Welcome to the 5th edition of the FLIARA Newsletter! The FLIARA Project (Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas) continues to spotlight the power of women-led innovation to transform rural Europe. Over the past months, we have celebrated the success of our Community of Practice (CoP) events in Italy and Sweden, launched the FLIARA Toolkit, and intensified preparations for our Final Conference.

These milestones mark a decisive step forward in fostering collaboration among innovators, policymakers, and stakeholders to co-create pathways for sustainable rural development and gender equality.

 

At the heart of our work is a clear goal: shaping policy recommendations that reflect the lived experiences of rural women and their innovations—contributing directly to the EU’s Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas.

Catch up on the latest project outputs and knowledge products, from the dynamic discussions during our Italy and Sweden CoP events and webinars to the launch of the FLIARA Toolkit. These events brought diverse voices together—farmers, researchers, NGOs, and policymakers—to collaborate on real-world solutions grounded in the needs of women and their communities.

Organised in collaboration with the University of Calabria and the Italian CAP Rural Network, the event provided a vital platform for policy discussions, research insights, and knowledge exchange, fostering stronger support systems for women-led innovation in rural and agricultural sectors. Six of FLIARA’s 20 Innovation Ambassadors were spotlighted, sharing their experiences of leading transformative projects in different European contexts.

The event in Växjö, Sweden served as a vital platform, uniting rural and agricultural women innovators, policymakers, key stakeholders, and consortium members representing the ten nations involved in the FLIARA project. The meeting hosted by the Linnaeus University fostered the exchange of knowledge and insights surrounding the innovative approaches employed by women who are driving progress in rural and agricultural sectors. 

On March 27, 2025, The FLIARA Project held an online event, “Empowering Rural Communities: Gender Equality and Innovation in Action,” convening leading researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to delve into the crucial intersection of gender equality, rural development, and innovation. The webinar spotlighted the pivotal role women play in shaping sustainable rural economies while addressing the persistent barriers they face, including limited access to land and financial resources, gender biases, and gaps in training and policy support.

On April 30th, the FLIARA project hosted a high-level online webinar bringing together EU-level experts, business developers, academia, and rural innovators to explore ways to improve access to funding for women in agriculture and rural communities. The webinar formed part of FLIARA’s effort to connect stakeholders and promote a more inclusive and supportive innovation ecosystem.

Developed as a dynamic and user-friendly platform, the Toolkit compiles the knowledge, methodologies, and findings generated throughout the FLIARA project. It is designed to support a broad range of stakeholders—from female innovators and rural organisations to policymakers, educators, and researchers—by offering accessible tools for knowledge transfer, capacity building, and sustainable rural development.

FLIARA is pleased to announce the availability of its draft practice abstracts (first batch), showcasing 10 compelling examples of women-led innovations across European farming and rural communities.

These abstracts are currently in draft form and pending formal approval by the European Commission, but they are accessible now to provide an early look at the project's significant findings.

A recent article by Maura Farrell et al., drawing on the EU-funded FLIARA project, emphasises the crucial role of women-led innovations in building resilient and sustainable rural communities. These distinct innovations offer transformative solutions for rural development, sustainability, and gender equality. The article advocates for increased policy support, recognising women's unique potential to drive a thriving rural future.

This Slovenian article details the FLIARA project, highlighting the crucial role of women in fostering resilient and sustainable rural communities across Europe. The University of Ljubljana's Faculty of Arts is a key Slovenian partner, exploring how women's unique innovative practices can drive rural development and achieve gender equality. The article covers the project's work in identifying these innovations, supporting women innovators, and developing policy recommendations.

The findings of FLIARA are featured in the latest issue (No. 26) of the esteemed journal European Public Mosaic (EPuM), published by the School of Public Administration of Catalonia (EAPC). The special monograph, titled “Rural World”, delves into the present and future of rural development across Europe, addressing critical issues such as territorial balance, generational succession, and economic and environmental sustainability.

Women in Agriculture: A Key Topic Discussed with MEPs Visiting the West of Ireland

A delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee visited Ireland from February 24th to 26th, 2025, to assess the impact of EU cohesion funds in the North West and Midlands regions. Their visit highlighted the importance of supporting local development and fostering innovation in rural communities in the region.

