International collaborations
Working together for global impact
The global challenges we face, from food security to climate adaptation, require collaboration across borders and disciplines. At Wageningen University & Research, we partner with organisations around the world to create knowledge, insights and innovations that deliver both scientific and societal impact.
Our international collaborations are built on equality, reciprocity and sustainability. We value partnerships that connect research excellence with practical relevance and ensure that joint projects contribute to our shared mission: to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.
A trusted global partner
With a long-standing history of international cooperation, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is a trusted knowledge partner in agri-food and environmental research. Together with universities, research institutes, governments, NGOs and private partners, we co-create solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
All our collaborations follow WUR’s principles of collaboration, ensuring academic freedom, research integrity, the safety of our students and staff, and respect for human rights. These principles guarantee that every collaboration supports open exchange of ideas and data, and contributes to sustainable development.
Africa
Intro
In many African countries, the agri-food sector is the engine for growth and poverty reduction. WUR collaborates with universities and research institutions across the continent to strengthen education and research capacity and support agricultural transformation. Examples of such collaborations are the CEA-FIRST and N2AFRICA. African WUR alumni play key roles as future leaders in this transformation.
WUR’s Africa engagement is based on subregions, such as the Horn of Africa, East-Africa, Southern Africa, West-Africa, Central-Africa, and Northern-Africa. The latter is considered part of the SWANA (South-West Asia & North Africa) region, and can be found below on this page :
- Central Africa: a region with important natural resources, including the Congo Basin forests and its biodiversity. The region is an important partner for the European Union, while it still underrepresented in Horizon proposals. The conflict affected region has many challenges, including deforestation, illegal mining and climate change.
- East Africa: A highly diverse area with large interests in agriculture and international trade. Climate change and food insecurity are major challenges as well as (violent) conflicts, high youth unemployment, and infrastructural challenges
- Horn of Africa: a sub-region of Eastern Africa, considered as one of the most vulnerable regions in the world, with long-lasting conflicts, climate change and food crises.
- Sahel region: a region, stretching from West to East Africa, that faces interconnected challenges of climate change, land and water degradation, food insecurity, poverty, and conflict. This requires integrated and locally adapted approaches to build resilient food systems and livelihoods. WUR is actively involved in several projects addressing these challenges in the Sahel, including Pro-ARIDES and Soil Values.
- Southern Africa: a diverse region susceptible for drought and floods, with high youth unemployment. It is an important trade partner for Europe
- West Africa: is an important (agricultural) trade region, with coffee and cacao, fruits and vegetables, making topics like horticulture, water management and climate adaptation highly relevant. The conflict affected Sahel region is special susceptible to climate change for its food security.
Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWRE), serves as a hub for WUR projects within Ethiopia. Read more about that under “Ethiopia Office (SWRE)”.
Contact
Intro
In many African countries, the agri-food sector is the engine for growth and poverty reduction. WUR collaborates with universities and research institutions across the continent to strengthen education and research capacity and support agricultural transformation. Examples of such collaborations are the CEA-FIRST and N2AFRICA. African WUR alumni play key roles as future leaders in this transformation.
WUR’s Africa engagement is based on subregions, such as the Horn of Africa, East-Africa, Southern Africa, West-Africa, Central-Africa, and Northern-Africa. The latter is considered part of the SWANA (South-West Asia & North Africa) region, and can be found below on this page :
- Central Africa: a region with important natural resources, including the Congo Basin forests and its biodiversity. The region is an important partner for the European Union, while it still underrepresented in Horizon proposals. The conflict affected region has many challenges, including deforestation, illegal mining and climate change.
- East Africa: A highly diverse area with large interests in agriculture and international trade. Climate change and food insecurity are major challenges as well as (violent) conflicts, high youth unemployment, and infrastructural challenges
- Horn of Africa: a sub-region of Eastern Africa, considered as one of the most vulnerable regions in the world, with long-lasting conflicts, climate change and food crises.
- Sahel region: a region, stretching from West to East Africa, that faces interconnected challenges of climate change, land and water degradation, food insecurity, poverty, and conflict. This requires integrated and locally adapted approaches to build resilient food systems and livelihoods. WUR is actively involved in several projects addressing these challenges in the Sahel, including Pro-ARIDES and Soil Values.
- Southern Africa: a diverse region susceptible for drought and floods, with high youth unemployment. It is an important trade partner for Europe
- West Africa: is an important (agricultural) trade region, with coffee and cacao, fruits and vegetables, making topics like horticulture, water management and climate adaptation highly relevant. The conflict affected Sahel region is special susceptible to climate change for its food security.
Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWRE), serves as a hub for WUR projects within Ethiopia. Read more about that under “Ethiopia Office (SWRE)”.
Contact
Ethiopia
WUR has a long term engagement in Ethiopia with over 600 alumni and over 150 research activities. The country is currently undergoing large-scale food system transformation and the country has a strategic importance for the Horn of Africa. The Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR Ethiopia), with on office in Addis Abeba, serves as a hub for WUR projects within Ethiopia. Examples of WUR’s activities in Ethiopia include the RAISE-FS programme, and the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP).
Contact
Ethiopia Office (SWRE)
Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia’s primary mission is to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems by fostering equitable access to sustainable and healthy diets, empowering local communities and smallholder farmers, especially women, and advancing climate-smart, environmentally responsible food system practices that enhance economic opportunities for all. SWR Ethiopia was established in March 2021 as an international NGO. Currently hosting several major projects, including RAISE-FS LOGIC, the Ethiopian Seed Partnership and TRANSFORM, SWR Ethiopia engages with public and private sectors, civil society, and development partners.
Read more about Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia in the downloadable profile.
WUR Ethiopia Office
Ghana
Ghana is a strategic country for WUR, where agriculture is central to the economy and where climate change requires innovative solutions. There are strong opportunities for research partnerships and supporting sustainable development in Ghana and the West-African region. Together with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), WUR is active in Ghana through the CocoaSoils programme.
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Kenya
Kenya is of strategic importance. Not only does it have strong universities and research institutions and host many international organisations, but it also has a strong presence of the Dutch private sector. The country is regarded as an innovation hub and gateway to the East African region. It faces multiple challenges related to sustainable food systems, water and climate, and biodiversity. Therefore, WUR is involved in projects such as REFOOTURE and INCiTiS-FOOD.
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Rwanda
The agricultural sector in Rwanda forms the backbone of the country's economy, supported by a strong government commitment to agricultural transformation and climate resilience. Although Rwanda is geographically small, it plays an influential role in Eastern and Central Africa, generating regional impact and serving as a hub for several key pan-African organizations and partnerships. Examples of ongoing WUR projects in Rwanda include CONNECT and Food Security Intelligence (FSI), both funded through the Wageningen Global Sustainability Programme, highlighting Rwanda's strategic importance as a platform for innovation and collaboration in sustainable food systems.
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South-Africa
South Africa is a key strategic country for WUR due to its leading economic position in Africa and its role as the Netherlands' largest trade partner on the continent. It is also the largest African partner when it comes to Europe’s Research and Innovation efforts. The country faces great challenges on climate, water and sustainable food systems, but also offers good opportunities for collaboration in bio-economy. An example of a WUR-led project in the region, involving South-Africa, is FoSTA-Health. WUR has exchange agreements with the University of Pretoria and Stellenbosch University, and collaborates with various other universities and research institutes in the country.
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Asia
Intro
Asia is central to WUR's international engagement strategy, bringing together some of the world's fastest-growing economies, largest agricultural producers, and most dynamic innovation ecosystems. At the same time, the region faces pressing challenges related to food security, climate resilience, water scarcity, biodiversity loss and sustainable resource management. The strategic importance of Asia is further reflected in WUR's recently established partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) seeking to accelerate the development and scaling of transformative solutions across Asia, addressing interconnected challenges related to food security, climate resilience and biodiversity loss.
Below overview outlines WUR's priority countries and strategic opportunities across Asia.
- South Asia is a strategic priority for WUR due to its large agricultural sector, fast‑growing economies and rising demand for sustainable, climate‑resilient food systems. The region faces major pressures from climate change, water scarcity, land degradation and shifting diets, creating strong opportunities for long‑term research partnerships, education, innovation and advisory collaboration.
- Southeast Asia’s rapid growth and increasing need for sustainable agricultural transformation, climate resilience and food systems innovation make it a key region for WUR. Its diverse agriculture, rich biodiversity and expanding innovation ecosystems offer substantial opportunities for long‑term collaboration in research, education, policy advisory and capacity strengthening.
- East Asia is WUR’s main region for advanced research and innovation partnerships. With leading research institutions and technology‑driven economies, it provides strong potential for deeper scientific cooperation, researcher mobility and joint solutions to complex food systems challenges, leveraging complementary strengths in agriculture, digital technologies and sustainability.
