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There is increasing recognition that young people in farming have an important role to play in meeting the challenges of food security. A rapidly growing body of evidence suggests, however, that small-scale farming is much less likely to attract young people than large-scale farming and the non-agricultural sectors. Using the results of studies conducted in selected European and African regions, we analyze the issues related to generational renewal in small farms. We find that young people tend to be more oriented towards developing businesses on their small farms, and nearly all believed that they could increase the production levels on their farms. We identify specific barriers to small-farm development: land access, low profitability and compliance with food quality and certification standards. We argue for targeted policy supports to enable formalized cooperation and innovation up-take.