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Spotlight on the role of women in agriculture, the economy, and rural communities at GRASS CEILING project’s first annual meeting
CIHEAM > AGENDAS > Spotlight on the role of women in agriculture, the economy, and rural communities at GRASS CEILING project’s first annual meeting
  • CIHEAM Zaragoza has taken part in the 1st annual meeting of the European project GRASS CEILING, where the University of Valladolid and Agrifood Cooperatives of Spain presented the project’s Spanish living lab for rural women innovators.

  • The project aims to empower rural women and increase the number of innovative and economically, socially, and environmentally-sustainable initiatives in the agricultural sector and the rural world.

The team from CIHEAM Zaragoza travelled to Brussels to take part in the first annual meeting of the European GRASS CEILING project on 12-14 September. The University of Valladolid (Palencia Campus) and Agrifood Cooperatives of Spain presented the project’s Spanish living lab for rural women innovators.

Over the three days of the meeting, participants enjoyed a full programme of presentations and a preview of project results. Project partners and stakeholders discussed how to move forward in gender equality and capacity building for rural women and shared their experiences regarding initiatives that are being taken in the living labs for rural women innovators.

The project has set up these living labs in nine countries to bring together rural women innovators and experts in several fields. The objective is to provide training for 72 women and set up a learning-by-networking system.

THE SITUATION OF RURAL WOMEN AND FEMALE FARMERS ACROSS EUROPE

During the first day of the meeting, participants were briefed on the progress made over the initial 9 months of the project and analysed the situation of rural women and female farmers in Europe, as well as the knowledge available on innovation led by rural women.

The second day began with a demonstration event, focused on the sister projects FLIARA and SWIFT, dealing with various European policies on gender equality and empowerment of women in rural areas, including the Rural Pact community platform (RPCP) and the Community Groups. The day continued with a session delivered by representatives from GRASS CEILING’s living labs who shared their success stories.

In the living lab session, Jasminka Grškovic (Croatia), Catherine Kinsella (Ireland), Miriam Del Re (Italy), Lina Vyšniauskaite (Lithuania), Kari Øye (Norway), Sonja van Uden (the Netherlands) Beth Rose (Scotland), Lucía Velasco (Spain), and Elin Skörde (Sweden) presented their innovations in several sectors such as livestock farming, crofting, hen rearing, and healthy marine products. They explained their efforts in empowering rural women and the hurdles they have had to surmount to bring these innovations to life, whilst transmitting their passion for their land and rural areas. These examples are a source of inspiration for other female farmers to set up their own projects and to highlight women’s role in agriculture, the rural economy and rural communities.

THE EXAMPLE OF LUCÍA VELASCO, FROM GRASS CEILING’S SPANISH LIVING LAB

Lucía Velasco is a Spanish livestock farmer managing over 110 head of Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle, and practises the ancient tradition of transhumance. She spoke on behalf of the women in GRASS CEILING’s Spanish living lab. Known for her activism in raising awareness about the role of women in the country and for her defence of rural traditions and customs, Velasco stressed the importance of giving greater visibility to women’s work in rural areas, ensuring that their valuable contribution is not disregarded. She added that it was essential for society to recognize the crucial roles that women play in conserving the environment, upholding tradition, preserving history and culture, and safeguarding animal genetic resources.

Velasco elaborated on the tradition of transhumance in farming, and spoke of the impact of involving young women in the sector. She also asserted her commitment to producing high-quality, sustainable products.

The third and final day of the meeting focused on upcoming activities and on the community group "Women in the Rural Environment". The event concluded with a workshop organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza on how to prepare the communication for a project event.