1. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org

2. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
5 | Rural Youth Stewards
2

3. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Young people who migrate to urban
centers in search of jobs often get stuck in
downward spirals of unemployment.
Complicating the matter is the slow but sure
process of much needed farmers moving out
of rural communities. Incentivizing the
unemployed, especially unemployed youth, to
take up farming jobs—perhaps in temporary
shifts—could lead to efficient use of fallow
land, increased food output, and decreased
unemployment.
3
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

4. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Getting more people back into farming was a major topic throughout game
play. Ideas ranged from giving away five acres of idle land for five years to those
willing to farm it, to expanding our understanding of land farming to the ocean,
promoting biocultural revitalization, and providing supplementary income during off
seasons. Other players provided examples of methods already in use, such as
usufruct, an arrangement that provides access to unused or damaged land for
productive use in the Philippines. If we add a particular focus on youth to these
initiatives, the positive impact on unemployment and food insecurity could be even
more substantial.
4
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | From the Players
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

5. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 5
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them
2*
Kenya**
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability
**Player location was self selected

6. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 6
In the Philippines, we employ
usufruct. long-term use
schemes, and stewardship
rights so that idle land can be
tapped to help rural poor.
Philippines
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them 2
Kenya

7. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 7
Using the sea as farming
resource will help combat food
shortages. encourage
investment in innovative sea
food technologies
Russia
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them 2
Kenya
In the Philippines, we employ
usufruct. long-term use
schemes, and stewardship
rights so that idle land can be
tapped to help rural poor.
Philippines

8. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 8
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them 2
Kenya
In the Philippines, we employ
usufruct. long-term use
schemes, and stewardship
rights so that idle land can be
tapped to help rural poor.
Philippines
Using the sea as farming
resource will help combat
food shortages. encourage
investment in innovative sea
food technologies
Russia
I had a similar idea, creating
supplementary income
activities for those in
farming/fishing communities to
cope with off season.
India

9. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 9
Biocultural revitalization. ie:
the Potato Park in Peru protect
crop diversity and farming
practices in a sacred
landscape & reclaim land
South Africa
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them 2
Kenya
In the Philippines, we employ
usufruct. long-term use
schemes, and stewardship
rights so that idle land can be
tapped to help rural poor.
Philippines
Using the sea as farming
resource will help combat
food shortages. encourage
investment in innovative sea
food technologies
Russia
I had a similar idea, creating
supplementary income
activities for those in
farming/fishing communities
to cope with off season.
India

10. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 10
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them 2
Kenya
In the Philippines, we employ
usufruct. long-term use
schemes, and stewardship
rights so that idle land can be
tapped to help rural poor.
Philippines
Using the sea as farming
resource will help combat
food shortages. encourage
investment in innovative sea
food technologies
Russia
I had a similar idea, creating
supplementary income
activities for those in
farming/fishing communities
to cope with off season.
India
Biocultural revitalization. ie:
the Potato Park in Peru
protect crop diversity and
farming practices in a sacred
landscape & reclaim land
South Africa
I'd love to see a 5 acre give
away to families willing to farm
it for 5 years.
USA

11. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 11
Developing the agricultural
capacity and skills of the youth
in rural areas of West Africa
and preventing urban drift can
be a new way
Nigeria
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them 2
Kenya
In the Philippines, we employ
usufruct. long-term use
schemes, and stewardship
rights so that idle land can be
tapped to help rural poor.
Philippines
Using the sea as farming
resource will help combat
food shortages. encourage
investment in innovative sea
food technologies
Russia
I had a similar idea, creating
supplementary income
activities for those in
farming/fishing communities
to cope with off season.
India
Biocultural revitalization. ie:
the Potato Park in Peru
protect crop diversity and
farming practices in a sacred
landscape & reclaim land
South Africa
I'd love to see a 5 acre give
away to families willing to
farm it for 5 years.
USA

12. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 12
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban areas read cities. In
Kenya most youth migrated 2
cities in search of work. I
suggest we move 2 rural areas
or other towns 2 develop them 2
Kenya
In the Philippines, we employ
usufruct. long-term use
schemes, and stewardship
rights so that idle land can be
tapped to help rural poor.
Philippines
Using the sea as farming
resource will help combat
food shortages. encourage
investment in innovative sea
food technologies
Russia
I had a similar idea, creating
supplementary income
activities for those in
farming/fishing communities
to cope with off season.
India
Biocultural revitalization. ie:
the Potato Park in Peru
protect crop diversity and
farming practices in a sacred
landscape & reclaim land
South Africa
Developing the agricultural
capacity and skills of the
youth in rural areas of West
Africa and preventing urban
drift can be a new way
Nigeria
I'd love to see a 5 acre give
away to families willing to
farm it for 5 years.
USA

13. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Signals from the Present
13
5 | Rural Youth Stewards

14. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 14
Peru, the original home of the potato,
hosts the Potato Park, which boasts
extreme biodiversity with upwards of
4,000 varieties of potatoes. The Potato
Park also supports 3,880 inhabitants.
Ocean Approved
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Signals from the Present
Peru’s Potato Park
Image Source: www.oceanapproved.com/
Image Source: www.ourworld.unu.edu/en/the-thriving-biodiversity-of-peru-
potato-park/
Ocean Approved is the first commercial
kelp farmer in the United States. Their
website boasts, “Kelp farming allows us to
grow a highly nutritious food without the
use of fresh water, arable land or
fertilizers.”

15. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 15
B-BOVID
B-BOVID, an agro-business, works in rural Ghana and is based
on a strong industry–rural community partnership. To engage
more people in farming, they provide training in modern
communication technologies, allowing young farmers to stay in
sync with the city. B-BOVID also hires an entire community via a
local chief, making it possible for women normally left out of
formal employment to seek income.
5 | Rural Youth Stewards | Signals from the Present
Image Source: www.bbovid.com
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation

16. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org