Events

On May 16, 2025 , the OCA Puerta del Camino Hotel in Santiago de Compostela will host the 1st Congress of Young People and Women in the Agri-Food and Forestry Sector , an initiative promoted by Unións Agrarias-UPA that will bring together more than a hundred participants in a key event to address the future of rural areas. This in-person conference, scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. , aims to raise awareness about the abandonment of rural areas and agroforestry activities , one of the determining factors in the depopulation process affecting many areas of the country. The event also seeks to offer innovative solutions and management practices aimed at halting this abandonment , with special emphasis on new formulas for generational transfer and farm succession . The conference is part of a biannual program, which includes a second edition of the congress in May 2026 , and responds to the need to highlight the key role of youth and women in revitalizing rural areas and strengthening the agri-food and forestry sectors. This meeting will be an opportunity to share experiences, access up-to-date knowledge, and create networks that promote the sustainable future of rural Galicia and the entire region. Registration is full, but a waiting list is available. PROGRAM | REGISTRATION

From June 10 to 12, 2025, CIHEAM Zaragoza will host the International Symposium "Empowering Women through Innovation in Mediterranean Agri-Food Systems." Organized by CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), with the collaboration of the CIHEAM General Secretariat and the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the event will bring together representatives of international organizations such as FAO, IFAD, OECD, the European Commission, ICARDA, and IWMI, as well as entrepreneurs, researchers, and members of civil society and the private sector. The symposium seeks to highlight the role of women as drivers of change toward more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food systems. A dynamic program, including lectures, roundtables, case studies, interactive workshops, and field visits, will address the main challenges and opportunities facing women in Mediterranean agriculture and rural areas. The event will also address how innovation—from digital technologies to agroecological and social solutions—can catalyze women's empowerment in agri-food systems, transforming traditional practices and promoting more sustainable and inclusive models. Highlights from the program include: High-level conferences on the latest trends in innovation applied to the agri-food sector, with a special focus on women-led approaches. Interactive workshops on technology and social innovation , designed to foster networking among women entrepreneurs, share experiences, and present pioneering projects in the agri-food value chain. Inspiring case studies of women leading technology initiatives in rural and agricultural areas of the Mediterranean. Field visits to local projects run by women, demonstrating how innovation transforms communities from the rural perspective. The symposium will also analyze the obstacles that limit women's access to technology, training, and financing, and will propose avenues for cooperation to build inclusive innovative ecosystems. In a context of climate change, resource scarcity, and digital transformation, the event is positioned as a strategic opportunity to redefine the role of women as drivers of change in Mediterranean agri-food. The event, which will feature in-person and virtual participation (subject to registration), will be a key platform for promoting strategic alliances, sharing best practices, and generating innovative solutions for women's empowerment in the agri-food sector. More information and registration will be available...