Mentoring and training process including Masterclass activity
NOVEMBER
Demo Day (final event at local level)
DECEMBER
Women in Agrifood Stories – final international event summarizing whole EWA programme
EWA's impact
More than 370 female entrepreneurs have received support, mentoring and training from EWA between 2020-2023.
We have granted 560.000 EUR in prizes to best in class entrepreneurs during final pitching competitions.
Our networking events connected startups, solopreneurs, corporates, investors and the agrifood ecosystem in general, creating new partnerships and opportunities for stakeholders.
Over 40 agrifood startups have grown on their number of clients, employees or financial turnover.
20 new female led businesses have been registered through and after the programme (next 3 years).
More than 12M Euros attracted by EWA entrepreneurs/startups on investment.
Entrepreneur’s feedback and monitoring process reveal the satisfaction with the programme (over 8 out of 10) and the level of business growth achieved during those 6 months, proven by new agreements with investors, first clients and employees and confidence in communicating to stakeholders.
The Open online platform gathers now over 650 female entrepreneurs and mentors in the agrifood sector that are benefiting of resources, contacts and trainings.
Why a project for women entrepreneurs?
According to a June 2020 study commissioned by the European Union, entrepreneurship is a key driver of innovation and growth across society. While Europe is making steady progress towards these principles, women remain underrepresented and underfunded, even as an increasing number of European citizens express the desire to launch their own businesses. In Europe, only around 30% of women account top positions in agricultural and livestock farms in the European Union, with a remarkable low rate amongst women from RIS regions.
Additionally, rural women still face serious disadvantages, compared not only to rural men, but also to urban women. Despite policy efforts to reduce these differences, results of recent studies and reports show that progress remains insufficient. Is a fact, therefore, that female leadership and entrepreneurial potential are an under-exploited source of economic growth that should be further explored.
The European Commission is working with EU countries to overcome these challenges and encourage more women to start their own companies. Following the most recent report form the EU parliament “More business education and training focusing on making business plans, developing leadership skills and bookkeeping is needed for women in rural areas. Personalised coaching tailored to the needs of women is more important than traditional classroom teaching”
EIT Food’s objective is to “future proof” the food system, which includes building an inclusive and innovative community to “foster innovation at all stages of business creation”. Part of EIT Food’s inclusivity goals include supporting female entrepreneurs through education, network building, and dedicated programme resources- that is EWA- Empowering Women in Agrifood mission.
Develop in-depth knowledge about food systems through studying consecutively at three distinct European academic institutions and use your knowledge to drive the future transformation of the food system.
Think Tank convenes selected stakeholders and partners, fostering broad and inclusive participation to overcome barriers to innovation in the field of protein diversification.