- Central Asia is gaining strategic importance as countries modernise agriculture, strengthen food security and build climate resilience. Growing investments in sustainable agriculture, water management and institutional capacity create new opportunities for knowledge partnerships, well aligned with WUR’s integrated expertise in agriculture and water, food systems and capacity development.
Contact
- Kalyan Guntuboyina (Asia)
- Xiaoyong Zhang (China)
Intro
Asia is central to WUR's international engagement strategy, bringing together some of the world's fastest-growing economies, largest agricultural producers, and most dynamic innovation ecosystems. At the same time, the region faces pressing challenges related to food security, climate resilience, water scarcity, biodiversity loss and sustainable resource management. The strategic importance of Asia is further reflected in WUR's recently established partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) seeking to accelerate the development and scaling of transformative solutions across Asia, addressing interconnected challenges related to food security, climate resilience and biodiversity loss.
Below overview outlines WUR's priority countries and strategic opportunities across Asia.
- South Asia is a strategic priority for WUR due to its large agricultural sector, fast‑growing economies and rising demand for sustainable, climate‑resilient food systems. The region faces major pressures from climate change, water scarcity, land degradation and shifting diets, creating strong opportunities for long‑term research partnerships, education, innovation and advisory collaboration.
- Southeast Asia’s rapid growth and increasing need for sustainable agricultural transformation, climate resilience and food systems innovation make it a key region for WUR. Its diverse agriculture, rich biodiversity and expanding innovation ecosystems offer substantial opportunities for long‑term collaboration in research, education, policy advisory and capacity strengthening.
- East Asia is WUR’s main region for advanced research and innovation partnerships. With leading research institutions and technology‑driven economies, it provides strong potential for deeper scientific cooperation, researcher mobility and joint solutions to complex food systems challenges, leveraging complementary strengths in agriculture, digital technologies and sustainability.
- Central Asia is gaining strategic importance as countries modernise agriculture, strengthen food security and build climate resilience. Growing investments in sustainable agriculture, water management and institutional capacity create new opportunities for knowledge partnerships, well aligned with WUR’s integrated expertise in agriculture and water, food systems and capacity development.
Contact
- Kalyan Guntuboyina (Asia)
- Xiaoyong Zhang (China)
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is an important strategic partner within WUR's South Asia portfolio, driven by its strong commitment to agricultural transformation and the pressing need to build resilience to climate change in one of the world's most densely populated delta regions. National priorities around climate-smart agriculture, water and delta management, dairy development, nutrition, food safety and inclusive value chains align closely with WUR's interdisciplinary expertise. Building on existing collaborations with government agencies, knowledge institutions and development partners, WUR is well positioned to expand its role through applied research, institutional capacity strengthening and strategic advisory services that support the country's transition towards more resilient and sustainable food systems. WUR has maintained continuous activities in Bangladesh through projects such as WATERAPPscale, the Dhaka Food System Project, and pilot initiatives carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the government of Bangladesh.
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China
WUR engages with Chinese partners through a balanced and mutually respectful collaboration framework. This approach emphasises reciprocity, academic integrity, and long-term partnership development, ensuring that joint activities deliver value to all parties involved. China’s substantial investments in research and innovation, combined with its large pool of high-caliber scientific talent, create significant opportunities for joint efforts to address complex, real-world challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as food systems, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.
At present, WUR maintains several large-scale joint PhD programs with leading Chinese institutions. Examples include the Agriculture Green Development PhD programme, the WU-CAAS PhD Programme in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, as well as Prof. Zuilhof’s research project which is supported by funding from a Chinese grant. Building on this solid foundation, WUR is seeking to intensify collaboration across multiple levels and dimensions. This includes not only expanded research cooperation, but also broader engagement in education and capacity building, such as enhanced student and staff exchange programs, and shared training initiatives. These efforts are designed to foster deeper institutional linkages and cultivate the next generation of globally minded researchers.
Contact
WUR China Office
The WUR China Office serves as WUR’s local presence in China, facilitating direct engagement with partners and enabling continuous relationship management and networking. In parallel, WUR’s official WeChat account functions as an accessible communication channel to share WUR research outputs and institutional developments with alumni and a wide range of Chinese stakeholders.
