On the rolling green hills of Slovenia’s Primorska region, a modest former military guardhouse has been transformed into something extraordinary: a thriving hub of solidarity, learning, and global cooperation. At its heart is Petra Matos, a geographer whose life mission is as clear as the summer skies that stretch above her community project, Park Istra. […]
Petra Matos: Planting Seeds of Solidarity in Rural Slovenia Read More »
On the slopes of Santa Caterina dello Ionio in Italy, where the Ionian breeze carries stories of ancient rural life, Sofia De Matteis is rewriting the script of innovation—not with machines or silicon chips, but with donkeys, wild artichokes, and a feminist compass. Originally from Sicily, Sofia’s journey took her from the narrow alleys of
Rooted in Resistance: The Feminist Farm of Sofia De Matteis Read More »
Early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland are being invited to apply for the eleventh cycle of the ACORNS programme, a peer-support initiative backed by Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Applications are open until midnight on Monday, 22 September 2025. The ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups) initiative is designed to
A new guide published by the SWIFT Project is calling for the adoption of Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) as a tool to make European agricultural policies more inclusive and fair. The report, How-to Manual on Gender Responsive Budgeting and Agricultural Policies, argues that the current agricultural system not only mirrors but also reinforces deep-rooted inequalities,
New Guide Calls for Gender-Responsive Budgeting to Transform European Agriculture Read More »
In the heart of Baden-Württemberg, where fertile fields stretch towards the foothills of the Alps and the breeze carries a hint of Lake Constance’s freshness, an agricultural transformation is quietly taking root. At its centre stands Linda Kelly — organic farmer, innovator, and award-winning entrepreneur — who, alongside her husband and parents, is redefining the
From Lupins to Leadership: The Rural Innovation of Linda Kelly Read More »
Across Europe, the contributions of women in agriculture and rural development are increasingly recognised as fundamental to sustainable regional growth. The FLIARA project is at the forefront of efforts to create a supportive ecosystem that empowers women as key drivers of progress in these vital sectors. FLIARA, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, is dedicated
Nestled in the rugged hills of Icod de los Vinos in northern Tenerife, Spain, a quiet revolution is unfolding—one led not with banners or slogans, but with beeswax and resilience. Natalia DÃaz, biologist and ecological beekeeper, is the woman behind Ecoalpispa and La Abejera, two intertwined ventures that are redefining rural innovation, one eco-wrapping at
A Buzz of Change: Natalia DÃaz and the Rural Revolution of Ecoalpispa Read More »
Brussels, Belgium – June 25, 2025 – The vital role of women’s entrepreneurship in fostering resilient economies across the European Union’s rural, island, and outermost regions took centre stage today 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 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
FLIARA Project Shines a Spotlight on Women in Agriculture at Organic Field Days 2025 Read More »
The European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) have officially launched the 2026 edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators. This prestigious joint initiative champions women entrepreneurs who are making a tangible impact through their groundbreaking innovations, whether they’re addressing climate change, advancing healthcare, or redefining the digital
Applications Open for the 2026 European Prize for Women Innovators! Read More »
