GRASS CEILING conducts workshop at Netherlands Rural Network: Female entrepreneurship in agriculture and the role of women on boards

Netherlands /

During the Network Countryside (https://www.netwerkplatteland.nl/) Workshop on 15 November, several workshops were organised for those involved in and living in rural areas. The Rural Network inspires and connects knowledge, people and projects to work together on future-proof agriculture, strengthening nature and a liveable countryside. Bettina Bock (professor for inclusive rural development) and Marloes van Schaik (dairy farmer and strategic policy advisor on multifunctional Agriculture) provided a workshop for Grass Ceiling (https://www.grassceiling.eu/) and shared the lessons learned so far.

Nearly twenty women participated in the workshop. These were mostly officials, but also a number of agricultural entrepreneurs and policy-makers. Bettina started with a presentation on the design of the project and the state of knowledge on female entrepreneurship. Then Marloes took over and as a participant in the living lab she talked about her topic which looks to create a greater role for women in administrative processes.

The presentation was followed by a lively discussion, which gathered input for Grass Ceiling research. There was a lot of engagement on the topic. The living lab concept was seen as a nice method to engage women and there was the question of how we could scale this up further. Of course, it would be nice to start several living labs, for example one per province, but it is also good to put the female entrepreneurship that is already there in the spotlight in the media; Sharing role models are a good start. Marloes presented five needs that women generally want to see fulfilled before they take on a role on a board. These needs touch on providing security, and role models/cultivators of women directors can certainly play a role in that as well. Furthermore, the significant lack of data on female entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector is a disappointment. Measurements = knowledge, which was agreed by all. Women are more often engaged in socio-economic innovations, such as a second branch on the farm. Support for this in the form of subsidies, for example, is badly needed. The focus is now mainly on technical innovations. All in all, we look back on a valuable afternoon!

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Vrouwelijk ondernemerschap in de landbouw en de rol van vrouwen in besturen

Netherlands /

Tijdens de Werkplaats Netwerk Platteland (https://www.netwerkplatteland.nl/) op 15 november werden er diverse workshops georganiseerd voor betrokkenen bij en inwoners van het platteland. Het Netwerk Platteland inspireert en verbindt kennis, mensen en projecten om samen te werken aan een toekomstbestendige landbouw, het versterken van de natuur en een leefbaar platteland. Bettina Bock (hoogleraar inclusieve plattelandsontwikkeling) en Marloes van Schaik (melkveehoudster en strategisch beleidsadviseur Multifunctionele Landbouw) verzorgden een workshop over het EU project Grass Ceiling (https://www.grassceiling.eu/) en de ervaringen tot nu toe.

Bijna twintig vrouwen namen deel aan de workshop. Dit waren vooral ambtenaren, maar ook een aantal agrarisch onderneemsters en belangenbehartigers. Bettina startte met een presentatie over de opzet van het project en de stand van zaken rondom de kennis over vrouwelijk ondernemerschap. Vervolgens nam Marloes het over en als deelneemster aan de living lab vertelde zij over haar onderwerp; een grotere rol voor vrouwen in bestuurlijke processen.

De presentatie werd gevolgd door een levendige discussie, waarin input is opgehaald voor Grass Ceiling. Er was veel betrokkenheid bij het onderwerp. Het living lab werd gezien als een mooie opstap, en er kwam de vraag hoe we dit verder zouden kunnen opschalen. Natuurlijk is het mooi om meerdere living labs op te starten, bijvoorbeeld 1 per provincie. Maar het is ook goed om het vrouwelijk ondernemerschap dat er al is, in de schijnwerpers te zetten in de media. Rolmodellen stimuleren enorm. Marloes presenteerde een vijftal behoeftes die vrouwen over het algemeen eerst vervuld willen zien voordat ze een rol in een bestuur oppakken. Deze behoeftes raken aan het bieden van veiligheid, en daar kunnen rolmodellen/ kweekvijvers van vrouwelijke bestuurders zeker ook een rol in spelen. Verder is het ontbreken van veel data over vrouwelijk ondernemerschap in de agrarische sector een gemis. Meten = weten, dat werd door iedereen omarmd. Vrouwen houden zich vaker bezig met sociaal economische innovaties, zoals een tweede tak op het bedrijf . Ondersteuning hiervoor in de vorm van bijvoorbeeld subsidies is hard nodig. De focus ligt nu vooral op technische innovaties. Al met al kijken we terug op een waardevolle middag!

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María José Velilla: “I enjoy working in my village and setting my hours, even if sometimes it means working all day.”

