Turn Classroom Learning into Real-World Impact.

A structured, fully supported and fully funded programme empowering students (ages 11–15) to translate learning into meaningful action.

Developed under the World Food Forum of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), CultivatED is a youth education programme that strengthens Action (PYP) and Service (MYP) through purposeful, student-led projects.

Focused on themes such as agrifood systems, sustainability, and climate action, the programme is designed to be flexible, adaptable and scalable — supporting not only IB frameworks but also broader approaches to service learning, global citizenship, and project-based learning.

Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO gave speech at World Food Forum 2025, FAO Headquarters, Rome

Many schools are looking for ways to:

• Elevating Service Learning: Moving beyond simple volunteering to design meaningful, high-impact projects across diverse areas.
• Empowering Student Voice: Giving student-led initiatives the structure and guidance they need to succeed.
• Bridging the Gap: Connecting classroom theory to tangible global issues like sustainability and agrifood systems.
• Operational Intelligence: Flexible implementation – from a pilot group to scaling across grades – is fully supported within an adaptable framework and resource model.

CultivatED is designed specifically to address these needs.

Now – June: Investigate & Understand (About 2 hours)

Masterclasses led by FAO experts to explore real-world agrifood systems challenges

July – August: Plan & Take Action (About 2 hours)

Fieldwork & Action supported by the CultivatED team to design and implement meaningful, student-driven service initiatives

September: Reflect & Demonstrate Learning

Regional School Assembly & Awards organized by CultivatED to share outcomes, evaluate impact, and celebrate student agency.

October: Global Impact

World Food Forum at FAO Headquarters, Rome (organized by FAO) to engage with international stakeholders and broaden impact.

The programme follows a simple, flexible structure grounded in investigation, preparation, action, reflection, and demonstration, enhancing existing Service as Action (MYP) or other school-based service learning initiatives.

Discover → Design → Develop

• Discover
  Students explore real-world themes such as food systems, sustainability, and global challenges through guided materials and activities.
• Design
  Students reflect, share ideas, and plan their own responses and initiatives.
• Develop
  Students implement projects within their school or community, applying what they have learned.

Through the programme, students:

• Engage with real-world global challenges
• Develop critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills
• Demonstrate impact through action
• Gain a Certificate of Completion

From school assemblies to global platforms: students share their work locally, connect internationally, and showcase selected projects through UN-supported channels.

• PYP & MYP at IB schools
• Schools committed to sustainability & innovation
• Educators seeking to strengthen student-led projects and real-world engagement