Photo: Curated lifestyle/unsplash.com

Who and how?

With the help of our reference group, we have identified several stakeholders and target groups that should be aware of these recommendations. These include institutions, associations, events, and specific stakeholder groups. Below, we have summarised relevant actors and activities proposed to ensure effective dissemination and take-up of the five recommendations.

Key actors

Educators in the food sector and current curricula: Important target groups are teachers in food subjects and career counsellors, as they have a great influence on young people.
Ministries of education and agencies responsible for education and curricula at the multilevel. This should also include programmes tailored for women to work in primary production.
Ministries of agriculture and agencies involved in structural strategies for food systems and food production-related schools.
Social ministries and agencies offering a common platform and special services directed to migrants, for more information on career opportunities and entrepreneurship opportunities within the food systems sector.

Rural municipalities and regions: These actors can facilitate and highlight agriculture and the food sector. i.e., plan and provide resources for lower-grade education in food systems. They can share best practices and help map success stories.
Farmers' organisations (NLF, NBL. Landbrug og Fødevarer, LRF, etc.). They can contribute to changing attitudes and mobilisation for young people in decision-making and strategy formation spaces. They can aid in showing talents and good examples. Further development of bootcamps and hackathons for diverse urban and rural participation could be organised with their help, as well as farmers' courses on cross-sectoral leadership.
Higher education and research institutions: These actors can be relevant in looking into curricula and conferences, as well as student organisations. This includes highlighting the opportunities for innovation in the whole food system sectors.
Funding and funders: In developing the evaluation of criteria for research funding.

Key activities

Surveys among young people regarding their preferences, attitudes, and choices related to food systems
Followed by interviews in order to get a thorough understanding of how to attract modern youth to modern food systems.
A mapping of exemplary cases from around the Nordic countries with success in recruitment, career development, etc. in food systems. Sharing cases, benchmarking, and positive stories.
Development of relevant courses on cross-sectoral issues for farmers and immigrants.
Bootcamps and hackathons aimed at young people curious about food systems and entrepreneurship.
“Road-trip” in the Nordics to key nodes for curricula development in both educational institutions and food-related institutions and associations.