Launched on 22 April 2021, the Empower Youth4Food (EY4F) campaign is an initiative designed to transform how young people in Southeast Asia perceive agriculture. Initially running from April 2021 to April 2023, the campaign successfully brought together youth, knowledge institutions, governments, private sectors, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to tackle challenges and unlock opportunities in agriculture. Building on this success, the EY4F Campaign has expanded with a new focus on Vietnam through the EY4F Campaign – Vietnam Chapter, which will run for another two years. This chapter officially launched during the Sustainable Food System event in Hanoi on 19 March 2024, coinciding with the state visit. Explore the campaign's vision, components, and upcoming activities below.

Campaign Objectives

The EY4F campaign is a platform for coalition building and youth inclusion in agriculture in Southeast Asia. The two-year campaign focused on Vietnam will have the following objectives:

1) Improve the reputation of agricultural education and agricultural employment among young people in Vietnam

2) Engage and further mobilise a large cross-section of the NL alumni network in Vietnam

3) Inspire the young generation in Vietnam to become more involved and shape a future for food production based on principles of innovation and sustainability.

Context

Southeast Asia faces pressing challenges in modernizing food production and ensuring food security. Agriculture, often seen as outdated and lacking opportunities, struggles to attract younger generations. As the number of farmers declines and their average age increases, innovation and technology adoption in farming remain limited.

These challenges are mirrored in the region's education systems, particularly in Technical & Vocational Education and Training for agriculture, where outdated curricula, teaching methodologies, and an ageing workforce hinder progress. The future of agriculture in Southeast Asia depends on engaging the next generation to shape sustainable food systems and embrace innovation.

Recognizing these challenges, numerous NL alumni in Southeast Asia, are taking the lead to drive change. Together, they aim to inspire young people by sharing success stories and highlighting agriculture as a vibrant, modern sector with significant potential for personal and societal growth.

Partners

As the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products, the Netherlands brings unmatched expertise and innovation to the global agriculture sector. Dutch organizations are key investors in Southeast Asia's agricultural landscape, making them pivotal contributors to EY4F. The campaign is supported by a consortium of Dutch and Southeast Asian organizations. A full overview of the campaign’s partners can be found here.