Consulta Europa, as communication leader of the FLIARA project, supports the dissemination of key insights from this milestone event
On January 29-30, 2025, the FLIARA project (Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas) successfully hosted its 3rd Community of Practice (CoP) in Rende, Italy, bringing together over 70 researchers, policymakers, rural innovators, and key stakeholders from across Europe. The event, organised in collaboration with the University of Calabria and the Italian CAP Rural Network, provided a platform for exchanging knowledge, shaping future policies, and strengthening networks to support women-led innovation in agriculture and rural areas.
Shaping Policies to Support Women in Rural Innovation
Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and field visits, participants explored key challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in rural and agricultural sectors. One of the central outcomes of the event was the collaborative development of policy insights, gathered from direct stakeholder engagement. The Ambassador Innovation Journey showcased the experiences of six FLIARA Innovation Ambassadors, who shared their success stories in transforming rural economies, pioneering sustainable farming practices, and leading local development initiatives.
Additionally, FLIARA project partners presented key research findings, including:
- The FLIARA Framework: Insights for Future Rural and Farm Policy, presented by Louise Weir, outlining policy directions to better support women-led innovation.
- Empowering Women for Rural Sustainability: Insights from FLIARA’s Foresight and Trend Analysis, by Tuomas Kuhmonen, exploring long-term rural development trends.
- Empowering Female-Led Innovations in Rural Europe: Insights from FLIARA’s Case Studies, presented by Silvia Sivini and Annie Roos, which highlighted real-world examples of successful women-led initiatives.
Reflecting on the significance of these discussions, Maura Farrell, FLIARA’s Project Coordinator, stated:
“Over the coming months, we aim to engage with key stakeholders and policymakers—people who are truly committed to advancing women in agriculture and rural entrepreneurship. We want to hear their perspectives, ensure they have access to FLIARA’s findings, and work together to shape policies that genuinely benefit women in the agricultural sector.”
Engaging with Rural Innovators in the Valle Crati Region
The second day of the event took participants into the Valle Crati region, where they engaged directly with women entrepreneurs driving sustainable innovation in rural areas. Among them was Rita Bilotti, leader of Serragiumenta, an agricultural estate combining organic farming, high-quality food production, and renewable energy solutions. The visit provided first-hand insights into how innovation, tradition, and sustainability can coexist to strengthen rural economies.
Participants also explored the experiences of other women-led initiatives through documentary screenings and video testimonies, including those of Sofia De Matteis (Avamposto Agricolo Autonomo) and Giulia Montepaone (We’re the South). These stories highlighted the challenges faced by women in rural entrepreneurship and demonstrated the resilience, hard work, and impact of their projects on local communities.
Expert Insights on the Future of Women in Agriculture
Several members of the FLIARA Stakeholder Advisory Board shared their perspectives on the event’s impact.
Teresa Roche, Chair of the IFA Farm Family & Social Affairs Committee, emphasised the critical need for access to finance, training in digitalisation, and stronger policy support to empower the next generation of women in agriculture. She noted that FLIARA is opening doors to funding and opportunities while also creating ambassadors who will support future female leaders in the field.
Similarly, Valentina Carta (CREA, Italy) highlighted the importance of networking and collaboration, stressing that while local initiatives exist, more needs to be done to empower women in rural areas through policy and community support.
Inge De Bo, Scientific Coordinator of EU-FarmBook, underscored the value of sharing success stories and making female-led innovation more visible and accessible through platforms like EU-FarmBook, ensuring that women’s contributions to rural development are recognised and celebrated.
Consulta Europa: Driving the Communication of FLIARA
As the communication leader of the FLIARA project, Consulta Europa plays a key role in ensuring that the insights, discussions, and outcomes of events like this CoP reach a wider audience. Through strategic dissemination efforts, Consulta Europa supports the project’s mission of empowering women in rural areas and ensuring that their innovations contribute to long-term, sustainable rural development.
The 3rd Community of Practice in Rende reinforced the need for inclusive policies, strong networks, and continued collaboration to support women-led innovation in rural areas. With this momentum, FLIARA will continue to bridge research and action, shaping a future where women innovators drive sustainable and thriving rural communities across Europe.
For more information, visit www.fliara.eu.