The Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL) is a growing global network and movement of over 60,000 young people working and studying in landscapes around the world. The Initiative is a partnership between the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA), Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), and Youth 4 Nature (Y4N) who joined forces to deliver workshops, mentorship, training and networking. Today, YIL has become a global movement of young people committed to living and breathing the landscape’s philosophy: collaboration, diversity, and collective action.
Whether online or in-person, YIL programs connect, support, and inspire young people to step into courageous leadership and bring positive change to the sustainability of their landscapes.
READ THE CHARTER
Our Vision
An inclusive and equitable world where people collaborate across boundaries, sectors and generations to achieve sustainability for our global and local landscapes.
Our Mission
To unite and empower youth aged 18-35 years, from diverse backgrounds around the world to have a public voice, and to create positive change for the sustainability of their landscapes and community livelihoods.
Our Values
Friendship, Holistic thinking, Intergenerational, Justice & Equity, Efficiency, Knowledge, Optimism.
The Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL) emerged from a youth event at the Global Landscapes Forum 2013 in Warsaw and since then has grown in its ambitions, through its programs and through permanent involvement in the GLF. In only seven years YIL has run comprehensive youth programs at each of the annual GLF events (Lima, Paris, Morocco, Bonn, Nairobi, Accra, Luxembourg, GLF Biodiversity), as well as at events carried out by other organisations (e.g. Forest in Asia 2014; Halting deforestation in 2018). Today, the YIL is governed by the organisations part of the steering committee – YPARD, IFSA, GAEA – as well as the Landscape Leaders alumni who participated in YIL programs.
Curious to know more?
Read the YIL CharterBecome part of a community that represents 60,000 people with the same vision for a healthier future, connect with youth from different backgrounds and share experiences, ideas and opportunities.
Subscribe to the mailing list to be the first one to know about YIL programs, and sharpen your skills by attending YIL global events.
Are you passionate about forestry, agriculture, agro-ecology, or Nature-Based Solutions? Become a member of IFSA, YPARD or Y4N!
Learn more about upcoming opportunities and different ways of getting involved with the Youth in Landscapes Initiative