
2025 Food Systems Innovation Challenge - Nature-based Solutions edition
In the quest to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security, the concept of Nature-based solutions in food systems is emerging. Amongst the growing recognition of the Nature-based solutions potential, nations worldwide endeavour to transform their food systems for a future of abundance and equity.
The Food Systems Innovation Challenge - Nature-based Solutions edition strives to cultivate youth engagement and entrepreneurship by actively involving young individuals in national efforts concerning socially and environmentally sustainable food systems.
The students in the challenge are provided with connections to influential stakeholders, access to high-level events and (knowledge) support from universities to transform their ideas into reality.
Through the challenge, students will not only gain knowledge but also valuable hands-on experiences. The challenge facilitates meaningful connections between students working across interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary fields.
Info sessions
All partner-universities organise info sessions on their campus (or hybrid). Check out the dates and places.
Partners
WUR (Wageningen University & Research) and NFP (Netherlands Food Partnership) jointly organize this challenge with a strong focus on building a partnership with universities from the global south and stronger connections to food systems transformation pathways in the different countries. The challenge aims to build a partnership with universities in the global south to support youth engagement and entrepreneurship in food systems transitions.
The challenge is supported by FFAR (Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research).
The Global Network of Lighthouse Farms is connected to the challenge as Knowledge Partner.
In Vietnam we partner with the Empower Youth4Food Campaign, Nuffic South-East Asia and the Embassy of The Netherlands
Participating universities
- Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Suriname
- Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh
- Esalq-USP, Brazil
- Kathmandu University, Nepal
- Lukenya University, Kenya
- Makerere University, Uganda
- University of Abuja, Nigeria
- University of Brawijaya, Indonesia
- University of Ghana, Ghana
- Various universities, Vietnam
- Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
- Wollo University, Ethiopia
Team formation
- The teams consist of 4 to 8 students
- It’s recommended to form a team of students with different disciplinary backgrounds
- Students can form mixed teams, meaning they can come from different universities (including universities that are not on the list of participating universities in this challenge)
- However, at least 2 of the team members should be from the participating university
- At least 2 of the team members should be on site of the project during the challenge period (April-September)
- Recent graduates are welcome to join the Challenge, though the graduation should not be earlier than academic year 2023/2024. With a maximum of 1 recent graduate per team
- Students that participated in one of the 18 selected teams in the 2024 challenge can not participate in the 2025 challenge
- We strive to complement each team with one or two students from Wageningen University & Research. They will work remotely together with the team and will be on top of the 4 to 8 students
The assignment
In this challenge, we ask student teams from the participating universities to work on a nature-based solution within the food system on a local level, addressing climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and biodiversity restoration, and thereby improving the quality of life. We challenge them to design a project plan and to implement it during the challenge period from April to September 2025. The projects should be feasible, sustainable, scalable, and have impact.
Registration
Student teams of the participating universities can register until 1 April 2025 by filling in a registration form and by submitting a Concept Note.
Information for Wageningen University & Research (WUR) students
As a WUR student, you have the option to participate either as part of a team or as an individual. If you’re joining as a team, all the information provided on this main page about teams applies to you. Alternatively, you can enter as an individual. During the registration process, you’ll have the chance to select your top three preferences for the university or country of the team you’d like to join and write a brief motivation. Keep in mind that you’ll be assigned to a team after they’ve been selected by their university, meaning you’ll join a group that already has a project concept in place. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and to act as a link between WUR and your team.
More info
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