Empowering women through innovation in Mediterranean agri-food systems
Description
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 soon on the CIHEAM Zaragoza website.