Contact
- Mr. Shenglin Ding - China Office Director
Address WUR China Office
Wageningen (Beijing) S&T Consultancy Services LTD
Room 605, Old Administrative Building, No. 12 of Zhongghuancun Nandajie
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian, Beijing, P.R. China
Email
wur.china@wur.nl
Publications
Access Chinese translations of WUR publications (or by scanning the QR code).
India
WUR has a long-standing and wide-ranging engagement in India, built through decades of research, education, capacity development and partnerships with national and state governments, development institutions, universities, research organisations and the private sector. For example, WUR supports the Government of Andhra Pradesh in the development of the Agroecological Institute for Circular Studies (AICS).As India transforms its agri-food systems, collaboration increasingly focuses on climate resilience, circularity, sustainable production, value-chain development and agricultural innovation, connecting Wageningen knowledge and science with the priorities of India’s rapidly evolving agri-food sector. WUR has also contributed to the Asian Development Bank-supported MAGNET (Maharashtra Agribusiness Network) programme.
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Indonesia
WUR has a long-standing engagement in Indonesia through research, education, capacity development, and partnerships with universities, government, industry, and farming communities. As a key anchor country in WUR’s Southeast Asia portfolio, Indonesia offers significant opportunities for collaboration across sustainable food systems, climate-smart agriculture, land and water management, dairy, horticulture, fisheries, and institutional capacity building.
Indonesia works to strengthen food security and agricultural productivity while safeguarding its globally significant forest, peatland, and marine ecosystems. WUR contributes to those goals by increased collaborations that are focused on sustainable production, climate resilience, technological innovation, and the efficient use of natural resources. Examples of such collaborative projects include SustainPalm, Smart Indonesian Agriculture (Smart-In-Ag), and Sustainable Food Systems in Indonesia, alongside a broad portfolio of research, education, and capacity-development activities. WUR’s longstanding strategic partnerships with IPB University and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) provide a strong institutional foundation for joint research, capacity strengthening, and policy-oriented innovation, supporting Indonesia’s ongoing agricultural transformation.
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Japan
WUR collaborates with leading Japanese research institutes, universities, government organisations, and companies to address shared challenges related to climate resilience, labour scarcity, sustainable food production, and the digital transformation of agriculture. By combining Wageningen’s integrated agri-food expertise with Japan’s strengths in science, engineering, and technological innovation, these collaborations contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
Japan is a key strategic partner for WUR, anchored by its longstanding collaboration with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO). The partnership brings together complementary strengths in agricultural science, food innovation, and advanced technology, creating opportunities for joint research and innovation in areas such as robotics, precision agriculture, plant breeding, food safety, and the circular bioeconomy. Beyond NARO, Japan’s world-leading research ecosystem offers further scope to deepen partnerships with universities, public research organisations, and industry, strengthening WUR’s position within one of Asia’s most advanced science and innovation landscapes.
Not only is WUR’s engagement in Japan reflected through initiatives such as the partnership with NARO, but also through research projects such as Transition To A Data-Driven Agriculture (TTADDA). Besides that, scientific exchange is an important pillar of WUR’s collaboration with Japan, supporting researcher mobility, knowledge exchange and joint scientific activities across agriculture and food. WUR is strengthening its academic relationship with Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI), building on shared interests across agriculture, biosciences, food and environmental sciences.
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Kazachstan
Kazakhstan offers opportunities for collaboration in climate-resilient agriculture, dry land farming, livestock systems, soil health and sustainable natural resource management. As one of the region's largest agricultural producers, the country is seeking to improve productivity while enhancing environmental sustainability, creating opportunities for WUR to contribute through research partnerships, knowledge exchange and institutional collaboration.
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Singapore
Singapore occupies a distinct position within the regional portfolio as a global innovation, finance and knowledge hub. While its agricultural production is limited, its leadership in food technology, urban agriculture & vertical farming, alternative proteins, agri-food innovation and investment makes it an attractive partner for research collaboration, innovation platforms and regional engagement.
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South Korea
WUR has a long-standing engagement in South Korea, built through research collaborations, knowledge exchange and partnerships with government institutions, research organisations, universities and the private sector. Combining WUR’s expertise across agriculture, food and environmental sciences with South Korea’s strengths in technology and innovation, collaboration spans areas including crop and livestock production, horticulture, food innovation and sustainable agriculture. More recently, cooperation has expanded into digital breeding, smart farming, climate resilience and future foods. This is reflected in initiatives such as a Strategic Partnership between WUR and South Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA) that, among others, resulted in research projects on digital breeding & plant phenotyping, and climate-resilient smart farming, such as the FOSTER 1. WUR also supported the Netherlands–South Korea cooperation on alternative proteins, and the transition towards more sustainable food production.
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Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is emerging as a particularly promising partner, driven by wide-ranging agricultural reforms and growing investment in water-efficient production systems, horticulture, value chains and rural development. WUR's expertise in water-smart agriculture, sustainable horticulture, land restoration and agricultural innovation aligns closely with these priorities, offering scope to develop partnerships spanning research, education, policy advisory and institutional capacity building
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Vietnam
Vietnam is a high-priority partner for WUR, driven by its rapidly modernising agricultural sector, export-oriented food economy, and ambitious sustainability agenda. WUR has a long-standing engagement in the country through research, education, capacity development, and partnerships with universities, government organisations, and the private sector. As Vietnam transitions towards higher-value, sustainable, and climate-resilient food systems, WUR brings together expertise across agriculture, food, water, nature, and environment, with a particularly strong track record in the Mekong Delta.
National priorities related to climate adaptation, delta resilience, sustainable aquaculture, horticulture, food safety, and value chain development align closely with WUR’s expertise, creating opportunities for collaboration through joint research, policy support, and innovation partnerships. A number of initiatives illustrate the ongoing collaboration between WUR and Vietnamese partners. These include the NAFOS (Nature-based Solutions for Food Security) project, pilot plant project Nuoc Mua, the Agriculture Transformation Programme for the Mekong Delta. Additional initiatives include the Roadmap for Post-Harvest Loss Reduction in selected Vietnamese Value Chains, Deltas under Pressure - Salinity & Drought (a WUR – Can Tho University research collaboration), the CROPS4DELTA project, and research on livestock & dairy development. Recent high-level engagement has further strengthened the foundation for deeper cooperation.
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Europe
Intro
Europe is WUR’s home region and a central arena for advancing solutions to the complex challenges facing food, nature and society. Because of Europe’s strategic importance to WUR, our collaborations span the full breadth of the university’s strategic themes and are organised around three closely connected roles: relationship management, strategic partnerships and science–policy engagement. Within Europe, WUR places particular emphasis on Central and Eastern European countries, working with partners on shared challenges and opportunities related to bioeconomy development, food security and sustainable transformation. Through these diverse collaborations, WUR contributes to a stronger, more resilient and knowledge-driven Europe while connecting European expertise and innovation to global challenges.
This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as FutureFoodS, Green ERA-Hub and CEE2ACT, where WUR works with leading European partners to advance sustainable food systems, strengthen research and innovation ecosystems, and support the transition towards a circular bioeconomy.
Contact
Intro
Europe is WUR’s home region and a central arena for advancing solutions to the complex challenges facing food, nature and society. Because of Europe’s strategic importance to WUR, our collaborations span the full breadth of the university’s strategic themes and are organised around three closely connected roles: relationship management, strategic partnerships and science–policy engagement. Within Europe, WUR places particular emphasis on Central and Eastern European countries, working with partners on shared challenges and opportunities related to bioeconomy development, food security and sustainable transformation. Through these diverse collaborations, WUR contributes to a stronger, more resilient and knowledge-driven Europe while connecting European expertise and innovation to global challenges.
This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as FutureFoodS, Green ERA-Hub and CEE2ACT, where WUR works with leading European partners to advance sustainable food systems, strengthen research and innovation ecosystems, and support the transition towards a circular bioeconomy.
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Relationship management
WUR maintains strong relationships with European institutions, organisations and networks, such as FoodForce, European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO), Animal Task Force (ATF), Agrinatura and European Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Organizations (EFARO). The relationship management has a particular focus on Brussels as a key centre for European policy-making and international engagement. Through active relationship management, WUR connects with European stakeholders, identifies emerging opportunities for collaboration and ensures that the university’s expertise contributes to relevant European agendas. These relationships help strengthen WUR’s position as a trusted partner for addressing shared challenges related to food, climate, biodiversity, health and the sustainable use of natural resources.
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Strategic Partnerships
WUR develops strategic partnerships with a wide range of European partners, including bilateral and multilateral organisations, universities, research institutions, businesses and other knowledge and innovation networks. These partnerships create opportunities to combine complementary expertise, develop joint initiatives and strengthen the impact of research, education and innovation, such as with the Triangle cooperation between WUR, Aarhus University and France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). WUR also works through European and international networks such as the European League of Life Sciences (ELLS) and the European Bioeconomy University (EBU) while engaging in partnerships that connect European priorities with global challenges. Particular attention is given to building long-term, strategic relationships that can contribute to transformative change across food systems, bioeconomy, climate adaptation, biodiversity, and other areas of shared importance.
