This summer, Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet partners, Electrolux Food Foundation (EFF) and AIESEC, came together in Sri Lanka to host the world’s largest Food Heroes Workshop, inspiring thousands of young changemakers to take action for a more sustainable future.
Food Heroes, an educational initiative for kids, is a part of UNICEF’s World’s Largest Lesson. It teaches young people about the relationship between healthy food, our bodies and our environment, through an interactive workshop.
Since 2018, over +247,000 kids have been reached by Electrolux Food Foundation, AIESEC, and Worldchefs across +30 countries.
Empowering Youth Through Education
This summer in Sri Lanka, a multi-day event united 261 delegates from 63 countries, using the Food Heroes workshop to make a tangible difference through education.
On Day 1, AIESEC participants joined a training and brainstorming session designed to help them deliver impactful Food Heroes workshops. Led by the Electrolux Food Foundation team, the session equipped participants with tools to engage students on the topic of sustainable eating.
Feeding the Future
Day 2 began with an inspiring keynote by Cosimo Scarano, Head of Electrolux Food Foundation, titled “Feeding the Future: How Purpose, Food, and Action Can Change the World.” The momentum carried into classrooms, where trained youth leaders delivered 86 Food Heroes sessions to 2,889 students, ages 11–17.
86 Food Heroes Sessions
2,889 Students
Through interactive activities and discussions, the students explored how their daily food choices can drive change. Once the sessions concluded, participants left with clear next steps to drive sustainable change:
- Serving and eating only what’s needed
- Eating more plants and local food
- Shopping and planning meals mindfully
- Reusing leftovers and reducing food waste
- Spreading awareness and leading by example
“At the Electrolux Food Foundation, we believe that sustainability starts with awareness — and that education is the most powerful tool we have to inspire change,” said Cosimo Scarano. “By helping children understand the link between food and the environment, we are planting the seeds for a future where sustainable choices become the preferred ones.”
In total, 277 facilitators brought this Food Heroes event to life. As the world’s largest edition, these workshops in Sri Lanka served as a powerful demonstration of how collaboration across borders can spark global action.
For many volunteers, the experience was impactful and deeply personal. Elcan Bayramli, one of the facilitators, shared:
“Being in that classroom was not just teaching, it was learning, and it reminded me why this has always been a dream of mine,” said Bayramli. “When we empower the next generation with knowledge and values, we are planting the seeds for a world where young people can truly save the planet.”
On the final two days of the event, Electrolux Food Foundation joined the Youth Speak Forum, contributing to the panel “Inclusive Job Markets and Equity in Access to Opportunities.” During the Excellence Awards ceremony, AIESEC’s 30 national offices were recognized for their ongoing dedication to the Food Heroes program.
A Growing Global Movement
This World Food Day, we are proud to officially announce the achievement of having reached our 2030 goal of educating 300,000 kids worldwide through our Food Heroes initiative. An objective originally planned for 2030, we are now more than five years ahead of schedule, inspiring a new 2030 goal to educate 1 million people on sustainable food habits. To learn more, click here.
The Food Heroes Workshop in Sri Lanka marked a major milestone in the shared mission of Worldchefs, Electrolux Food Foundation, and AIESEC to build a more sustainable food culture through education. Together, we’re showing that the path to a better planet begins with small actions, and that young people have the power to lead the way.
Watch the aftermovie to relive the experience:
Thank you to the teams at Electrolux Food Foundation and AIESEC who made this event possible. Your continued support and ambition further the success of Feed the Planet.
To learn more about Food Heroes or register your workshop, click the button below:
To view more photos, click here.
