Showcasing Innovation in Action: FLIARA’s Second Community Gathering in Slovenia

The FLIARA (Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas) Consortium convened its second Community of Practice (CoP) Networking Event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from September 25-26, 2024. This significant gathering brought together women innovators from rural and agricultural sectors, policymakers, and key stakeholders to foster crucial dialogue on the vital role of women in shaping a sustainable future for Europe’s rural landscapes and contributing to the EU’s environmental and social inclusion goals.

Hosted at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, the event featured opening remarks from Dr Barbara Lampič, Dr Maura Farrell (Project Coordinator), and Dr Irena Samide. Dr Farrell emphasised FLIARA’s core mission: “shining a light on women across Europe who are driving sustainability and rural development.”

A highlight of the first day was the “Ambassador Innovation Journey”, where seven inspiring FLIARA Ambassadors from Slovenia (Petra Matos, Saša Kržič), Romania (Anca Veronica Marcu, Patricia Marina Toma), Italy (Sarah Khoudja), and Czechia (Iva Zadražilová, Alžběta Nagyová) shared their personal stories and innovative approaches in sustainability and entrepreneurship. The CoP provided a valuable platform for sharing their knowledge and experiences in transforming rural areas.

Interactive workshops focused on how future visions can inform policy-making and how policies can be better designed to empower women in rural areas. Discussions also addressed the critical and often invisible contributions of women within Slovenia’s LEADER/CLLD programme.

The second day offered a unique “Field Day of Innovation”, taking attendees to witness women-led initiatives firsthand in rural Slovenia. Visits included Mikrozelenje Šebenik (Saša Kržič’s microgreens), Park Istra (Petra Matos’s community volunteer project), and Gramona (Nina Froggatt’s family farm). This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into the practical impact of women’s leadership in creating sustainable rural communities.

Dr Barbara Lampič highlighted the profound understanding gained by seeing innovators within their own environments, emphasising their multifaceted roles in connecting local needs, collaborating with suppliers, and building vital rural networks.

This successful CoP event has laid a strong foundation for continued policy development, knowledge sharing, and networking, positioning FLIARA to further advocate for policies that support female-led innovation and the inclusion of women in rural development strategies across Europe.