Foreword

Food systems around the world are under increasing pressure. In many countries across the Global South, challenges such as climate change, population growth, environmental degradation, food insecurity, and limited economic opportunities are affecting both livelihoods and the resilience of food systems. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires new approaches, local innovation, and collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and generations.

Young people have an important role to play in this transformation. They bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and a strong motivation to contribute to positive change. Yet many students lack opportunities to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges, develop entrepreneurial skills, or connect with the networks needed to turn ideas into action.

The Food Systems Innovation Challenge was created to help bridge that gap. Through challenge-based learning, students work on locally relevant food systems challenges, engage with stakeholders, and develop innovative solutions with the potential to create lasting impact. Supported by their partner universities, they build not only knowledge, but also the confidence, collaboration skills, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to navigate complex challenges and drive change. In doing so, the challenge also helps strengthen entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems within participating universities.

Over the past three years, the challenge has brought together students, universities, experts, funders, and partners across multiple countries. Along the way, it has generated valuable insights into how challenge-based learning can strengthen innovation ecosystems, empower young changemakers, and contribute to food systems transformation.

This Playbook brings together those lessons. It documents what we have learned, shares experiences from participants and partners, shows how the challenge has impacted the students and their universities and offers practical guidance for other universities and organisations interested in developing similar initiatives.

It is not intended as a blueprint. Every institution, community, and food system operates in a unique context. Instead, we hope this Playbook serves as a source of inspiration and a practical resource for those seeking to engage youth, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and support the next generation of food systems leaders.

Mirjam Troost

WUR Student Challenges

Bente Meindertsma

Netherlands Food Partnership