Project Food for Thought started in 2024 and focuses on highlighting the fact that young people are the primary group affected by the food insecurity crisis and represent a decisive force in reversing the current situation. Addressing this challenge, the project seeks to encourage young people to come together and involve them in identifying and deeply understanding the root causes of food insecurity and consequently developing solutions to combat it.
The project brought together partners from France, Austria and Italy who will create an opportunity for young people to participate in week-long training in France followed by local actions in each country when these youngsters will be able to develop their own projects focusing on food security. Overall, young people participating in the project will learn:
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Project management and leadership skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Project planning and time management
- Civic engagement and social responsibility
- Communication and creativity
While the central theme is food security for the future, a significant component of the project also focuses on climate change and green skills development. Youngsters will explore how future food systems can be more resilient and climate-smart. Additionally, the project emphasises social innovation driven by young people, recognising their potential as future leaders. They will be invited to generate ideas and solutions that create social value and address current societal challenges.
Research on Food Security
The foundation of the Food for Thought project will be established through an in-depth investigation into food insecurity and the development of food security systems in each partner country. Throughout this phase, we aim to thoroughly understand the food insecurity challenge, examining its scope in each partner region and forecasting potential future developments. A key objective will be to identify the primary stakeholders impacted by the issue, including local communities and policymakers.
First partners meeting in Italy
The partners gathered for the first time in person on October 14-15 in Pianezza, Italy, to evaluate the project’s progress and plan future steps, particularly the upcoming training in France. Our host for the meeting was Ergon, a partner organization specializing in working with young people, especially those with hearing impairments, and helping them develop entrepreneurial skills. Throughout the two-day meeting, we engaged in many productive discussions.
What’s next?
Following the research phase, young people will have an opportunity to attend a week-long training in Clermont-Ferrand in France and participate in workshops teaching them about how to transform their ideas into project and take concrete steps into combatting the issue of food insecurity. They will also explore strategies for creating food security systems that meet the specific needs of their communities, ensuring that their approaches are both relevant and effective. Participants will also design prototypes of their food security projects, envisioning practical solutions that can be implemented locally to combat food insecurity and strengthen community resilience.
Project Partners
