Opportunities

Hackathon is an innovative event where teams with creativity and expertise create solutions for specific issues and challenges in a collaborative environment. The outcome may be an ICT tool, software, app, sustainable product, business model, or other solution. This may lead to the inception of a start-up business or project. Having brought together people from all walks of life who don't usually work together, this environment comprising of hackers can explore practical and innovative solutions to solve food and agricultural problems.

This #YouthforFLW Hackathon 2022 aims to evoke the creativity and problem-solving nature of young people to improve global food security by adopting innovative and inclusive methods with the sense of "New Technology, New Pattern, and New Service".

Key Initiatives include: 

1. Build a global network focused on the whole chain of food loss and waste reduction with frontline executives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts; identify innovative opportunities and create an enabling environment through public and private sector cooperation.
2. Share cutting-edge information, innovative technologies, and business models to reduce FLW.
3. Provide ongoing support to young creators during and after the events through the efforts of FAO, CAAS, and other partners, thus empowering all hackers to solve relevant problems.

 Goals

1. United Nations Food Systems Summit initiatives to be undertaken, contributed to, and promoted i.e. the concept of food loss reduction.
2. Young people enthused to participate in agriculture, promote food security and reduce food loss and waste.
3. Explore innovative approaches complimenting the slogan "New technology, new pattern, new service".
4. Build an international exchange platform in food loss reduction which cultivates young talent.

 Instructions for Participation

-Topics and Targeted Spheres 

#YouthforFLW Hackathon 2022 focuses on the whole agricultural value chain, including production, transportation, storage, processing, and consumption, to reduce food loss and waste through the application of: 

• Production technology (including planting, breeding, etc.)
• Processing technology
• Logistics, transportation and storage
• Consumption and catering services
• Nutrition and health
• Information technology for agricultural Internet of Things
• Agricultural machinery and equipment

 - Tournament Rules 

#YouthforFLW Hackathon 2022 is open to all creators that can contribute towards a reduction in food loss and waste. Team members would ideally be between 18 and 40 years old, of any nationality, with participating economies across the world. Current students may have their mentors as part of the project team. However, the application form must highlight their mentor's role in the project. Please be noted that all proposals and presentations shall be conducted in English.

This Hackathon will be divided into three stages to achieve practical and feasible innovative solutions: preliminary selection, training session, and final competition 

1. Preliminary Selection

Participating teams set their topics, build their teams, and submit all application materials.

The committee will evaluate the applications and shortlist them in accordance with the theme of "New technology, new pattern, new service", followed by a public announcement. 

2. Training Session 

The organizers will provide training to shortlisted teams, including:

-Professional training: recommendations of relevant experts to each team according to the technology/core product involved in the project.

-Presentation training: training on PowerPoint production and presentation skills to each team so they may conduct presentations more professionally. 

3. Final Competition 

The Final competition will be conducted online and offline due to the epidemic prevention measures. Each team should have a complete and refined presentation and be able to defend their proposal, to participate in the final competition.

 Timeline and Key Points

• 1 June - 15 August: Application phase
• 15 August – 30 August: Preliminary selection
• 30 August: Public shortlisting
• October: Training Session
• November: Final Competition

Note: These dates are subject to change due to a number of factors. All participants are requested to seek current information released by the organizers through the platform or contact details provided.

Entry Requirements

1. Participants will form teams of 2-5 people depending on the needs of their projects. 

2. The team lead must be below 40 years old. 

3. Awards are given on a project and team basis. An ideal team should have the following professional background or competencies.

• Practice/experience related to agriculture and food loss reduction.
• Information technology/software engineering/data engineering.
• Project management.
• Marketing/New Media Communications.

We encourage teams to be inclusive and create equal opportunities for all, including women, to take key roles in the team. We support interdisciplinary teams to take advantage of their knowledge and skills to offer innovative solutions grounded in practicality.

Application Materials

Please complete the application as a team, and send the requested materials to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and CC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Scan the QR code in the image below for access. 

Application deadline: 15 August 2022, 23:59 (GMT+8, Beijing Time) 

1. Application form (scan the QR code below for access)
2. Innovative solution for reducing food loss and waste with materials and templates (scan the QR code below for access).

1. Project proposal in Word format, not exceeding 15 pages, with the main text in Times New Roman, font size 12, double-spaced, and demonstrative pictures, information, guide, and tables.
2. PowerPoint presentation based on the above proposal, which should not exceed 20 slides.
3. The innovative solution shall cover:

• Summary of the solution (Introduce the team's ideas and what contributions will they make on reducing food losses and waste? Up to 250 words)
• Problem identification (Analysis of challenges relating to Food Loss and Waste)
• Mission, vision, values of the project (the type of agriculture activity/sub-sector targeted)
• Technical model (How to address the challenges relating to Food Loss and Waste?)
• Timing justification (Why is this moment the best time?)
• Business plan (Target group, the description of outputs and related activities, applied methods, partners, sustainability and consideration of gender)
• Financial situation (capital raised, capital needed, revenue analysis)
• Phased development planning (what is the potential contribution of your project 3 years later? How do you plan to achieve? What are the milestones?)

3. Video presentation (8 minutes)

• Introduce your team (1-2 minute). Name, role in the team, education, experience, and qualities or skills.
• Specify why your team should be selected by presenting the solution chosen by the team, ensuring consistency with the content of the PowerPoint (3-8 minutes).
• Upload the video online to a video sharing platform (YouTube, Google Cloud, Youku, Baidu Cloud or other platforms). Please share the link to the video in the application, ensuring it can be downloaded.

Awards and benefits for the Participants

• A generous cash prize and a certificate provided by FAO and CAAS.
• Comprehensive experience of an independent innovation and entrepreneurship activity along with partners who share the same values.
• Networking with other teams, UN agencies, CAAS, and partners in the field for future collaboration.
• Feedback and support from industry experts and mentors, and gaining valuable insight and ideas on strategic thinking on food security and reducing food loss and waste under the new paradigm.
• Inspiring workspace where perspectives from different cultural backgrounds are welcomed.
• Referral to pursue educational opportunities for graduate or Ph.D. degrees in CAAS, and preferential access to internships within the Center for International Agricultural Research (CIAR).

Host Organization

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Department of International Cooperation of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Center for International Agricultural Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD).

Supporting Organization

China International Communication Group, World Food Forum, Beyond the City, MODEL APEC.

For inquiries or more information, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and copy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.