About Policy Forum

The GRASS CEILING project aims to create an environment where women can drive socio-ecological transitions by developing innovations in response to socio-ecological challenges, thereby strengthening the resilience of rural areas.

The online European Policy Forum for women-led innovation in agriculture and rural areas plays a key role in advocating for change and increasing women-led socio-ecological innovations in farming, the rural economy and rural communities.

Following the integrated, transdisciplinary, and multi-level approach of the project, the Forum aims to mobilise stakeholders and provide a platform to foster impactful dialogue among project stakeholders and the wider community of external actors. This dialogue goes beyond merely sharing results. It is coordinated by AEIDL (European Association for Innovation in Local Development) and Copa-Cogeca.

Additionally, AEIDL leads the work package focused on co-creating recommendations and tools that enhance women’s participation in the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas within policy and knowledge innovation systems. The objective is to assist policy makers, women innovators, and other actors involved in the innovation ecosystem in addressing gender biases in relevant policies, tools, and governance frameworks.

Forum objectives

• Facilitate knowledge exchange and contribute to key GRASS CEILING research activities by bringing a pan-European perspective.

• Collaboratively discuss and co-design policy recommendations and tools to promote women-lead innovation at European and national level.

• Mobilise stakeholders and provide a space for engagement between project stakeholders and the broader community of external actors.