What is plant-based protein? Why is it important? And how will it change the way we eat? Join Ashoka Fellow, and co-founder of Proveg International, Tobias Leenaert for a brief overview of society’s need to evolve towards a plant-based food system and some insights on the protein shift that is currently taking place among consumers, producers, retail, and investors in Belgium and around the world.

The Ethical Vegetarian Associationor EVA are the first vegetarian organisation to receive structural government subsidies. They work in different ways to increase the production and consumption of vegan foods, replacing foods of animal origin. In this way, EVA contribute to a society that respects humans, animals and the environment.

Tobias Leenaert is a 36 year-old entrepreneur from Ghent. After studying Germanic philology and Comparative Cultural Sciences, he founded EVA in 2000 where he worked as a volunteer for the first few years while working as an IT teacher. It’s only after a three-month introspection in South America and two external directors that Tobias decided it was time to take his place as director at EVA. The evolution of Tobias has been quite remarkable from a rather shy boy, he developed into a person full of creative ideas, with the confidence to launch these ideas, and to make them real. He also evolved from a die-hard vegetarian into someone who focuses on change, and goes for the middle ground where impact is maximal. He intends to remain director for a long time to come, but wants to dedicate more time on the vision, the strategy, and the development of the organisation so that it may grow to its fullest potential.