A quick guide to the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development—what it is, what it is not, and how it brings donors together to align, learn, and strengthen the impact of investments in agrifood systems.
For the GDPRD’s working group on rural youth employment, new co-chair Leonard Mizzi (European Commission) joins Genna Tesdall, who brings the youth-led perspective of YPARD. With this "intergenerational" leadership, the group is shifting its focus from "process" to "purpose”.
The Donor Platform’s Rural Youth Employment Thematic Working Group is entering a new phase under Co-Chairs Leonard Mizzi (European Commission) and Genna Tesdall (YPARD). This next chapter focuses on ensuring rural youth are not only included, but empowered as partners and leaders in food systems transformation.
22 April 2026 | 8.30–9.45 AM (New York ET) / 14:30–15:45 (CET) | Hybrid: In-person and on Zoom. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD) are co-hosting a breakfast meeting at the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development (FFD Forum), as part of the Financing for Development (Fin4Dev) Dialogues. The session will examine how current trade and energy disruptions are affecting agrifood systems and what recent shocks have taught the global community about strengthening resilience.
This report captures key insights from the Donor Platform’s 2025 Annual General Assembly, hosted by the European Commission in Brussels. , The discussions focused on how development partners can continue to support agrifood systems effectively in a changing landscape.
In a time of shrinking aid budgets and growing geopolitical fragmentation, financing agrifood systems requires stronger coordination and catalytic action. The 2025 Annual Report shows how the Global Donor Platform helped move the agenda forward — from convening donors to shaping the global debate on financing agrifood systems.
The GDPRD has adopted a new Strategy and Approach Paper for 2026–2030, providing a strategic framework to guide the Platform’s priorities, coordination, and decision-making in a rapidly evolving global development environment.
The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development is a vibrant partnership, advocacy and knowledge network of key donors focusing on food security and rural development.
Secretariat hosted at the International Fund for Agricultural Development
Via Paolo di Dono 44, 00142 Rome, Italy
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