfriFOODLinks see: www.afrifoodlinks.org
Questions can be directed to:
Sara Nakalila (she/her)
Email: sara.nakalila@iclei.org
Tashi Piprek (she/her)
Email: tashi.piprek@iclei.org
