Celebrating our Impact Partners of 2025
As we reflect on the second transformative year of the Empower Youth4Food campaign – Vietnam Chapter, we are deeply grateful for the steadfast support, collaboration, and shared purpose of our impact partners – which has now grown to over 28 private sector companies, knowledge institutions, network platforms and other youth-led organisations. Together we have amplified youth voices, nurtured community resilience, and advanced sustainable innovations within Vietnam’s food systems. Their commitment has made these achievements possible.
To celebrate what we’ve achieved together, here’s a look at the activities and milestones we proudly reached this year.
EY4F’s activities and milestones in 2025
Industry Immersion at ShrimpVet
We opened 2025 with an insightful visit to ShrimpVet in Bình Duong, where students and young professionals explored sustainable aquaculture in action and discovered future career pathways. This event was made possible in close collaboration with ShrimpVet.
2. Changemaker Challenge Hackathon
In April, our two-day innovation hackathon co-hosted with We Are Changemakers empowered students from Tra Vinh University and Can Tho University to co-design nature-based solutions for Vietnam’s food system together with industry partners Agriterra, Rijk Zwaan and Good Tôm, and supported through mentoring from alumni, skill-building sessions, and opportunities for further incubation.
The Dutch Embassy in Vietnam provided two best teams, EarthFeast from Tra Vinh University and EcoShrimp from Can Tho University, with EUR 1000 seed funding each to support them in bringing their ideas to life.
3. Youth-Led Solutions Webinar
In light of World Environment Day, commemorated annually on 10th June, we spotlighted five young innovators addressing environmental challenges in agri-food systems. During an online webinar themed “Youth-led Initiatives in tackling Environmental Challenges in Food Systems”, they shared practical strategies for climate-smart action.
The webinar was organised together with the winners of the Changemaker Challenge (EarthFeast, EcoShrimp), Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company, Green Beli Farm and Xanh Vietnam.
4. EU-Vietnam Youth Dialogue
On International Youth Day, our youth ambassadors contributed to policy-focused exchanges on digital and green transitions, strengthening youth voices within EU-Vietnam cooperation; in partnership with the Vietnam Youth Advisory Board.
5. One Day as a Farmer
September brought hands-on learning in rice-shrimp farming, connecting farmers, buyers, and youth while showcasing an eco-tourism model developed by our Changemaker Challenge winners: EarthFeast, in collaboration with Agriterra.
6. Company Visit to Green Beli Farm
Together with ENVI Club and Green Beli Farm, we created an immersive experience for youth in Gia Lai to cultivate awareness, hope and skill in sustainable agriculture.
This visit was led by Tran Thai Binh, our youth ambassador who is a prime example of a new, young farming generation.
7. Food Systems Innovation Challenge in Wageningen
As a follow up on the Changemaker Challenge, our winning teams, EcoShrimp and EarthFeast, represented Vietnam on the global stage in the Netherlands during the Grand Finals of the Food Systems Innovation Challenge, showcasing breakthrough aquaculture innovations and connecting with young changemakers from across the globe; achieved together with Wageningen University & Research and the Netherlands Food Partnership.
8. Youth Climate Action Week
As a co-organising partner with YNet Vietnam, we hosted a national debate facilitated by a representative from Dear Our Community, our impact partner. In addition, Tra Vinh University contributed by delivering an introductory course on food systems and engaging young leaders through exhibitions and dialogue, reinforcing their critical role in climate action.
9. Sustainable Aquaculture in the Mekong Delta Business Event
We amplified youth leadership in shaping the future of aquaculture, fostering connections with experts, partners, and future innovators.
In addition, EY4F supported the Combi-Track Vietnam in developing a more sustainable aquaculture sector by actively engaging youth in innovation, dialogue, and decision-making processes. At the forum, two youth ambassadors also participated in an interactive session with the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Aukje de Vries, at the booth dedicated to EY4F.
10. Guest Lecture “Next Wave: In conversation with Young Professionals in Aquaculture”
In November, our guest lecture at Can Tho University linked students with young professionals from De Heus, Kytos, Pharmaq and Skretting, shaping sustainable aquaculture, offering guidance, inspiration, and pathways to real-world impact.
Over 60 students from Can Tho University, Tra Vinh University and Dong Thap Community College attended the event, which was opened with inspiring remarks from CTU’s vice rector, Dean of the College of Aquaculture and Fisheries and the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO).
11. Work Orientation Day at Tepbac
As part of EY4F’s commitment to nurturing young changemakers, we awarded the winning team of “Harvesting Tomorrow – Youth in Agriculture” video competition — with a special orientation visit to TEPBAC, our impact partner.
This experience offered Hong Minh valuable insights into how technology and innovation are shaping the future of agriculture, further inspiring her journey with EcoShrimp.
Partner with EY4F to empower Vietnam’s next generation.
As we look ahead, we remain inspired by the passion, creativity and determination of young people in Vietnam. Their ideas and actions are reshaping the future of agriculture; making it more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. Empower Youth4Food is committed to continuing this journey, nurturing young talent and strengthening the bridge between education, industry, and community impact.
For companies and organisations eager to support youth leadership and sustainable food systems, we offer partnership packages for 2026 that outline meaningful opportunities for collaboration. These can be accessed on our website: empower-youth4food.com/become-a-partner.
We would be thrilled to explore how we can work together to build a thriving future for Vietnam’s food system. For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to ctroost@nuffic.nl: we look forward to connecting with you!
