Welcome to the Beehive

What if transforming global food systems started with free education? For the 6th year in a row, the Netherlands Food Partnership and Wageningen UR are breaking barriers with their Food Systems E-Course, backed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This isn’t just another online course—it’s a movement.In this episode, Wim Goris takes us behind the scenes of the 2025 edition, where a record-breaking 2,200+ professionals and 40+ teams from low- and middle-income countries came together to rethink food security. Designed for policymakers, NGOs, private-sector leaders, and educators, this course isn’t just about learning—it’s about collaboration. Discover the new team-based approach, how the organisers work with AI.Missed this year’s registration? Join https://www.nfpconnects.com/ This course is a game-changer for anyone serious about food systems and nutrition security.

Welcome to the Beehive is where we take a closer at partnerships that are dedicated to strengthening our food systems. Each episode dives into real-world challenges and emerging solutions that impact how we grow, share, and access food—especially in low- and middle-income countries.Hosted by the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), the podcast features honest conversations with partners from across the public, private, civil society, and research sectors.

World Food Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a call to action. But how do we move beyond awareness and turn ambition into impact? Ivo Demmers, Executive Director at the Netherlands Food Partnership, joins us to unpack the true purpose of World Food Day in the Netherlands. Spoiler: It’s not just about producing more food—it’s about transforming food systems as a whole.In this episode, Ivo shares his insights on who World Food Day is really for, why systemic change requires collaboration across sectors, and how to harness the momentum—what he calls "wind in your sail"—to drive meaningful projects and partnerships. Whether you’re a policymaker, a farmer, or simply someone who cares about the future of food, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger and act smarter. Welcome to the Beehive—because ending hunger isn’t a solo mission. It’s something we do together.

What does it take to become a seed nerd? For Ninja Lacey, Knowledge Broker at the Netherlands Food Partnership and part of SeedNL, it’s about passion, curiosity, and a deep belief in the power of seeds to transform food systems. With a background as diverse as the crops she champions, Ninja bridges the gap between science, policy, and grassroots action.In this episode, we explore Ninja’s journey—from her early fascination with seeds to leading SeedNL’s flagship projects, which are redefining biodiversity, resilience, and food security. Discover how seeds aren’t just the start of a plant, but the foundation of a movement, and learn how you can be part of sowing a more sustainable future.Tune in to The Beehive—where every seed holds a story, and every story sparks change.

Policymakers Ivo Walsmit and Simke Kruiderink on crafting policies that balance economic viability with ecological stewardship. Representing Dutch ministries, they discuss the importance of integrating biodiversity, community needs, and collaborative frameworks. Conversations with practitioners enrich the dialogue on scaling sustainable models and addressing food security and climate change. Join us to explore holistic approaches to a resilient food future.

Recorded live at World Food Day,  hosts Thomas Tichar & Tirza Hermans engage with experts like Esther Katonga, Stuart Morris, & Ayur Saleem Mithuku, who share real-world insights on balancing profitability, community support, and environmental health. Dutch policymakers Ivo Walsmit and Simkje Kruiderink add perspectives on crafting policies that interlink economic & ecological needs. Discover transformative solutions for a sustainable food future.

In this episode, we explore the Gishanda Fish Farm in Rwanda, part of the Food Tech Africa initiative. Led by Larive International and supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and SHV, the farm balances biodiversity conservation, community development, and commercial success. Through interviews with project leaders, we learn how eco-friendly aquaculture practices and local training programs improve food security, reduce overfishing, and create a sustainable model for future replication.

Today on People Planet Progress, we explore the link between socio-economic inclusion & planetary health through Uganda’s Participatory Integrated Plan for Environmental Stewardship (PIP). PIP empowers communities to balance land restoration with social and economic needs, highlighting the value of local involvement in sustainable development, climate resilience, and resource management. Emmanuel's stories from the field showcase how PIP drives long-term positive outcomes.