Generation Food: helping young Belgian entrepreneurs solve food-related problems

In Generation Food various organisations join their network and expertise to stimulate innovation and give new entrepreneurs a boost.

Generation Food wants to activate new entrepreneurs and increase their chances of success (SDG 8: decent work and economic growth). With a focus on sustainability and nutrition, we do so with a view to the future (SDG 11: sustainable cities & SDG 12: responsible production and consumption).

Generation Food stems from Leuven's local food strategy and implements one of the 7 strategic objectives: stimulating innovation for sustainable agriculture and nutrition. With bottom-up (social) innovative projects we want to make the food system in and around Leuven more sustainable and fairer. The role of a new (young) generation of starting entrepreneurs will be crucial.

We offer a training programme consisting of hackathons, a master class and a test lab for starting entrepreneurs who are looking for inspiration, who want to develop their own ideas or who want to experiment with food for the future.

Generation Food is a test in Leuven that we - when validated - want to roll out in other cities within our Food Smart Cities network. The need for people to innovate and do business is a global challenge, and the role they play in producing and providing sustainable, fair and healthy food for all can not be underestimated.

Generation Food is part of Rikolto's international Food Smart Cities programme. In different cities around the world, including Burkina Faso, Arusha, Leuven and Quito, Rikolto supports municipalities in formulating food policies and putting them in practice. In co-creation with universities, businesses, local food production/distribution initiatives, municipalities and farmer cooperatives, we develop business models (from farm to fork) that make the transition to sustainable cities possible. Through Generation Food, Rikolto advocates for the active participation of young people in shaping the future food system.

• Read more about the Generation Food incubator in Arusha
• Read more about the Generation Food incubator in Ouagadougou

Rikolto

Rikolto (formerly VECO) means 'harvest' in Esperanto. On the one hand, Rikolto coaches farmers' organisations to become strong business partners. On the other hand, Rikolto, together with farmers, companies, scientists and governments, is harvesting new ideas to feed a growing world population in a sustainable way.

Province of Flemish Brabant

The province of Flemish Brabant is a form of local government that links the 65 municipalities of the area and the Flemish and federal governments. The provincial council implements and develops economic, social and cultural policy, coordinates actions of local actors and funds projects of regional importance.

KU Leuven

Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of international master’s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research.

UCLL

UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL) is one of the major universities of applied sciences in Flanders with over 14,000 students and 9 campuses.

Boerenbond

Boerenbond is the largest trade association for farmers and horticulturists in Flanders and German-speaking Belgium. The activities are situated in five areas: advocacy, training and information, services, representation and cooperation in production, supply and marketing.

EIT Food

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted by consumers.

City of Leuven

KBC

KBC is one of the leading banks in Belgium and an important financial player in the agricultural and horticultural sector.