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Science-Policy Engagement
WUR plays an active role at the interface between science and policy, helping to connect scientific knowledge with the European policy debates and decisions that shape the future of food, nature and society. Many of our experts engage directly in European policy-making processes via expert groups, knowledge networks and advisory bodies such as the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. Through activities such as the annual Mansholt Lecture in Brussels, annual training in the Ghent Group science-policy forum, and engagement via the European Science Alliance on Agriculture and Food (ESAAF), WUR contributes to dialogue between researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders. These activities provide opportunities to exchange knowledge, explore emerging challenges, and strengthen the role of evidence and scientific expertise in policymaking.
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Central and Eastern Europe
Within Europe, WUR places particular emphasis on collaboration with Central and Eastern European countries. Together with partners in the region, WUR works on shared challenges and opportunities related to bioeconomy development, food security, and sustainable transformation. These collaborations build local knowledge and expertise while connecting partners to wider European research, education, and innovation networks.
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Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC)
Intro
Latin America’s countries have a tremendous diversity of ecoregions, which include agricultural production areas, natural resources, and a huge biodiversity. These conditions offer a great potential for sustainable production and a socio-bioeconomy. Regional partners of WUR work in these sectors, and WUR complements by looking for synergy with knowledge and expertise to strengthen food systems, conserve biodiversity, and enhance local value creation, enhancing an inclusive and innovative bioeconomy.
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Intro
Latin America’s countries have a tremendous diversity of ecoregions, which include agricultural production areas, natural resources, and a huge biodiversity. These conditions offer a great potential for sustainable production and a socio-bioeconomy. Regional partners of WUR work in these sectors, and WUR complements by looking for synergy with knowledge and expertise to strengthen food systems, conserve biodiversity, and enhance local value creation, enhancing an inclusive and innovative bioeconomy.
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Brazil
Alongside Brazil's own research institutes in agriculture, environment, and food, WUR supports sustainable innovation in agriculture/agroforestry, nature conservation, food systems, and climate resilience. Through research partnerships and knowledge exchange, WUR supports collective efforts toward a more resilient and inclusive bioeconomy in Brazil. Please find in our booklet examples of projects implemented in Brazil and with Brazilian partners.
Downloads
- Colaboração entre a Wageningen University & Research e o Brasil
- Collaboration booklet Wageningen University & Research and Brazil
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Caribbean
Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean face huge challenges regarding sustainability and climate change. These environmental challenges interfere with others: economic crisis, inequalities, earthquakes, hurricanes, sargassum blooms, boycotts, Covid, to name just a few. Based on its knowledge and expertise generated with the countries and islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean as well as Suriname and other SIDS in the region, WUR expertise might be of help to the islands in facing these complex and interdependent challenges, as well as creating opportunities and innovations that strengthens each and every island in a sustainable development path. WUR is eager to strengthen existing and establish new partnerships in the Caribbean to support sustainable development and solid and resilient water, food, and environmental management systems for each island.
Downloads
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Colombia
Colombia is known for its rich biodiversity and dynamic agricultural sector, with a strong potential in the sustainable development of rural areas. There is a need for more, better, and affordable food produced sustainably, as well as a transition in energy production for the growing urban populations. At the same time, conservation of biodiversity is essential, creating a need for optimal and circular production methods in to prevent agricultural production from extending to natural areas. WUR currently collaborates with strategic partners in Colombia like Agrosavia, CIAT and Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL). Please find in our booklet examples of projects implemented in Colombia and with Colombian partners.
Downloads
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Mexico
Mexico has a rich agricultural heritage and strong potential for innovation and sustainability. Together with Mexican partners, WUR aims to support resilient food systems through research, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions. Mexico represents the second-largest group of Latin American students at Wageningen University.
Downloads
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Oceania
Intro
Oceania offers mutually valuable opportunities for collaboration with Wageningen University & Research (WUR), where WUR contributes to regional development while the region enriches WUR’s research. In Australia and New Zealand, there is strong potential for student exchanges, internships, and strategic partnerships with universities and research institutes, particularly in the areas of sustainable agriculture, food and water systems, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
The islands of the South Pacific align closely with WUR’s experience in the Caribbean, facing similar challenges common to small island states. Their unique flora and fauna, combined with opportunities to work alongside indigenous communities, create important learning and research possibilities. Together with partners across Oceania, WUR can also strengthen its engagement in Southeast Asia. New Zealand’s participation in the EU Horizon Programme further deepens these collaborative pathways.
