Youth Take Lead In Nature-Based Food System Solutions

In this context, the 2025 Food Systems Innovation Challenge - Nature-based Solutions edition invites student teams from 12 countries to co-create and implement NbS projects tailored to their local realities. Organised by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), the challenge aims to nurture entrepreneurial thinking and hands-on learning among future food system leaders.

Now in its second year, the challenge has grown in scope and recognition. With 12 participating universities, including institutions from Uganda, Brazil, Indonesia, and Ethiopia, the initiative reflects a growing appetite for real-world, interdisciplinary learning. According to Troost, "What excites me most is that after just one year, we already see a change in the universities involved. More are embracing challenge-based learning, and we've had more applications this year. It's becoming a true network."

Bridging Generations with New Perspectives

One of the core goals of the challenge is to bridge generational divides in how food systems are understood and improved. Supervisors supporting the student teams have observed striking differences in how younger generations approach longstanding problems.

In Uganda, John Edison from Makerere University notes that youth bring unique advantages to food systems transformation: "As generations change, new tools, perspectives, and skills emerge. Engaging young people allows interventions to tap into these resources." He adds that students tend to adopt sustainable interventions more readily, as these often align with their lifestyles and values.

Edison's own experience working with a team on vegetable dehydration has highlighted this generational shift. While older consumers expressed hesitation, preferring fresh produce from the garden, students recognised the convenience, longer shelf life, and reduced waste benefits of the innovation, especially in urban settings.

Revitalising Farming with Innovation

Similar dynamics are playing out in Indonesia, where students from University of Brawijaya are exploring unconventional approaches to farming challenges. Supervisor Dr. Uma Khumairoh emphasises the urgency of involving young people in shaping future food systems.

Khumairoh sees students as a vital force in revitalising ageing food systems. With broader access to knowledge and technology, they're able to bring new life to farming. "They often implement approaches that are not conventional, but are considered attractive and innovative," she says. "They bring their youthful breath to revive and save the ageing farming to be alive and vibrant."

Real-World Learning, Local Impact

What sets this challenge apart is its emphasis on implementation, not just ideas. Over the course of six months, student teams work closely with stakeholders to bring their projects to life, applying NBS in practical, community-driven ways.

In Ethiopia, the team Mushroom Organic, Mysteries and Golden Food is combining science, tradition, and sustainability to promote organic mushroom farming. Team member Desye Melese shares: "We were motivated by the urgent need to create sustainable, nutrient-rich food systems that also support local economies." The project is designed to enhance food security while building income opportunities.

For Açaí Boosters in Suriname, the challenge offers a unique platform to explore food innovation while stepping outside their comfort zones. Their idea: turning açaí into yogurt to enhance local processing and value addition. "We're especially excited about the combination of online learning and hands-on fieldwork," they wrote, "which allows us to grow as a team while working on something that could genuinely benefit communities in Suriname."

Both teams emphasise how powerful it has been to work with peers from different countries and disciplines. "Every conversation offers new perspectives and fresh ideas," the Açaí Boosters noted. "It challenges us to think beyond our usual frameworks and focus on solutions that are meaningful and inclusive."

A Global Challenge, Rooted in Local Realities

The Food Systems Innovation Challenge is made possible through a network of international and local partners. Alongside WUR and NFP, the initiative is supported by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and University Fund Wageningen. In Vietnam, partners also include Empower Youth4Food, Nuffic South-East Asia, and the Embassy of the Netherlands. The Global Network of Lighthouse Farms serves as a knowledge partner.

Each student team is asked to design a nature-based project that addresses climate adaptation, biodiversity restoration, and social wellbeing, while being feasible, scalable, and grounded in local conditions. Throughout the process, they receive guidance from experts, connect with real stakeholders, and collaborate across borders.

As the challenge unfolds, it continues to do more than spark ideas. It lays the foundation for a generation of globally minded, locally active food system changemakers.