The Innovation Award for Women Farmers
This competition was developed by Copa-Cogeca to shed a light on the hundreds of innovative projects conducted every year all over Europe by Women farmers.
This competition was developed by Copa-Cogeca to shed a light on the hundreds of innovative projects conducted every year all over Europe by Women farmers. In 2023 it will particularly showcase the innovative and novel solutions implemented by women that are supporting all the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental and social. Shortlisted projects will gain significant EU visibility and there are cash prizes up to 10 000€ for winners.
This is the 7th edition of the award, which was launched in 2010. It highlights the contributions women make towards rural development, forestry and farming. It is an opportunity to showcase many innovative approaches women take in finding new solutions to the challenges faced in rural areas.
Applicants must be active women farmers and entrepreneurs (responsible for the entrepreneurial activity eligible for the award), as well as being a member of a farming or cooperative organisation represented within Copa and Cogeca.
You can find information from previous editions here. Read about Swedish farmer Anna who is reducing waste by introducing a new product to the market – small bags of small potatoes sold straight to the consumer, or Sandra from Italy who grows and processes dye plants in order to extract organic coloring and to perform dyes on natural fibers.
Want to read more about women in agriculture, forestry and rural areas? Check out the EU CAP Network newsletter on Innovation & knowledge exchange | EIP-AGRI from October 2022 which focuses on women in agriculture, forestry and rural areas, here.