Krakow, Poland. The FLIARA Project made a significant impact at the EU CAP Network workshop titled ‘Women-led Innovations in Agriculture and Rural Areas,’ held from Wednesday, April 17, to Thursday, April 18, 2024. The workshop, dedicated to showcasing exemplary practices of women-led initiatives across EU rural areas, covered a spectrum of topics, including farming, forestry, and environmental productions and services.
Leading the FLIARA Project delegation was Project Coordinator, Associate Professor Maura Farrell, who delivered a compelling presentation titled “Rural and Agricultural Women: Transforming Traditional Roles into Contemporary Inspirations.” She also provided final comments, evaluations, and closing remarks as a coordinating expert for the EIP-AGRI Support Facility.
FLIARA, also, actively engaged in field visits near Krakow, providing insights into inspirational women-led initiatives. These visits included:
- Field visit A: Exploring social potential and a smart village approach alongside a small ceramics business.
- Field visit B: visiting a fish farm promoting local food production and meeting with a local organic wine producer.
- Field visit C: Touring the Rural Homemakers’ Club, a lavender field, and processing and packaging facilities.
The FLIARA Horizon Europe Project further contributed during the “Spiral of Innovation: Exchange of Experience from 7 Inspiring Projects” session. Project Manager Louise Weir represented FLIARA, fostering interactions with representatives from other projects such as the SWIFT Horizon Europe Project, the Grass Ceiling Horizon Europe Project, the EIP-AGRI Operational Group ‘Małopolska Group of Food Producers,’ and several others.
FLIARA’s overarching goal is to establish a robust European rural innovation ecosystem that champions women-led innovative practices in farming and rural sectors. FLIARA aims to underscore their pivotal role in achieving EU environmental and inclusion policies by showcasing and amplifying current female-led innovations. The project highlights the innovative prowess of women in farming and rural areas, emphasising sustainability across environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions.