Speakers

• Anastasia Oprea Anastasia Oprea, FLIARA Community of Practice, ECOLISE
  

  Anastasia Oprea

  Anastasia Oprea, FLIARA Community of Practice, ECOLISE

  Anastasia is a dynamic Project Manager for the FLIARA project at the European Network for Community-Led Initiatives (ECOLISE), a key partner in the initiative. Her expertise extends to the Fundraising Circle at ECOLISE, where she actively contributes to Horizon project proposal writing. Drawing on her background as a PhD student and researcher in international politics – with a focus on everyday practices in ecovillages, European citizenship, and food justice – Anastasia is poised to revitalise the Learn circle. Her unique perspective, shaped by Eastern European and feminist lenses, drives her commitment to integrating environmental and social justice into her work through insightful situational analyses.

• Eleftherios Stavropoulos Eleftherios Stavropoulos, Joint Research Centre of the EU, European Commission
  

  Eleftherios Stavropoulos

  Eleftherios Stavropoulos, Joint Research Centre of the EU, European Commission

  Eleftherios (Terry) Stavropoulos brings extensive expertise in EU regional policy to his current role at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the EU, where he focuses on territorial and urban development. His contributions are particularly relevant for LAGs and rural areas, as he actively participates in projects such as the Rural Tool Kit and Start Up Villages. Terry’s deep understanding of the policy landscape stems from six years at DG REGIO, where he was a key member of the team that prepared the LTVRA. During his time there, he specialised in areas critical to territorial cohesion, including Territorial Impact Assessments, and addressing the specific needs of rural, insular, mountainous, and sparsely populated areas, as well as the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

  Join Mr Stavropoulos as he introduces the Rural Toolkit, a comprehensive e-guide serving as your key to understanding EU funding and support opportunities for rural areas across the European Union. This invaluable resource aims to guide local authorities, institutions, stakeholders, businesses, and individuals in identifying and accessing the EU funds, programmes, and initiatives necessary to foster sustainable development in rural territories.

• Fábio Santos Business Development and Incubation Manager
  

  Fábio Santos

  Business Development and Incubation Manager

  Fábio André Mestre dos Santos is the Coordinator of Incubation and Business Development at TERINOV. With a background in Marketing, Communication, and Public Relations, he has extensive experience in supporting entrepreneurs, business incubation, and knowledge transfer initiatives. He has held leadership roles in business incubators and has contributed to the development of start-up ecosystems in Portugal.

  Join Fábio Santos for a practical session on crafting compelling pitches for business angels. Learn the key elements of an effective pitch deck and presentation and how to clearly communicate the value proposition of your rural or agricultural innovation to potential investors. Fábio will also highlight common pitfalls to avoid and share strategies for building strong, lasting relationships with investors, specifically tailored to those interested in the rural and agricultural sectors.

• Marta Yonkova Smart Farm Practices & Rural Development Officer, EU CAP Network.
  

  Marta Yonkova

  Smart Farm Practices & Rural Development Officer, EU CAP Network.

  Marta is a Smart Farm Practices & Rural Development Officer at the EIP-Agri Support Facility team. She has a master’s degree in international project’ management and has studied economics in Bulgaria and Italy. Experienced in marketing and consultancy in the agri-food sector, Marta has a rich portfolio, which includes a vast number of projects, social activities and even issuing an agricultural magazine. Her work experience includes working for one of the biggest NGOs in the agricultural sector in Bulgaria, several information campaigns and many initiatives aimed at farmers and their needs.

  Join Marta Yonkova to explore the accessible and practical opportunities available through EIP-AGRI and broader EU support for fostering innovation and cooperation in agriculture. This session will highlight how rural stakeholders can leverage these resources to advance their innovative projects.

• Maura Farrell FLIARA Project Coordinator, University of Galway
  

  Maura Farrell

  FLIARA Project Coordinator, University of Galway

  Associate Professor Maura Farrell is the Coordinator of the FLIARA project at the University of Galway and a full-time lecturer in the Discipline of Geography. Maura’s research interests include rural and agricultural geography, processes of social, cultural and economic change for rural inhabitants and rural migration.

• Triin Uustalu CEO & Co-Founder of AskGrant
  

  Triin Uustalu

  CEO & Co-Founder of AskGrant

  Triin Uustalu, Co-founder of AskGrant, is a full-stack startupper known for her effective approach to company growth. Combining creativity with a focus on metrics and common sense, Triin has a strong history of success, including managerial experience at Skype and C-level positions at leading Estonian startups like LHV Bank and Veriff. Her expertise in marketing and product makes her a valuable asset in the tech ecosystem.

  Join Triin Uustalu for a practical exploration of the startup landscape. This session will provide a straightforward definition of a startup, clarify its difference from a small business, and debunk the myth that startups are solely urban or tech-focused. Discover who builds startups and why a curious, problem-solving approach – often enriched by rural experience – is crucial. Triin will then delve into the key elements that make a startup fundable, including identifying a clear problem and solution, demonstrating scalability, and crafting a strong founder narrative that resonates with early-stage investors. You’ll also gain valuable insights into various funding avenues, from bootstrapping to grants and investors, with actionable advice for those embarking on their first fundraising journey. Triin will conclude with an empowering message, reminding rural innovators that their unique strengths are valuable and that starting is more important than being perfect.