Agrifood systems are facing increasing shocks and stresses, which puts them under immense pressure. It is crucial to recognize that these systems must prioritize more than just food production and cannot separate factors such as food processing and distribution, if they aim to maximize nutrition fulfillment for all. However, these assumptions raise the question of whether we can produce efficiently to meet rising global demand while protecting the environment and communities inclusively and more sustainably. To achieve this, it is necessary to adopt practices that can make agriculture and forestry more efficient under limited availability of natural resources. The key challenge now is to transform current agrifood systems into more resilient, sustainable, equitable and accessible systems for all. Youth – including diverse groups such as rural youth, Indigenous youth, young women, among others – play a crucial role in strengthening inclusive policy environments for driving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. The first cohort of the Young Scientists Group (YSG) has highlighted four key enablers of youth empowerment: education, technology, science and policy. In the following report, the YSG examines these four enablers alongside five case studies and an interview, highlighting best practices and critical issues that need to be resolved immediately to achieve more sustainable agrifood systems. As the report explains, youth are better positioned as drivers and agents of change by advancing these four enablers, especially given their willingness to take risks and adopt new ideas.