• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) is organizing a short story contest in which it invites the agricultural sector, as well as individuals, institutions and organizations, to submit inspiring true stories about family farming.

• The themes must focus on biodiversity, climate change and resource management.

• Stories can be submitted in a wide variety of formats until July 14, 2025.

When you hear your neighbors' stories, you'll begin to tell your own. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is proposing something similar with the launch of a competition to compile stories about family farming that reflect how challenges have been overcome in the agricultural sector. The goal is to collect stories that serve as good practices and inspiration for the sector itself, within three areas:

• Conservation and restoration of biodiversity

• Adaptation to climate change

• Sustainable management of natural resources

The FAO defines "family farming" as family-based agricultural activities, whether in crop production, forestry, fisheries, pastoralism, or aquaculture, which is a fundamental part of rural development.

The competition is open to farmers, fishermen, foresters, shepherds, producers, technical specialists, civil society associations, organizations, universities, institutions, and other stakeholders in the agri-food sector. The call is open to individuals and organizations until July 14, 2025 .

For your submission, FAO provides a guide with detailed information on preparing the necessary documentation.

Inspiring stories

The aim of the competition is to collect stories that serve as a mirror and inspiration, highlighting how their protagonists have overcome the challenges inherent to the sector. As stated by the FAO, the goal is "to share and learn from the experiences of individuals and organizations that are driving positive changes to advance the agricultural sector toward greater sustainability. Around the world, there are thousands of stories of distinctive work, carried out anonymously by family farmers, including women and youth, in successful transitions toward more inclusive, sustainable, and fair food systems. These stories are based on the co-creation and sharing of traditional knowledge and innovations that are helping to make food systems sustainable, leaving no one behind . "

Ultimately, the aim is to highlight the human, cultural, and social dimensions of family farming, showing how this production model drives the transformation of agri-food systems. Therefore, the content must be based on reality and not fictional. It must also adhere to the themes outlined above, otherwise it will be discarded.

The selected stories will be shared through FAO's Family Farming Knowledge Platform , helping to inspire public policies, cooperation projects, and new narratives about the rural world.