History
The organization “New Agriculture New Generation” aims to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in the agrifood sector in Greece. It was established with the initiative and founding grant of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) within the framework of the SNF’s Recharging the Youth Initiative. Since 2018, it has benefited more than 30,000 young people, implementing human resource development programs and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Greece.
The initiative began in 2018, led by Rutgers University (the state university of New Jersey), in collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens and the American Farm School. In October 2020, the initiative was converted into a Greek civil, non-profit company, embracing the entire Greek Agrifood ecosystem. At the same time, the organization has expanded its network of partners, stakeholders, supporters and donors with the aim of strengthening its long-term sustainability, while maintaining close cooperation with Rutgers University as its strategic and technical advisor. The SNF still remains the lead supporter of New Agriculture New Generation, actively empowering most of the organization’s flagship programs.
In May 2018, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) announced a landmark grant of $27,477,000 to support this major initiative New Agriculture for a New Generation that aims to help revitalize one of Greece’s most critical sectors—agriculture—by training and developing a new generation of farmers and inspiring agriculture and food entrepreneurs.
The grant is part of SNF’s Recharging the Youth $136 million initiative that unfolded at the height of Greece’s socioeconomic crisis to help create meaningful employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed young people.
“The starting point of this landmark initiative was our desire to help as many young people as possible with employment opportunities within Greece’s agricultural and food sectors, with the aim to boost its chances to become the growth, development and innovation engine that it should be”.
Andreas Dracopoulos, SNF Co-President
A few words about the Stavros Niarchos Foundation:
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation [(SNF) (www.SNF.org)] is one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare. Since 1996, SNF has committed more than $3.7 billion through over 5,400 grants in 134 countries around the world. SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact for society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The Foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means for serving public welfare.
Rutgers University
Technical and Strategic Advisor
With its longstanding experience in the Agrifood sector, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is serving as Technical and Strategic Advisor for the implementation of strategic and operational activities for New Agriculture New Generation.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 71,000 students and 23,600 faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Newark, Rutgers University-Camden, and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.
Our vision
We are a catalyst for innovation in the Agrifood ecosystem in Greece. We enable empowerment of youth and support the revitalization of the sector through strategic initiatives.
Our mission
We create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship among youth to support and advance the Greek Agrifood sector. We build capacity, expand advisory networks, nurture innovation, support business development, and encourage collaboration and dialogue.
