"Young people will have to bear the brunt of the effects from our current food systems, yet they're often sidelined in decision-making processes. That's something we want to change," says Professor Nina Cecilie Øverby at the University of Agder.
The project has received NOK 12 million in support from the Research Council of Norway. Its aim is to develop a Nordic diet for the next generation - a diet that is sustainable, health-promoting, and that young people actually want to adopt.
A complex challenge
A food system involves everything from production and refinement to distribution, sale, marketing, and consumption - in addition to the effects it has on the environment.
The background to the project is the serious health and environmental challenges we face. The current situation contributes to an unhealthy diet which leads to lifestyle diseases that place a burden on the health sector. At the same time, our diet causes a number of climate and environmental issues.
"We want to create a food system that delivers healthy food without harming the planet," says Øverby.
Facts
- The full name of the project is 'Next Generation Nordic Diet: Working with young people to create a Next Generation Nordic diet within a sustainable food system'
- In addition to the University of Agder, Arendal municipality, Geitmyra Culinary Centre for Children, Agder County Council, OsloMet, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Young Entrepreneurship Agder are participating.
- The project starts on 1 April 2025 and ends on 31 March 2029
- The total budget is around NOK 18 million
Through collaboration with stakeholders such as Agder County Council, Geitmyra Culinary Centre for Children and Young Entrepreneurship, young people will have the opportunity to find out where changes can have the greatest impact. This will take place in a so-called 'real-world laboratory', where Arendal municipality will be a testing ground.
"Exciting collaboration"
Tone Worren is senior adviser for public health and living conditions in Arendal. She says the municipality is looking forward to the collaboration.
"We’re going to work together to find good solutions for a healthy and sustainable diet, and it's exciting that it's taking place right here in Arendal, in collaboration with our young people and other stakeholders," says Worren.
She also points out that the outcome of this work could notably impact public health, by demonstrating the importance of a good and sustainable diet.
Young people as researchers
A crucial element is that the young people will be directly involved as researchers. They will receive training in research methods and will learn how to cooperate with stakeholders in the food system to bring about change.
"The young people will play a key role. They will not only give input, but actively participate in the exploration. We believe the key to finding real solutions is to collaborate with and listen to these youth," says Øverby.
They will also interview older generations to see if lessons from previous diets can contribute to more sustainable solutions in the future.
Hope for lasting solutions
Øverby makes it clear that no solutions have been arrived at. The aim is to create concrete proposals for changes that can be tested in practice.
"We hope to come up with solutions that improve diet and are sustainable. It's a major challenge and we don't know where we'll end up, but we know that co-creation is the way to go," she says.
The project aims not only to improve diet, but also to build competencies and skills in young people, actors in the food system, and the researchers themselves.
"This is co-creation in practice. We'll develop solutions together, and that's the essence of what we're doing at UiA," says Øverby.
Contact
- nina.c.overby@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 13 24