On October 22, 2024, the European Association for Innovation in Local Development (AEIDL) hosted an insightful CODECS webinar on addressing gender inequalities in EU agricultural areas, with a special focus on the role of digital innovation. Held just a week after the International Day of Rural Women, the event highlighted the intersection of gender, agriculture, and technology, providing a platform for experts and stakeholders to share experiences and discuss strategies to tackle challenges in the sector.
Blanca Casares from AEIDL opened the session, underscoring the urgency of addressing gender disparities as digitalisation transforms rural sectors. With evolving EU and national policies, Casares noted that the time is ripe to push for substantial progress on gender equality in agriculture.
Gianluca Brunori, CODECS Coordinator from the University of Pisa, continued with an overview of the project’s goal: driving digital transformation in farming systems. He stressed the importance of incorporating gender perspectives in digitalisation strategies, raising crucial questions about how digital tools can support—rather than hinder—gender equality in agricultural practices.
The webinar also featured Tacko Ndiaye from FAO’s Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, who presented key findings from the 2023 report on the Status of Women in Agrifood Systems. Ndiaye outlined specific actions aimed at empowering women in agriculture, emphasising the resilience that gender-sensitive digitalisation can foster in rural communities.
The second half of the event highlighted real-world examples of women-led innovation. Saša Kržič, FLIARA Ambassador and co-founder of the Slovenian company Mikrozelenje, shared her journey of building a successful business around microgreens and edible flowers. Saša recounted how she and her partner launched the company in 2014, pioneering the local market for these niche products. Over the past decade, Mikrozelenje has expanded to a team of five, catering to both fresh and dried edible flowers, which enables them to offer products year-round and adapt to seasonal demands. Kržič spoke about the company’s pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the closure of restaurants, their primary clients, necessitated a shift in business strategy. Embracing digitalisation, they launched an e-commerce platform to sell sprouters, seeds, and educational resources, empowering individuals to grow microgreens at home. This diversification has not only increased their visibility but also broadened their market reach, allowing them to employ local staff and extend their brand internationally through platforms like Etsy.
Maura Farrell, coordinator of the FLIARA project, took part in the closing panel alongside Ndiaye, Kržič, Mary Grace Gasco (founder of SpaceCrop), and Lorena van de Kolk, founder of the Gender Alliance for Innovation in Agriculture. Together, they discussed the opportunities digital tools present for women entrepreneurs in rural areas, as well as the structural and administrative hurdles that persist. The panel emphasised that, while digitalisation opens new doors, continued support and targeted resources are essential to sustaining the growth of women-led businesses.
In closing, AEIDL introduced the CODECS Knowledge Accelerator Community, a vibrant network fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders in agriculture and digitalisation.
Watch the full event:
FLIARA’s participation in this event reinforces our dedication to promoting gender equality in rural areas and shines a spotlight on the inspiring work of female entrepreneurs like Saša Kržič, who are paving the way for sustainable innovation.