Groundbreaking discussions, field visits, and policy workshops highlight women’s vital role in Europe’s rural sustainability.
Ljubljana, Slovenia. From September 25-26, 2024, the FLIARA Consortium hosted its 2nd Community of Practice (CoP) Networking Event in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The gathering brought together women innovators from rural and agricultural sectors, policymakers, and key stakeholders, fostering valuable dialogue on the vital role of women in shaping sustainable futures for Europe’s rural areas.
Held at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, the event marked a pivotal moment in advancing women’s contributions to the EU’s environmental and social inclusion goals. During the two-day event, participants shared their innovative practices and discussed critical policy proposals aimed at supporting female-led innovations.
Key Discussions and Sessions
The event opened with warm welcomes from Dr. Barbara Lampič of the University of Ljubljana, Dr. Maura Farrell from the University of Galway and Project Coordinator, and Dr. Irena Samide, Vice-dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana. This was followed by an insightful overview of the FLIARA Project by Dr. Farrell, which set the tone for discussions on the intersections of gender equality, rural development, and innovation.
Maura Farrell, Project Coordinator and Associate Professor, emphasised the project’s core mission, stating, “FLIARA is shining a light on women across Europe who are driving sustainability and rural development. Our FLIARA Ambassadors exemplify these efforts, and by highlighting their innovative approaches, we can learn from their successes and build a network that empowers even more women to lead change in rural and agricultural communities.”
Highlights of the first day included the Ambassador Innovation Journey, where seven inspiring FLIARA Ambassadors from Slovenia, Romania, Italy, and Czechia shared their personal stories of innovation. In this opportunity, the CoP served as a platform for spreading innovative knowledge of Petra Matos and Saša Kržič from Slovenia, Anca Veronica Marcu and Patricia Marina Toma from Romania, Sarah Khoudja from Italy, as well as Iva Zadražilová and Alžběta Nagyová from Czechia. These women, leading advancements in sustainability and entrepreneurship, offered valuable insights into the challenges and successes they experienced in transforming rural areas.
Workshops provided participants with hands-on opportunities to explore how future visions can guide policy-making and how policies could be better shaped to empower women in rural areas. Discussions also focused on the critical role women play in the LEADER/CLLD program in Slovenia, with a particular emphasis on their often invisible contributions to rural development.
A Field Day of Innovation
On the second day, attendees embarked on a field trip through rural Slovenia to witness women-led innovations firsthand. The journey included visits to Mikrozelenje Šebenik, where Saša Kržič, FLIARA Ambassador for Slovenia, showcased her innovative work in microgreens, and Park Istra, where Petra Matos, another Slovenian FLIARA Ambassador, highlighted her team’s efforts in connecting international volunteers with local communities to address regional needs. The day concluded at Gramona, where Nina Froggatt, also an innovator of FLIARA, gave a tour of her family farm, followed by a tasting session of local products.
This hands-on experience allowed participants to engage with the practical realities of rural innovation and the vital contributions of women leaders in shaping sustainable, thriving rural communities.
Dr. Barbara Lampič expressed her gratitude to all participants for the invaluable insights shared during the event. She emphasised that seeing innovators in their own environment offers a deeper understanding of the multifaceted roles these women play in their communities—connecting with local needs, collaborating with suppliers, and building networks that strengthen rural regions.
Moving Forward
The event successfully laid the groundwork for continued efforts in policy development, knowledge sharing, and networking among rural and agricultural innovators. With the valuable insights gained from this event, FLIARA is positioned to continue advocating for robust policies that support female-led innovations and the inclusion of women in rural development strategies across Europe.
This Community of Practice event marks another step forward in recognising and celebrating the essential role women play in transforming Europe’s rural landscapes for a more sustainable future.