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Intro
Oceania offers mutually valuable opportunities for collaboration with Wageningen University & Research (WUR), where WUR contributes to regional development while the region enriches WUR’s research. In Australia and New Zealand, there is strong potential for student exchanges, internships, and strategic partnerships with universities and research institutes, particularly in the areas of sustainable agriculture, food and water systems, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
The islands of the South Pacific align closely with WUR’s experience in the Caribbean, facing similar challenges common to small island states. Their unique flora and fauna, combined with opportunities to work alongside indigenous communities, create important learning and research possibilities. Together with partners across Oceania, WUR can also strengthen its engagement in Southeast Asia. New Zealand’s participation in the EU Horizon Programme further deepens these collaborative pathways.
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New Zealand
The Netherlands and New Zealand have a strong historic connection, not only because of its names. This is reflected in the bond Wageningen University & Research has established in this country. We have student and/or staff exchange agreements with various universities that have been running for decades. WUR students (and staff) enjoy visiting New Zealand, and vice versa; we regularly receive visitors. WUR has a strategic cooperation agreement with Massey University. Furthermore, valuable collaborations take place with various research institutions. It is also good to know that New Zealand takes part in Horizon Europe, offering funding opportunities for joint cooperation.
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Southwest Asia & North Africa (SWANA)
Intro
Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) is one of the world's most water-constrained and climate-vulnerable regions. Rapid population growth, increasing food demand, land degradation, water scarcity and climate change require integrated, science-based solutions that strengthen both people and ecosystems. For decades, WUR has worked alongside governments, universities, research institutes, development banks, private sector partners and international organisations across SWANA. Together, we co-create locally relevant solutions that improve food security, water resilience and sustainable economic development.
Our work combines world-class science with practical implementation, focusing on:
- Climate-smart and regenerative agriculture
- Water and food systems integration
- Sustainable horticulture and protected cultivation
- Salinity, water efficiency and circular water use
- Food systems transformation
- Capacity strengthening and knowledge exchange
- Nature-based solutions and landscape restoration
- Public-private partnerships and innovation ecosystems
Rather than transferring knowledge, WUR works through long-term partnerships that build local capacity, strengthen institutions and support evidence-based policymaking. This collaborative approach enables lasting impact while helping countries address today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's opportunities.
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Intro
Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) is one of the world's most water-constrained and climate-vulnerable regions. Rapid population growth, increasing food demand, land degradation, water scarcity and climate change require integrated, science-based solutions that strengthen both people and ecosystems. For decades, WUR has worked alongside governments, universities, research institutes, development banks, private sector partners and international organisations across SWANA. Together, we co-create locally relevant solutions that improve food security, water resilience and sustainable economic development.
Our work combines world-class science with practical implementation, focusing on:
- Climate-smart and regenerative agriculture
- Water and food systems integration
- Sustainable horticulture and protected cultivation
- Salinity, water efficiency and circular water use
- Food systems transformation
- Capacity strengthening and knowledge exchange
- Nature-based solutions and landscape restoration
- Public-private partnerships and innovation ecosystems
Rather than transferring knowledge, WUR works through long-term partnerships that build local capacity, strengthen institutions and support evidence-based policymaking. This collaborative approach enables lasting impact while helping countries address today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's opportunities.
Contact
Egypt
Egypt is a long-standing strategic partner of WUR. Together with a wide range of stakeholders, we work on integrated water and food systems, climate smart agriculture, sustainable intensification, horticulture, water productivity and agricultural innovation to strengthen resilient food production under increasing water scarcity. WUR has a strong collaborative relationship with Egypt in the field of sustainable agriculture and food systems, formalised during the Netherlands-Egypt Agricultural Partnership Summit in Cairo.
Building on this foundation, key initiatives such as the NL-Masr PharosFarm project, a dedicated water and food system analysis, and research on irrigation modernisation in the Nile basin showcase how this partnership addresses Egypt's water and agricultural challenges in practice.
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Jordan
Jordan is a regional leader in water innovation. WUR collaborates with Jordanian partners on water efficiency, sustainable horticulture, agricultural policy, climate adaptation and private sector development through research, capacity strengthening and public-private collaboration. Some examples of research outputs illustrating this are a comparative study on food security under water scarcity in Egypt and Jordan, and the joint publication Climate-smart agriculture in Egypt & Jordan.
