There is lack of young people in agriculture in the EU, as well as aging the rural population mainly involved in food production. These trends are generally creating a serious risk in a loss of secure and sustainable food production. Project “Growing Growers” aims to research the position of young farmers in Serbia and Croatia, their needs and challenges, as well as the food sovereignty situation in general. Research will map young farmers (18-30). 10 of them will be trained for social entrepreneurship and new trends in food production, as well as empowered and supported to develop business plans for their farms. In addition, 2 young refuges based in Serbia will be involved in training as the project attempt to examine possibility for their social inclusion in food sector. Based on the research and training, Young Farmers' network in a form of an online platform will be set up for presenting and promoting young farmers’ work and lives, as we as linking producers and consumers. Through the awareness raising campaign, project will promote research findings, promote young farmers and advocate for their better position and sustainable food systems. Project “Growing Growers” will bring young farmers, social entrepreneurship, social inclusion and sustainable food systems into the public attention. Overall, more young people in Serbia and Croatia will become aware about what they eat, where the food comes from, and how it is produced so that some of them will engage themselves in the sustainable food production in near future.
There is lack of young people in agriculture in the EU, as well as aging the rural population mainly involved in food production. These trends are generally creating a serious risk in a loss of secure and sustainable food production. Project “Growing Growers” researched the position of young farmers in Serbia and Croatia, their needs and challenges, as well as the food sovereignty situation in general. During the research, 65 young farmers (18-30) were mapped: 38 in Serbia and 27 in Croatia and the study titled “Young Farmers and Food Sovereignty” was published in 3 languages (Serbia, Croatian, English) in both countries and promoted in media and public. Based on this, two online platforms were set up for presenting and promoting young farmers’ work and lives, as well as linking producers and consumers in Serbia and Croatia. Project "Growing Growers" advocated for young farmers' better position and sustainable food systems, by bringing young farmers and sustainable food systems into public, government and stakeholders' attention.