Food insecurity and inequalities in access to culture among young Europeans : A Persistent issue

The situation is alarming: did you know that 2.3 billion people worldwide face food insecurity ? According to a UN report, hunger is on the rise, affecting up to 828 million people in 2021, those suffering from chronic undernourishment.

The arrival of COVID-19, referred to as the sixth crisis of the 21st century, further worsened this situation. Indeed, in just one year, the number of people suffering from hunger increased by 46 million, and by 150 million since the start of the pandemic.

However, food is not the only concern. Access to culture is also marked by deep inequalities. Several reports from the European Commission highlight that many young Europeans face obstacles to participating in cultural activities, whether due to financial, social, or geographical reasons.

Contrary to popular belief, Europe is not spared from food insecurity. Even more worrying, in 2020, nearly 7 million Europeans were in a situation of severe food insecurity.

How do food insecurity and inequalities in access to cultural activities Impact the physical and mental health of young people in Europe?

Defining the issues

Food insecurity refers to the situation of people who do not have guaranteed access to sufficient food in terms of both quantity and quality.

As for inequalities in access to culture, they mainly affect young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who cannot afford to participate in activities such as school trips, museum visits, theater performances, or other leisure activities, often due to financial constraints.

Causes of Food Insecurity and Cultural Inequalities

The causes of these phenomena are multiple: social status, origin, environment, and geographical area. For example, a low level of education is often linked to a greater vulnerability to poverty. In France, 39% of students experiencing precarious conditions report feeling lonely often, compared to only 19% of the general population.

The situation is even more concerning in some European countries. In Bulgaria, although the prevalence of undernourishment is estimated at 2.5%, many young people remain vulnerable. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these difficulties, leading to job losses and decreased incomes.

Regional inequalities in Italy are striking: the proportion of young people aged 15 to 29 who are neither in employment, education, nor training (NEET) is one of the highest in Europe. In 2021, this rate reached 23.1%, while the European average was 13.1%.

Precarity also affects countries like Germany, which, despite being wealthy, sees 18% of its population at risk of poverty. Testimonies collected by Arte show that, for many, having enough to eat has become a luxury.

People living in rural areas also face significant challenges, such as a lack of transportation to reach food distribution centers or leisure venues. The testimonies collected by Arte are striking:

“No activities, no culture, no space to work because there are no resources.“

“Poverty deprives people of their dignity, adults of hope, and children of prospects.”

This is a reality also found in Italy, Bulgaria, and even Ukraine, where the war has further exacerbated these difficulties.

Consequences of Food Insecurity and Inequalities in Access to Culture

In the short term, food insecurity leads to fatigue, concentration difficulties, and significant social isolation. Young people often avoid their peers and social activities, such as school trips, “out of shame for their financial situation“. This can result in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

In the long term, these difficulties cause nutritional deficiencies and physical health problems. For instance, iron deficiency, which is common among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, can have severe health consequences. Moreover, social isolation due to the lack of access to cultural or educational activities prevents young people from fully developing.

Solutions

For the Solutions section, I have added a part on food security, a recently launched project in France. I am therefore sharing the full section with you:

“Let’s create a level playing field”

To reduce these inequalities, it would be interesting to draw inspiration from the French model, which offers many initiatives:

• €1 meals in French university restaurants, allowing students to have balanced meals at a reduced price, regardless of their scholarship status.
• The Culture Pass and Youth Pass, which give young people access to a variety of cultural activities at reduced prices, or even for free. These programs enable them to discover cultural experiences, avoid isolation, and foster social connections.
• The 18-25 program, which helps young people go on vacation with a financial aid of €200.
• A prepaid card for students, credited with €40 per month for scholarship recipients and €20 for non-scholarship students, usable in food stores.

Towards More Accessible Food for All

Beyond these measures targeted at young people, broader projects are also emerging, such as the Food Social Security (SSA) initiative.

This initiative aims to ensure fair access to quality food, inspired by the Social Security model. It is based on three fundamental principles:

• Universality of the right to food

• Funding through social contributions

• Democratic regulation of producers and distributors

If this project were to be generalized, it would allow everyone to have dignified and sustainable access to quality food.

Concrete Experiments in France

Several experiments have already been conducted to implement this concept:

• In Gironde, a “Food Vital Card” has been introduced in four areas, including Bordeaux and Bègles, allowing 400 households to access selected local products, with an estimated budget of €150 per month.
• In Montpellier, a similar initiative was launched to ensure better food access for the most disadvantaged.

These initiatives demonstrate that it is possible to take concrete action to reduce inequalities in access to both culture and healthy food.

Key Takeaways

Social inequalities, whether related to food or cultural access, are deep-rooted problems that affect all countries, including those considered wealthy. Every child should have the same opportunities in life.
Poverty has multiple causes and can impact anyone. It robs people of their dignity, adults of hope, and children of prospects. We should take inspiration from countries that have already implemented effective initiatives. The children of today will shape the world of tomorrow. A reality that deserves reflection.