General, Human Stories, Spain /

We visited Alfamén, a small town near Zaragoza, Spain. María José has been working here for over 25 years. She owns a livestock farm with her husband, where they raise lambs of a native Aragonese breed known as Ternasco de Aragón, certified under the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label.

Products with the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label are, by definition, distinguished by a specific quality, reputation, or characteristic attributable to their geographical origin. Their production, processing, or preparation must occur in the defined geographical area that gives them their name, as detailed on the Spanish government website www.administracion.gob.es.

María José tells us she loves her work because it allows her to choose her hours and be her own boss—though not always.
“During lambing season, I don’t get to choose; I’m here all day.” The workload during breeding season is intense because, under the quality standards of the Ternasco de Aragón certification, lambs are slaughtered before they are fifty days old. This makes that time of year especially demanding.

“When I started, I knew nothing, but my family helped me a lot.” María José’s beginnings, like many in Spain’s primary sector, are rooted in family tradition. Her father-in-law already owned a farm, and later she and her husband started their own with the support of their extended family. She says the work is very tough; the farm doesn’t stop for holidays, long weekends, or vacations. Even on Christmas Day, the animals must be fed and taken to pasture. María José shares that they haven’t been able to vacation their entire lives.

This hard work has its rewards, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything. “I like working outdoors, and I like working in my village. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything here.” In Alfamén, just a few kilometers from Zaragoza, she finds everything she needs. However, María José tells us that not all rural areas are so fortunate. “Many women farmers and ranchers miss having more services, which is why there are fewer of us.” In a society that still upholds some patriarchal traditions, many rural women find it difficult to balance roles like raising children and managing household duties with the dedication their work and projects require. “If you don’t have daycare centers or health centers nearby, you can’t focus on your business as much as you’d like.”

For this rural entrepreneur, linking her livestock farm with a social economy organization, such as a cooperative, has been a huge help. Through her cooperative, OviAragón – Pastores, she has found the necessary support to channel her product sales, obtain the best feed for her animals, and manage administrative processes of all kinds. The cooperative also assists with veterinary control of the animals. “The cooperative has been a key pillar that allows me to do this work. It’s an essential support system that lets me focus on raising animals, knowing that I have the structure of OviAragón – Pastores by my side,” María José tells us.

María José also combines her work with intense advocacy for rural women and the primary sector. She serves on the board of AMCAE, la Asociación de Mujeres de Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España, which is a partner in the Grass Ceiling project. The association holds annual meetings where women farmers and ranchers from across the country come together to share ideas and learn from one another. “It’s important for us women to participate and take action. We’ve always been here (in the primary sector), but often in the shadow of men. That’s why it’s essential to make our presence known.”

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Rural women take center stage at GRASS CEILING showcase in Vilnius

Croatia, General, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Sweden /

The GRASS CEILING Project consortium is excited to announce its participation in AgriFood Lithuania 2024. The event will serve as the backdrop for the project’s second Showcase event, highlighting the remarkable achievements of its first year.



Showcase and Consortium Meeting. The annual Showcase event will take place on 26th November, followed by the 3rd Consortium meeting on 27th November. The Showcase will offer a platform to inform partners and external stakeholders about the project’s progress, including key deliverables and the pivotal role of Living Labs. Here you will find the agenda for this event.

Spotlight on Women Entrepreneurs. A particular highlight of the event will be the inspiring stories of nine women entrepreneurs participating in national Living Labs. These women will share their entrepreneurial journeys, goals, and how their involvement in the Living Lab is supporting their aspirations. Participants include Ines Dundovic (Croatia), Karen Keane (Ireland), Annalisa Pellegrini (Italia), Juste Jankauskiene (Lithuania), Anita Rennemo Galaen (Scotland), Aoife Gould (Scotland), Amada de Salas (Spain), Emma Hartelius (Sweden), and Irene Beukeveld-Evers (Netherlands).

Project Results and Future Directions GRASS CEILING will also present findings from various work packages. Topics include:

The consortium meeting on 27th November will delve deeper into the project’s work plan, with a special focus on the Online Training Academy and MOOC modules workshop, led by Laura Quijano from CIHEAM Zaragoza.

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GRASS CEILING to spark discussion on empowering rural women and agricultural innovation at SERIGO event

General /

The GRASS CEILING project will be a key focus point in a panel discussion organised by the SERIGO project. The panel will explore “Multistakeholder collaboration for innovation and inclusion of vulnerable communities.”