Women Step into Farming: Celebrating Women in Irish Agriculture

Women Step into Farming, was organised by the delegation of the European Commission Representation in Ireland in collaboration with the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine to mark International Women’s Day 2025. The event highlighted the achievements of women in the sector while also shedding light on the barriers that persist in achieving gender equality within agriculture.

FLIARA Joined Irish International Women’s Day Agricultural Empowerment Event

The Agricultural Science Association and Macra’s joint International Women’s Day lunch event, held at the Lawlor’s Hotel in Co.Kildare, Ireland, focusing on empowerment and progress in agriculture, saw a strong presence from the FLIARA project.

FLIARA General Assembly: Partners Reflect on Key Achievements and Future Policy Impact

On March 13, 2025, the FLIARA project hosted its 3rd General Assembly online, bringing together all partners and members of the Stakeholder Advisory Board  to discuss progress, share results, and outline the path ahead.

Slovenian Ministry Celebrates FLIARA Stories of Rural Innovation

On March 14, 2025, a compelling exhibition illuminating the often-overlooked contributions of women in Slovenia’s rural communities opened at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, showcasing their innovative spirit and vital role in sustainable development.

GRASS CEILING Project’s European Policy Forum Highlights EU Funds’ Role in Supporting Rural Women

The European Policy Forum, a part of the GRASS CEILING project facilitated discussions on building stronger and more inclusive public support mechanisms for the post-2027 programming period on March 24, 2025. 

Slovenian Innovators Highlight Gender Dynamics and Sustainable Solutions in Rural Areas at University of Ljubljana Roundtable

Four inspiring Slovenian female innovators and social entrepreneurs, deeply rooted in rural Slovenia, shared their journeys and insights on the challenges and advantages of being women in agriculture and rural areas during a lively roundtable discussion held on March 18th, 2025. 

FLIARA Research Presented at International Entrepreneurship Conference Highlights Rural Support System Mismatches

Findings from the FLIARA project were recently presented at the prestigious 10th Annual Entrepreneurship as Practice Conference held at Jönköping International Business School in Sweden. The presentation, focused on critical mismatches within the Swedish rural business support system as it pertains to women entrepreneurs.

FLIARA Project Powers Forward in Its Final Year: Policy, Innovation, and Impact at the Forefront

As the FLIARA Project enters its final stretch, the consortium continues to demonstrate unwavering momentum through impactful activities, strategic collaboration, and meaningful outcomes across Europe. The FLIARA Link meeting celebrated on April 24, 2025 was a testament to this ongoing drive, celebrating recent achievements while laying the groundwork for key deliverables and the upcoming final conference.

Webinar Explores Innovation and Gender Equality as Cornerstones of Sustainable Rural Development in Sweden

On May 6th, 2025 the Swedish partners of the FLIARA project organised a compelling webinar. This online gathering brought together researchers, community actors, and other stakeholders to examine the future trajectory of rural areas in Sweden, with a specific lens on sustainability, innovation, and the critical aspect of gender equality.

FLIARA Project Represented at Irish Sociology Conference Panel on Gender Equality in Agriculture and Rural Ireland

FLIARA project participated in a timely and insightful panel discussion at the Sociological Association of Ireland’s annual conference held at University College Cork on May 8th. The panel, titled “Changing the Gender (In)equality Landscape in Agriculture and Rural Areas in Ireland: Challenges, Innovations and Opportunities”, was led by Dr Muireann Prendergast, Postdoctoral Researcher with the GRASS CEILING project at SETU, Waterford.

FLIARA Project Connects with Key Stakeholders at Mountbellew Shearfest 2025 in Galway, Ireland

The European and Connacht Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, Shearfest 2025, which took place from May 31st to June 1st, 2025, served as a significant opportunity for the FLIARA Project to engage with key stakeholders in Ireland. The event, which drew elite competitors from across the globe, also hosted important discussions on empowering farm women and fostering a sustainable rural future.

