The FLIARA: Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas project, funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe funding programme, acknowledges that current trends, such as climate change, gender inequalities and the COVID-19 pandemic, bring new, significant challenges to European rural areas. FLIARA uniquely proposes a transdisciplinary, innovative methodology to improve understanding, awareness and recognition of women’s role in a more sustainable rural future, as well as develop proposals for how more effective policy and governance frameworks can support this and enhance women’s capacity to contribute to it. Using a thematic case-study approach in 10 EU countries, project partners will investigate women-led innovations on farms and in wider rural areas looking at their pathways in the innovation ecosystem. Building on the power of social networks, a Community of Practice will be developed with women identified throughout the case studies, alongside key innovation policy and governance stakeholders. The project started in January of 2023, debuting with a partner kick-off meeting in Brussels and will last for 3 years. |