Blanca Casares, a Policy Expert for Horizon 2020 and Europe projects and a member of AEIDL, a partner in the GRASS CEILING project, will discuss how the project empowers rural women and fosters innovation in agriculture, rural economy, and rural communities. She will also highlight policy considerations to support these initiatives.

The panel will be moderated by Patricia Martínez (AEIDL) and will feature Sonia Marcos from the University of Burgos (coordinator of the ESIRA multi-actor platform) and Maura Farrell from the University of Galway (lead coordinator of the FLIARA CoP).

The virtual event will take place on 21st November from 1pm to 2pm. The SERIGO Horizon Europe project is conducting community-based research, fostering collaborations, and providing policy recommendations to enhance resilience, social inclusion, and well-being in European rural areas through social innovation.

To register for the webinar and view the agenda, click here.

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From Law to olive groves: Birgit Boljun’s journey of tradition, passion and empowerment from the Living Lab of the GRASS CEILING project

Croatia, General /

Birgit is a dynamic, determined woman from Istria, with a diverse background that spans law, business, and agriculture. Until recently, Birgit worked as a lawyer, while managing a successful security company with a team of 110 employees, predominantly men. However, her true passion lays elsewhere—olive growing, a hobby she inherited from her grandmother.

For Birgit, olive growing is a way to honour her grandmother’s legacy and preserve a piece of Istrian culture. It represents sustainability, tradition, and a personal commitment to cultivating something lasting and meaningful. Through her dedication to the craft, Birgit found a new passion, one that is as rich and enduring as the olive oil she produces.

After receiving a grant for young farmers through the Rural Development Programme, Birgit made the decision to transform her hobby into a full-fledged profession. Birgit had no formal background in agriculture, but her determination fuelled her to dive into the world of olive growing with full commitment. She sought out mentors, attended workshops, and learned everything from the science of soil health to the art of producing high-quality olive oil. Every step along the way was a learning process, but one Birgit embraced with enthusiasm.

Despite facing scepticism and derogatory remarks about women working in agriculture, Birgit never wavered.

Today, Birgit proudly identifies as a passionate advocate for justice, equality, animal rights, and women’s empowerment. She embodies the spirit of resilience.

The GRASS CEILING project is helping Birgit expand her network of Croatian women entrepreneurs. She’s also gaining valuable insights and knowledge that will undoubtedly support the growth of her olive tree business.

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Legacoop Puglia presented the GRASS CEILING project at the 2024 Sustainability Report of Legacoop, in Rome

General, Italy /

On September 25 in Rome, Legacoop’s national organization presented its new Sustainability Report 2024, a key tool for charting the path to a more sustainable and inclusive future. This year’s edition was enriched with specific tools and useful guidance for the entire cooperative ecosystem, encouraging active and informed participation by cooperatives.

On this occasion, Legacoop Puglia, the regional branch of Legacoop, proudly presented the “GRASS CEILING” project, an initiative created to promote gender equality and equal opportunities in the agricultural sector.

The project aims to break down invisible barriers that limit women’s access to leadership roles by creating opportunities for training and growth.

A big step towards a more equitable and sustainable society!

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Spanish women farmers left out: work-life balance and transparency issues hinder their leadership roles in agrarian cooperatives

General, Spain /

Spanish GRASS CEILING Living Lab organized a new workshop as a dialogue forum among women farmers and other agri-food actors. This event highlighted the lack of access of women to management positions in cooperatives, as well as their position on the CAP’s policies.

The University of Valladolid’s Palencia Campus, as academic co-leader, and Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España, as practical co-leader of the European GRASS CEILING Project, have jointly organized the workshop “Dialogues with Women Farmers: Cooperatives and the Common Agricultural Policy”, at the headquarters of the Agropal Agri-Food Cooperative in Palencia (Spain).

This event served as a forum for reflection and dialogue, bringing together women farmers participating in the project with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The main objective was to delve into the challenges facing rural areas and the agricultural sector, emphasizing the role of women as drivers of rural development and generational renewal within the cooperative movement and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The workshop aimed to strengthen knowledge and promote best practices with a gender perspective. The event focused on the women participating in the Spanish Living Lab as the primary protagonists of the Grass Ceiling Project.

The event was opened by Margarita Rico, professor at the Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering (University of Valladolid’s Palencia Campus) and Spanish project coordinator, Julia Gómez, deputy director of AGROPAL, and Ángel María Gómez Rivero, director general of the Common Agricultural Policy of the Regional Government in Castilla y León.

