Food Eco-Culture Education: connecting disciplines in European higher academia

How can we bring a fresh perspective to the future of food and hospitality education? From farm to fork and into the classroom: education about food, hospitality and culture could be far more interconnected. That is exactly what the Food Eco-Culture Edu (FEC) project aims to do. By connecting students and lecturers from four different countries, we are developing new ways of thinking, learning and working with food - towards a sustainable, inclusive and attractive future for the food and hospitality sector.

What is the motivation for the project?

Food and hospitality education is ready for change. Many courses still focus mainly on the technical or commercial aspects, while issues like sustainability, culture and social impact are becoming increasingly important. Food Eco-Culture Edu (FEC) wants to turn this around.

The project offers students a new perspective: food is not just a product, but also a social, ecological and cultural story. By linking disciplines and putting sustainable food practices at the centre, FEC demonstrates that the sector is more than just a job - it’s a chance to contribute to a better world. That makes the field more attractive to young people. FEC aims to close the gap between education and practice – and between students and the labour market - helping to secure a future for the food and hospitality sector.

What problem does the project solve?

The food and hospitality sector is struggling. Student enrolment is declining, staff shortages are growing and the image of the industry is far from appealing. Debates about over-tourism, environmental damage and low wages make it even less attractive for people to pursue a career in this field. Globally, the sector is facing a gap of over 60% between supply and demand. Of those working in the sector, 63% lack the required skills. And with a staff turnover rate of 65%, the industry is in a constant state of catch-up. This puts service quality and continuity at risk.

FEC tackles this challenge at its root: by rethinking education, inspiring students and involving the industry more actively. Because without well-trained and motivated people, the entire sector is on shaky ground.

Who is the project team?

The project is carried out by an international network of educational institutions, with NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences as the lead partner. The partners:

Technological University of the Shannon (Ireland)
IPCA (Portugal)
Campus Fryslân - University of Groningen (the Netherlands)
Momentum (Ireland)
European E-learning Institute (Denmark)

Students from associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes actively take part through classes, Living Labs and workshops. That means: co-creating, testing, collaborating and developing their own ideas.

What is the project approach?

Our approach is practical. Students and lecturers collaborate in four so-called Living Labs – spaces that bring together learning, experimentation and co-creation. We focus on: