Youth in Action for Food Waste Reduction

Project Location: Vienna, Austria Number of Participants: 35 Young People and Group Leaders Partner Countries: Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Romania Project Status: Successfully Implemented

Completed Project: Youth in Action for Food Waste Reduction
Project Location: Vienna, Austria
Number of Participants: 35 Young People and Group Leaders
Partner Countries: Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Romania
Project Status: Successfully Implemented

Food waste is not just a meal thrown away; it also means wasting water, energy, and labor. With an average of 132 kg of food wasted per person annually across Europe, we successfully implemented our “Youth in Action for Food Waste Reduction” project in Vienna, aiming to break this cycle.

Project Aim and Vision
This project aimed not only to raise awareness among young people about food waste but also to transform them into changemakers in their environment. Inspired by Vienna’s leadership in sustainable waste management:

We examined the impacts of food waste on climate change and social inequality.

We developed practical strategies to reduce household and commercial food waste.

We encouraged young people to develop creative solutions to improve food systems.

What Did We Do? (Activities Implemented)
During our week in Vienna, we implemented an intensive and interactive program:

Field Research (Waste Watch): We observed firsthand where and how food waste occurs in local markets and kitchens.

Green Spark Lab: We developed prototypes on how waste can be transformed into “valuable products” (upcycling).

Art and Awareness: We wrote a “Recycling Anthem” and drew the attention of the Viennese public to food waste through street performances.

Policy Simulation: We conducted role-playing exercises on policy proposals to reduce the impact of food systems on the climate through the “Green Leaders Forum”.

Visits: We visited Experience Europa in Vienna, the capital of Austria, and participated in EU simulations.

Project Outcomes and Impact
At the end of the project, our 35 young participants:

Local Action Plans: Designed food waste prevention projects that they can implement when they return to their home countries.

Digital Dissemination: Produced video collages and informative content that will reach a wide audience through social media.

Pulse Paper: Prepared a joint newsletter containing the tools and methods learned throughout the project.

Legacy for the Future
In line with the spirit of Erasmus+, our project did not end in Vienna. Our participants returned home as “conscious consumption ambassadors” against food waste. We continue to contribute to the EU’s goal of reducing food waste by 30% by 2030 through the small changes that these young leaders we have trained will initiate locally.

“Wasting food is stealing from the future. We chose to protect our future.”