International Youth Network for Food Security & Sovereignty
In 2011, CAN established the Youth Network for Food Security & Sovereignty (FSS) to promote a model of community youth leaders as the primary conduits for food system transformation. Since 2011, CAN has expanded its FSS initiatives, and consequently the Youth Network, into two more coffee growing regions in Nicaragua and México; a Maya region in México; and urban youth from Watsonville, CA.

Visiting a seedbank at Cooperativa Las Cañadas in Veracruz, Mexico.
Networking and training of youth leaders across these initiatives deepens knowledge and capacity, engenders beneficial exchange and strengthens innovation within each of the associated communities. The Youth Network has had four annual exchanges and two regional exchanges. In these exchanges, youth leaders have expressed a strong desire to expand the network to more youth, receive more training in agroecology, and build stronger national and international youth platforms for knowledge exchange and advocacy of strategies to achieve food sovereignty.
History
Intercambio came about as a result of a study conducted by one of CAN’s researchers in 2011. After discussion among project managers, it was determined that youth leaders from the projects needed to be included in the annual project meetings if the network was to grow and be sustainable. The youth also would benefit from meeting one another and learning from the exchange of experience, skills, and friendship.

Youth Leaders at CAN’s 5th Annual Youth Exchange in Santa Cruz, CA.
Structure
Each year a planning committee comprised of CAN and the partner host organization carefully plans the Intercambio. They use evaluations from the previous year and contact different members of CAN’s Youth Network to gather input on themes and topics to be covered that year.

Youth leaders at CAN’s 6th Intercambio in Nicaragua discussing action plans for the year.
Thematic workshops and knowledge exchanges are developed to improve skills needed to strengthen food security and sovereignty in their communities including food processing, preservation, and grey water reuse systems. The aim of this work is to strengthen the structure and functioning of the Youth Network; improve youth leadership capacity to support food security and sovereignty in their communities; strengthen ties across CAN and Youth Network partner organizations; and, exchange skills and knowledge between network members.
International Exchanges
- Strengthen structure and functioning of the Youth Network.
- Improve youth leadership capacity to support food security and sovereignty in their communities.
- Strengthen ties across CAN and Youth Network partner organizations.
- Exchange skills and knowledge between network members.
- Develop strategies for managing funds to support the development of the network.
Regional Exchanges
The result were detailed plans that included production calendars, market studies and marketing plans, logistical plans for transport and delivery of products to possible markets, marketing tools like logos, and budgets. In the case of Tabasco, the women’s group and UIMQRoo students working with them identified chile habanero and other garden produce as their main products, and the youth leaders from Veracruz built their business plans around patio eggs and garden produce.
Latest News
FoCAN’s Jessica Arciga’s Report from Intercambio 2015
FoCAN makes an invaluable contribution to Intercambio, CAN’s international youth exchange. In a blog posted on the FoCAN website, Jessica Arciga shares her experience as an Intercambio 20015 intern.
Intercambio was wonderful week spent among 17
“Restoring our Roots, Reclaiming our Labor” | 5th Annual International Youth Exchange for Food Security & Sovereignty
In February 2015, the Community Agroecology Network (CAN) held the 5th Annual International Youth Exchange for Food Security and Sovereignty —“El Intercambio”— in collaboration with its partner organizations in Mexico and Central America:
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