FLIARA Highlights Gender Policy in Rural Entrepreneurship at International Conference

Dr Aisling Murtagh, postdoctoral researcher with the FLIARA Project at the University of Galway, played a key role in the 22nd annual Rural Entrepreneurship Conference, held from June 3rd to 5th 2025 in Wales. The conference, themed “Community, Creativity and Liveability: Supporting the Wellbeing of Resilient Rural Communities through Sustainable Entrepreneurship”, brought together academics, practitioners, and policymakers.

FLIARA Project Shines a Spotlight on Women in Agriculture at Organic Field Days 2025

The fifth national Öko-Feldtage (Organic Field Days) 2025, held from June 18th to 19th at the Wassergut Canitz GmbH organic farm, provided a vital platform for showcasing innovation and fostering discussions in organic agriculture in the state of Saxony, Germany. Among the key contributors was Felicia van Tulder, FLIARA Project Partner in Germany, who highlighted the crucial work carried out through the project’s case studies among key stakeholders.

The FLIARA project is bringing together 20 ambassadors selected from 200 women leading innovative practices across 10 European countries. We spoke with four inspiring ambassadors—M.Sc. Alžbeta Nagyová, Ph.D. (Czech Republic), Saša Kržič (Slovenia), Natalia Díaz (Spain), and Blátnaid Gallagher (Ireland)—to explore their innovation journeys and the impact of FLIARA on their work.

The vital role of women’s entrepreneurship in fostering resilient economies across the European Union’s rural, island, and outermost regions took centre stage on June 25, 2025 at a public hearing convened by the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), with the participation of the Committee on Agriculture. The session, aimed at exploring effective strategies to empower women entrepreneurs, featured an insightful presentation from Maura Farrell, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor at the University of Galway and Project Coordinator of the FLIARA Project.

New study examines policy and legal frameworks for female-led rural innovation

The publication reveals that existing mechanisms, such as grants and low-interest loans, often fail to address the unique challenges faced by female innovators. Additionally, policy and legal frameworks do not take women’s entrepreneurial approaches into account, particularly in collaborative business models, knowledge-based services, or social entrepreneurship. 

FLIARA: Challenging stereotypes about women in farming

The FLIARA visibility campaign is a strategic effort designed to advocate for women in innovation, share success stories, strengthen networks, and drive policy reform. Ambassadors raise awareness of the challenges and achievements of female entrepreneurs in rural settings. By showcasing innovative practices and resilience, the campaign serves as a model for aspiring rural innovators. 

 

Academia, policymakers and the farming sector meet to discuss gender equality

On March 27, 2025, FLIARA hosted a groundbreaking online event titled “Empowering Rural Communities: Gender Equality and Innovation in Action.” The webinar brought together a diverse panel of researchers, policymakers, and rural entrepreneurs to explore the vital links between gender equality, rural development, and innovation.

 

 

The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, innovation support actors, and civil society stakeholders to spotlight the critical role of women in shaping the future of rural areas and sustainable farming. Taking place during Rural Women’s Week, the conference will serve as a forum to reflect on the role of women in shaping sustainable futures in farming and rural areas.

As FLIARA enters its final phase, the project is focused on translating its research and fieldwork into concrete tools, policy inputs, and inspirational content. The project teams is now preparing a series of key deliverables that aim to support decision-makers and rural innovators alike.

 

Coming soon:

• A set of Policy Briefs and a comprehensive Policy Booklet offering actionable recommendations for gender-sensitive and sustainable rural policy;
• A Gender-Specific Guide to Female-Led Innovation in Farming and Rural Areas, offering insights and strategies to foster inclusive innovation;
• A Benchmarking Report on gender policies and practices across Europe’s rural landscapes
• The project’s Final Exploitation Strategy, to ensure the long-term relevance and usability of FLIARA’s outputs;
• A series of videos and podcasts showcasing the inspiring journeys of women innovators identified during the project;
• The Participatory Scenario Development Report, envisioning future pathways for women-led rural transformation.

Because representation matters — and when women see themselves reflected in innovation, leadership, and policy, they are more likely to step forward, create, and lead. As Marian Wright Edelman said,

“If you can see it, you can be it.”

Through the stories, tools, and collaborations built by FLIARA, we’re helping shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future for rural areas across Europe.

 

Stay tuned for our Final Conference, where we will bring together our partners, rural innovators, and policymakers to reflect on our journey and chart the way forward. Be sure to register today.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.