WUR supports partnerships that bring together governments, knowledge institutions and regional actors to strengthen water smart, climate resilient food systems. In the case of the Jordan-Netherlands Policy Dialogue on Water Agriculture, WUR contributed through scientific expertise, by providing evidence based insights that help translate policy ambitions into practical, sustainable solutions.
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Morocco
Morocco forms a strategic hub connecting WUR to North Africa, characterised by strong cooperation in greenhouse horticulture, agroecology, sustainable production systems, value chain strengthening and agricultural innovation to accelerate climate resilient food production. An example is the establishment of the Morocco-Netherlands Centre of Excellence in Horticulture of Agadir.
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Saudi-Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an emerging strategic partner for WUR, advancing collaboration in food systems transformation, sustainable agriculture, water management, desert farming, biotechnology and agricultural innovation. These efforts support the ambitions of Vision 2030 through joint research, education and long term strategic partnerships.
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United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates serve as a regional hub for innovation, where WUR collaborates with government, research institutes and industry on sustainable food systems, controlled environment agriculture, desert farming, food security, water resilience and future ready agricultural technologies. WUR maintains a strong presence in the UAE, enabling strategic partnerships and regional collaboration across Southwest Asia and North Africa.
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Multilateral collaborations and programmes
Intro
WUR collaborates worldwide with governments, international organizations, universities, and industry partners to address global challenges in food, agriculture, climate, and sustainability. These global partnerships help translate research into practical solutions with impact at local, regional, and international levels.
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Intro
WUR collaborates worldwide with governments, international organizations, universities, and industry partners to address global challenges in food, agriculture, climate, and sustainability. These global partnerships help translate research into practical solutions with impact at local, regional, and international levels.
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Asian Development Bank
Wageningen University and Research and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) formalised their strategic cooperation through an agreement signed at the ADB Annual Meeting in Milan in May 2025. This partnership combines WUR’s science and innovation capabilities with ADB’s development expertise and investment reach to accelerate the transition towards resilient and sustainable food systems across Asia and the Pacific.
Collaboration focuses on the climate–food–nature nexus, sustainable water and natural-resource management, and healthy and safe food systems, with particular emphasis on translating knowledge and innovation into practical solutions. The partnership provides a platform for joint knowledge development, capacity building and project development, helping connect science with policy, investment and implementation across ADB’s developing member countries.
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Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
CGIAR is a global research partnership dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in the face of climate change. Through its network of international research centres, CGIAR develops science based innovations that strengthen food security, resilience, and sustainable agriculture worldwide. WUR has a long-term engagement with CGIAR, focused on advancing innovation in crop improvement, climate adaptation, sustainable food systems, and agricultural development worldwide.
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Food & Agriculture Organization
The Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the United Nations agency leading global efforts to achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Through its worldwide programmes and expertise, the Food & Agriculture Organization supports countries in building resilient food systems and addressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural development. Through partnerships with FAO, WUR contributes scientific expertise to improve food security and sustainable agricultural systems.
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Islamic Development bank
The Islamic Development Bank is a multilateral development bank headquartered in Saudi Arabia. It supports social and economic development in its 57 member countries through investments in infrastructure, agriculture, food security, climate resilience, education, and innovation. WUR collaborates with the Islamic Development Bank as knowledge and research partners.
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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, is an international organisation that works with governments to shape policies that foster economic growth, social well being, and sustainable development. Through its research, standards, and global policy dialogue, the OECD supports countries in addressing challenges such as food security, climate change, and innovation in agriculture — areas closely aligned with WUR’s expertise. Collaboration with OESO supports evidence-based policy development on agriculture, environment, and innovation.
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World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that supports countries in reducing poverty, strengthening economic development, and improving resilience in key sectors such as agriculture, water, and the environment. Through global research, financing, and policy support, the World Bank helps governments address structural challenges and build sustainable, inclusive growth. WUR cooperates with the World Bank on projects that strengthen resilient food systems and rural development in low and middle income countries, with a focus on Agriculture and Water.
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Wageningen Global Sustainability Programme (WGSP)
Wageningen Global Sustainability Programme is an international scientific collaboration programme that focuses on interdisciplinary research and education to support sustainable transitions worldwide. The programme aims to strengthen WUR’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals through collaborations with local partners.