What, when and who?
“Gyvi Gali” was established in 2021 to seek dietary changes in Lithuania. We understand that a strong strategy is needed if we want to overcome the obstacles that arise when we try to make plant-based diets more accessible to everyone.
Background and goals
Our mission: We strive to ensure that delicious, animal-friendly, sustainable, and healthy plant-based foods are easily accessible to everyone in Lithuania.
Our vision: Plant-based food is the number one choice for people, businesses, and institutions.
Increasing the accessibility of plant-based nutrition is the core activity axis of “Gyvi Gali”. We see this process holistically and strive for change by carrying out our activities in three main directions: educating the public, cooperating with businesses, and promoting changes at the institutional level.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
The concept of a plant-based diet is still very new in Lithuania, with no unified movement or organisations working towards a public nutritional change. For this reason, there is a lack of reliable information about the principles and benefits of plant-based nutrition in the country, and various myths are still prevalent. To promote plant-based nutrition, we understand that first, we must form and consolidate a favourable public attitude. We do this through education - learning about foods that are more favourable for animals, the climate, and personal health encourages people to make personal dietary changes and accept market innovations more openly.
WORKING WITH BUSINESSES
Businesses are vital players in increasing the accessibility of plant-based foods. They have great resources to disseminate information and the power to shape consumer needs. The more plant-based products/dishes there are in the marketplace, the more the social pressure to eat animal food diminishes and the vegan diet is normalised. For these reasons, we are constantly looking for opportunities to cooperate with businesses: creating joint projects promoting plant-based food, looking for ways to reach the target audience, etc. Currently, we are the only organisation in Lithuania that actively consults companies on plant-based issues and encourages them to get involved in popularising vegan nutrition.
INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
The state strongly subsidises animal farmers, thus creating unfavourable conditions for existing and prospective plant-based food producers and suppliers. At the same time, the basis of catering in public institutions (schools, kindergardens, hospitals, the army, etc.) is almost exclusively animal product-based dishes. Such circumstances become a big obstacle for society to transition smoothly to a plant-based diet. Therefore, it is our goal that plant-based food businesses have favourable development opportunities with the support of state institutions. At the same time, the users of public services can choose healthy, high-quality, and diverse plant-based food.
Learning together
What is innovative about your initiative?
We are the only non-profit organisation in Lithuania working on dietary change towards plant-based eating.
What hurdles and obstacles did you encounter along your way and how did you deal with them?
The biggest challenge is the entrenched business of agriculture and its strong lobbying effect, which hinders the progress of society, businesses, and politicians. The path we see is an attempt to inform the public, businesses, and politicians about alternatives that do not require compromise in taste, health, environmental protection, or animal welfare.
What have you had particularly good experiences with? What recommendations would you like to share with other actors?
We have strong networking skills, which helps us to build a great network. Because of that, we get lots of professional support in different kinds of areas.
Never eat alone and never be afraid of saying a short Hi! You can never know where it can lead.
Where do you see yourself/your organisation in a few years? How do you rate your future prospects?
We believe that our organisation will eventually become the go-to source for alternative protein, and plant-based nutrition issues for the public, media, businesses, and politicians. We want to be part of a growing movement and shape the narrative of how it is seen in our country.
What are your demands for politicians?
That plant-based milk would be added to the School Scheme program; children would have a plant-based option for their school lunch; in the public events organised by the government food would be served fully plant-based.
Exchange and support
Are you involved in one or more networks or partnerships?
Yes, we are a part of Global Plant-Based School Food Network, Challenge22 community, V-Label partnership, and some more smaller networks.
Contact
Organization: Gyvi Gali
E-mail: info@gyvigali.lt
This project presentation is licensed under the following CC license: CC-BY - Attribution