Climate-Bites: Nurturing Youth Agency through Food Awareness

<< Background >>The partners applied with the aim of empowering young people, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and values to become active changemakers in the transition to regenerative food systems. The needs we have addressed through this project were the following:The consortium partners needed to build capacities and improve the quality of the work on promoting climate action and youth engagement through the development, compilation and testing of new educational tools and methodologies.Local organisations in Germany and Hungary needed access to innovative content, methods and tools in the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) field, and the opportunity to exchange experiences, create partnerships and identify concrete citizen involvement opportunities for young people.The Food CoLab participants (teachers, informal educators and the staff of local organisations working with youth) needed training and awareness-raising to better understand the global, national, local and individual levels of climate change and food systems as complex challenges.To navigate complex issues related to climate change and food systems, young people needed systemic thinking skills and cooperation delivered by the educators that work with them.<< Objectives >>The objectives of the project were divided into four key aspects, stated in the application: SO1: Develop and increase the internal and external capabilities of the consortium partners to operate and cooperate at the European level on youth education and activities through trans-sectoral and transnational exchange of knowledge, experiences, values, skills, and best practices.S02: Raise awareness among youth, teachers, informal educators, and local environmental organisations working with youth in Germany and Hungary about the sustainability of food systems and the role of food systems in contributing to effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.SO3: Generate green skills in youth, teachers, informal educators, and local organisations' staff by exploring, developing, and implementing innovative educational methodologies focused on producing healthy, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems, as well as entrepreneurship tools and processes.SO4: Offer the chance for teachers, informal educators and local organisations to network, exchange experiences, transfer knowledge and explore local contexts between Germany and Hungary.<< Implementation >>1. One Capacity building session to exchange knowledge, best practices, resources, and experience to sustain the project's impact in the long term through multiple online activities (5 participants from 3 organisations)2. One in-person transnational partner meeting (TPM) in Dresden, Germany, where the consortium partners met to conduct capacity-building activities, exchange knowledge, and coordinate the various activities (5 participants from 3 organisations)3. One joint online kick-off event with the local organisations in Germany and Hungary (16 participants from 10 organisations) 4. Two Food Co-Labs in Germany (24 participants) and Hungary (26 participants) focusing on educational methodologies related to food systems and climate change 5. Two Field Trips in Germany (9 participants) and Hungary (29 participants) to explore local solutions6. One public awareness campaign to highlight the importance of the food-climate nexus, targeting schools, communities, and social media platforms.<< Results >>1. A transnational survey was designed and implemented to assess young people's perceptions of food systems and climate change in Germany and Hungary. The results were synthesized in a comprehensive youth-oriented analytical report, which informed educational content and advocacy strategies.2. A compilation of education for sustainable development (ESD) methodologies, tools, and didactic materials focused on sustainable food systems and climate action. These resources were co-developed with local organisations and experts and piloted during the Food CoLabs, forming a reusable toolbox for formal and informal educators.3. A structured 5-module curriculum used during the Food CoLabs in both countries. This curriculum serves as a replicable and scalable model for training youth workers and teachers4. A video highlighting project activities, outcomes, and participant testimonials produced for online dissemination. A suite of visual and editorial materials (e.g., infographics, digital flyers, social media assets) used as part of the communication and dissemination campaign of the project. 5. In Germany and Hungary, a database of youth workers (50) interested in the food systems topic