EIT Food and the PepsiCo Foundation have launched Future Harvest, a new European programme designed to support young and next-generation farmers as the sector faces an ageing workforce and mounting pressure from climate change, rising costs and market volatility.

The initiative will reach around 900 young farmers in 2026 and will be rolled out across Spain, the Netherlands, France, Türkiye and Poland.

Future Harvest has been created in response to the sharp decline in generational renewal across European agriculture. According to European Commission and Eurostat data cited by EIT Food, only around 11 per cent of farm managers in Europe are under the age of 40.

The programme will focus on helping young farmers build viable, resilient and future-ready farming operations, particularly across small and medium-sized farms where economic and climate pressures are most acute.

Funded by the PepsiCo Foundation and implemented by EIT Food alongside local partners, Future Harvest will combine online learning with hands-on, farm-based experiences.

Participants will follow a tailored learning pathway covering regenerative and climate-resilient farming, digital tools, agritech, farm business management, entrepreneurship and leadership.

The programme will also include the Future Harvest FarmHub, which will offer farm clinics, field visits, peer exchange and mentoring. EIT Food said this would help participants connect with innovation networks and practical expertise that can be applied directly to their own farms.

PepsiCo Foundation president and PepsiCo senior vice president of global social impact Monica Bauer said “As a food and beverage company, PepsiCo’s connection to agriculture is fundamental.

“The ingredients in PepsiCo’s products start with farmers and farming families who are facing growing pressure, from rising costs to climate uncertainty.

“Through the PepsiCo Foundation, we aim to support initiatives like Future Harvest that are rooted in local realities and delivered with trusted partners, helping farming communities build resilience and opportunity over time.”

EIT Food said Future Harvest would be built around a shared European framework but delivered locally in each participating country to reflect national farming challenges and market conditions.

EIT Food chief executive Richard Zaltman said “Europe’s farming future depends on whether the next generation sees agriculture as a place to build, innovate and lead.

“That is why we are teaming up with the PepsiCo Foundation to give young farmers the skills, confidence and networks to regenerate the land, strengthen their businesses and shape a more resilient food system.”

Future Harvest will run from June to December, with participation opportunities opening in 2026. Details on eligibility and application timelines will be published by EIT Food and its programme partners.