Shape two important regional instruments.

It is a six-session virtual regional consultation convened to review, strengthen and validate two important regional documents:

• the Revised CAYAB Institutional Framework; and
• the Local Agriculture First Policy (LAFP).

Stakeholders across the Caribbean can contribute technical advice, recommendations and practical implementation perspectives before the documents are finalized.

The series is coordinated by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in partnership with the CARICOM Agriculture Youth Advisory Body (CAYAB).

It forms part of the project Supporting an Enabling Environment for Enhanced Youth Participation in the CARICOM Agri-food System, implemented with the CARICOM Secretariat, FAO and other regional development partners. The project is financed by the FAO Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU).

• Validate the revised CAYAB Institutional Framework.
• Refine the Local Agriculture First Policy.
• Gather technical and stakeholder recommendations.
• Strengthen regional ownership of the proposals.
• Identify implementation opportunities and challenges.
• Promote collaboration among regional stakeholders.
• Support meaningful youth participation in agrifood governance.

• Youth leaders and youth organizations
• Farmers and producer organizations
• Government ministries and agencies
• CARICOM institutions
• Regional and international development partners
• Academia and research institutions
• Private-sector and financial institutions
• Civil-society organizations and other agrifood stakeholders

No. Participation is free of charge, but advance registration is required.

Participants must use the official CARDI Webinar registration link. Once registered, participants will receive:

• a confirmation email;
• the Zoom meeting access link for the selected session;
• joining instructions; and
• Zoom reminder emails before the selected session.

Each session has its own registration link. Select the session or sessions you wish to attend in the registration section on this page.

All consultations will be hosted on the CARDI Zoom Webinar Platform. CARDI will provide registration, webinar hosting, technical support, recording and session administration.

The series consists of six weekly virtual sessions from August to September 2026. Sessions are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The detailed schedule will be included in the Participant Package.

Yes. Participants are encouraged to attend all six sessions to understand the development of both the Institutional Framework and the LAFP.

Yes. CARDI will record the sessions for documentation and reporting, in accordance with CARDI webinar policies.

Yes. Each consultation includes moderated discussion and a question-and-answer period where registered participants may contribute comments, recommendations and questions.

Recommendations will be:

• documented by the Rapporteur;
• reviewed by the organizing team;
• incorporated into the Validation Matrix;
• assessed by the technical drafting team; and
• considered when preparing the final documents.

No. Recommendations will be carefully assessed based on:

• regional relevance;
• technical merit;
• practicality;
• consistency with CARICOM priorities; and
• alignment with the consultation objectives.

• Consultation Agenda
• Briefing Notes and Session Background Papers
• Revised CAYAB Institutional Framework
• Local Agriculture First Policy (LAFP)
• Supporting reference documents

The LAFP is a regional policy proposal developed by CAYAB to strengthen local and regional agricultural markets by improving procurement systems, supplier participation, market access, logistics, digital systems and institutional coordination. The consultation will validate and strengthen the proposal before submission to the appropriate regional decision-making bodies.

No. The LAFP remains a draft policy proposal undergoing regional consultation and validation. Stakeholder feedback will inform its finalization.

The Institutional Framework establishes CAYAB's governance, mandate, membership, operational arrangements and accountability mechanisms. It is also undergoing stakeholder validation through the consultation process.

Yes. Participants who meet the participation requirements established by the organizers will receive an official Certificate of Participation following the series.

CAYAB Project Coordination Team
jeraddarville@bahamas.gov.bs

Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
www.cardi.org

Updates will be shared through official CARDI and CAYAB communications, registered participant email notifications, the CAYAB website and CAYAB social-media channels.