Our objective was to provide teachers with educational and training resources to inspire young people about a positive vision of the future and kick-start their interest in innovative solutions, tools and concepts that will help make the EU food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly. Our project sought to inspire young people to be environmentally active, educated and able to realize the change they want to see. During the project the partners developed an online platform to share teaching and learning resources for teachers and students on how we can all make changes in our lifestyles to help combat climate change and environmental damage. The digital resources and tools enable teachers to educate students in the problematic of today’s food system, about the EU Farm to Fork strategy, and engage students into formal and non-formal educational activities and projects in and around their schools to develop their skills and competences to actively seek local solutions to put our food systems on a sustainable path. Based on the success of the YFCC engagement tool the project sucesfully achieved its objective.
Our food system causes 1/3 of global emissions and is the primary driver of biodiversity loss. We need to shift from climate-intensive global food trade to fair, short distribution networks that embed food systems in local economies, fostering trust between producers and consumers. Youth voices must be amplified in food and climate discussions, enabling everyone to contribute to solutions. Education and citizen participation are crucial: food and environmental education at all school levels, transparency, and knowledge sharing will lead to equitable solutions. The momentum for education for sustainable development is stronger than ever. Global issues like climate change require lifestyle shifts and new ways of thinking and acting. We need new skills, values, and attitudes for more sustainable societies. Our project believes small individual changes can make a big difference when multiplied. The multipliers are young people in the secondary schools. We provided teachers with resources to engage students in meaningful projects and non-formal learning activities, creating desired changes and strengthening opportunities for youth to engage in the environmental sector.