WUR Delegation Represents Youth Food Lab and Global One Health Prize at World Food Forum

Last year, after the Memorandum of Understanding between WUR and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) was signed, WUR and the World Food Forum (WFF) of the FAO announced a collaborative incubator programme called the Youth Food Lab, in cooperation with The International Association of students in Agricultural and related Sciences (IAAS). The aim was to give young people the opportunity to make food systems around the world more sustainable through innovative ideas.

Global Impact with Youth Food Lab

Ten teams consisting of young researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators working on food systems have been carefully selected for the first cohort of this new incubator programme, which began in February 2023. Throughout the year, the Youth Food Lab has helped 10 idea-stage solutions reach implementation and scaled up existing projects.

With mentorship from experienced professionals in the industry, bi-weekly masterclasses and personal guidance from, among others, Chief Scientist Ismahane Elouafi and Chief Economist Maximo Torero of the FAO, the Youth Food Lab members were able to develop the necessary skills to work out their ideas and to pitch them on the global WFF stage.

In-person Engagement in Rome

Supported by The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and Wageningen Ambassadors of University Fund Wageningen, one representative of each of the ten teams from Bolivia, Brazil, Italy, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sri-Lanka, Nepal and Indonesia was able to pitch their project in person in Rome. During this event, the representatives were able to engage with agri-investors and stakeholders in global food systems.

High-Level Networking Event at FAO

In cooperation with the World Food Forum, WUR and Marcel Beukeboom (Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations Organisations), a high-level Youth Food Lab Networking Event was organised at the FAO Headquarters. Marcel Beukeboom and Sjoukje Heimovaara hosted this Networking Event, where the youth teams got in contact with possible supporters, together.

Global One Health Special Prize within the Transformative Research Challenge

This special prize, co-hosted by at Wageningen University & Research and the One Health Division of FAO, was funded by ERRAZE@WUR. It focuses on the need for a global approach for the effective and balanced prevention of emerging infectious diseases and responsible crisis management. The goal is to encourage researchers to propose One Health solutions to minimise the risk posed by emerging infections that negatively affect animal, human and environmental health. Sjoukje Heimovaara was part of the jury.