Event Overview
The GAIN Student Challenge returns in November 2025 for its fourth edition! This unique, two-day challenge will bring together 50 students from across the Netherlands to co-develop, alongside peers from a Sub-Saharan African University, sustainable and innovative solutions to real-world food system challenges from one of GAIN’s projects.
Building on the success of previous editions, this year’s challenge continues to offer students a platform to engage directly with GAIN's mission of improving the consumption of healthier diets for all, especially the most vulnerable population, raising awareness on our work on nutrition, food security and food systems.
GAIN wants to engage students in our work - we want youth input on a real project which we are currently working on. We purposefully chose a multi-disciplinary approach and encourage students from various backgrounds to participate - this resonates with our belief that malnutrition cannot be solved by one sector alone, but can be ended within our lifetime if there is cooperation between different sectors.
About the Challenge
The Student Challenge is designed to:
- Raise awareness among students about the global nutrition landscape and food system challenges
- Offer practical, hands-on experience through collaboration on GAIN’s current projects
- Encourage interdisciplinary teamwork and creative problem-solving
- Build student capacity in pitching ideas and working in international, cross-cultural teams
During the challenge, students will attend expert-led sessions, receive coaching on interdisciplinary collaboration and pitching, and gain insights into the link between food systems and nutrition.
The winners will receive a broader platform to present their solution – they will be invited to speak in front of GAIN’s respective project team, GAIN’s Senior Management team and Executive Director, and other relevant stakeholders. Their solutions might even be implemented in the field!