The first panel discussion focused on participation and decision-making within agri-food cooperatives. Moderated by Ana de Coca of URCACYL, the panel included Jerónima Bonafé, member of the governing council of Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España and president of AMCAE (Association of Women in Agri-food Cooperatives of Spain), Javier Narváez, secretary of the governing council of URCACYL, Amada de Salas, winegrower and winemaker in Dueñas (Palencia), and Lucía Velasco, transhumant cattle farmer in Asturias. The debate centered on the underrepresentation of women in cooperative governing boards and the underlying causes, such as limited time availability due to work-life balance challenges and lack of transparency.

The second panel discussion, moderated by Tomás García Azcárate, a researcher at the CSIC, examined the role of women in the new Common Agricultural Policy. Participants included Nuria Ruiz, manager of ASAJA Castilla y León, Ángel María Gómez Rivero, Marta Llorente, pig farmer and winegrower in Zazuar (Burgos), and Silvia González, farmer from Villaconancio (Palencia). The panel discussed critical aspects of the new CAP and broader challenges facing the sector, including increased bureaucracy, an aging rural population, and a lack of generational renewal.

Amalia Rodríguez, professor at the Faculty of Commerce and Labor Relations-Palencia (University of Valladolid), and Jerónima Bonafé delivered the closing remarks. They emphasized the need for greater visibility of women farmers and their proportional representation in decision-making bodies. The importance of gathering the experiences of rural women and creating spaces for dialogue was also highlighted.

The meeting served to strengthen the network established through the project and to deepen discussions on key issues facing the agricultural sector.

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Marijana Svetić: The heartbeat of rural entrepreneurship in Lika (Croatia) and member of the Croatian Living Lab of GRASS CEILING

Croatia, General /

Located near the birthplace of the great Nikola Tesla, often credited as the inventor of the electric motor, Marijana’s family business thrives on innovation and tradition.

Marijana is a mother, human rights defender, student, farmer and innovator. On her path to rural entrepreneurship, she has combined the old with the new to create something truly unique and meaningful.

Her latest project involves breathing new life into discarded oak wood to create stunning table lamps, each named after the visionary Nikola Tesla. Marijana has also started to explore wood jewellery making and the endless possibilities of this beautiful, natural material.

She works in disaster management, making sure her community is safe and prepared every day. But her passion for sustainability and creativity doesn’t stop there! She produces fresh vegetables and high-quality meat on her family’s farm. She is also the proud winner of second place in the competition for the most exemplary village women in Croatia in 2021.

She believes in the power of education and wants to connect her work with educational institutions. She is a true inspiration for the next generation of rural entrepreneurs.

Marijana’s main message is: let’s be open-minded, innovative and support each other. Our potential is limitless and our contributions are invaluable!

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The GRASS CEILING project is actively involved in commemorating the International Day of Rural Women on October 15

General /

The GRASS CEILING project joins in commemorating and critically analysing the International Day of Rural Women on October 15. We strongly support this day to emphasise the need for reflection on how to improve the conditions of rural women.

As our project coordinator, Professor Sally Shortall, recently stated at the opening session of our first European Policy Forum on October 7,” We are working to develop policy recommendations and observations that can inform and guide future policies aimed at improving the conditions of rural women”.

GRASS CEILING is a project dedicated to better understanding, raising awareness of, and recognising the role of rural women. One of our key objectives is to contribute to transforming gender norms and stereotypes and enhancing the innovative capacity of rural women.

To achieve these goals, we are committed to political advocacy through dialogue with entities such as the EU’s Strategic Directorate for Agriculture. We aim to develop policy recommendations and observations that can inform future political decision-making and contribute to multidisciplinary dialogue promoting legal, social, political, and economic changes grounded in gender-responsive budgeting.

In alignment with the UN theme for this year’s celebration, GRASS CEILING is working to build resilience to climate change by supporting women who seek to conserve the rural environment through the application of conservation policies, sustainable resource management, circular economy principles, and natural space restoration. These efforts prioritise biodiversity conservation.

Throughout our work, we maintain a commitment to land stewardship, respect for women and girls, and, above all, the promotion of gender equality.

We recognise that the United Nations identifies the following key factors as essential for empowering rural women and girls:

  1. Decent work and social protection
  2. Education and training
  3. Sustainable energy and technology
  4. Clean water and sanitation
  5. Elimination of violence and harmful practices
  6. Women’s inclusion in decision-making and leadership
  7. Increased resilience to climate change

Therefore, on October 15, 2024, GRASS CEILING joins in celebrating the International Day of Rural Women and wholeheartedly supports the UN theme: “Rural Women Sustaining Nature for Our Collective Future: Building climate resilience, conserving biodiversity, and caring for land towards gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.”

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