Wouter Waayer wins Vegan Award for inspira­tion

Wouter Waayer, who grew up on a farm in Twente, has been named ‘Most Inspiring Person’ by the public at the annual Vegan Awards, hosted by the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Veganisme (NVV). On November 1, he accepted the award at a lively Karma Kebab event in Utrecht. For Waayer, the award was an unexpected honor: “I could never have imagined this a few years ago,” he says.

From calf farm to veganism

Until a few years ago, Waayer helped on his parents' calf farm, where they raised 240 calves for slaughter. His decision to become vegan came as he became increasingly aware of what the industry meant for the animals. “Everything I’ve seen in the livestock industry has made me who I am today,” he explains. But simply being vegan didn’t feel like enough. His unique background inspired him to reach others and encourage them to eat more plant-based foods.

Raising awareness online

Through candid videos on social media, Waayer shares his experiences and background, now reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers. For him, it’s about offering an alternative perspective to young people in rural areas. “I want to show that you don’t have to make the same choices as your parents,” he says. His parents are supportive of his efforts; before the award ceremony, they sent him an encouraging message.

Since 2010, the NVV has annually awarded the Vegan Awards to spotlight vegan initiatives, innovations, and entrepreneurs. Previous winners have included the book Onder de Beesten by Jeroen Siebelink and Albert Heijn’s Terra product line.

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