General Archives - GRASS Ceiling

Women of the Future: GRASS CEILING at the Women & Food Event in the Netherlands

As a festive prelude to International Women’s Day, an inspiring event was held on Friday, March 7th by the Women & Food Network at the Provincial House in Den Bosch the Netherlands. This year’s theme was Woman of the Future — a powerful invitation to reflect on the role of women in the food transition, agriculture and nature, both now and in the future.

The Dutch GRASS CEILING team was proudly present in large numbers at the event — not only as participants, but also with two impactful workshops led by women from our network, each embodying the theme in their own unique way.

Sonja vhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjavanuden/an Uden led an in-depth workshop on finding a sustainable balance between people and nature. With her knowledge and experience, she demonstrated how essential it is for women in this field to make their voices heard and to build a livable future through connection and care.

Dorieke Goodijk-Smits hosted a session on female leadership in the agricultural sector. How can women ‘flourish’ in their roles? Which experiences and knowledge from the past can help them in the future? With practical insights and engaging discussions, she inspired other women to claim and embrace their place.

The event also provided a valuable opportunity to broaden the search for connection — even when perspectives differ within the agricultural sector and rural areas. The open conversations and shared experiences highlighted how important it is, just like within the Grass Ceiling project, to remain in dialogue and to build bridges within a diverse network.

The event was a powerful reminder that the future is full of female influences — and that we are shaping that future together. The Dutch GRASS CEILING participants look back with pride on this day full of connection, reflection, and forward-thinking.

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Marijana Svetić: “to improve my products, I need better engraving equipment, but access to funding can be complicated”

Croatia, General, Human Stories / GC WP6

Marijana Svetić is a multifaceted entrepreneur from the village of Lički Novi in Lika-Senj County, Croatia. At 40, she balances multiple roles—mother, student, civil service officer, and manager of a family farm. Established in 2017, the farm focuses on cattle breeding, vegetable production, and, more recently, the creation of handcrafted wooden products.

The business began with livestock, including the native Buša cattle, a small, autochthonous breed known for its rich but limited milk production. Over time, the farm expanded into greenhouse vegetables and later into woodworking. “We started making wooden table lamps from old oak beams, incorporating engraved images and quotes from Nikola Tesla. Living just 10 kilometres from his birthplace, it felt natural to honour him in our designs,” Marijana explains. This unique touch has set her products apart and highlights the cultural significance of her region.

Like many rural entrepreneurs, she has faced significant challenges. “Balancing family, work, and business is demanding, but I see it as a normal part of life rather than an obstacle,” she says. However, financial constraints remain a significant hurdle. “To improve my products, I need better engraving equipment, but accessing funding can be complicated.” She has previously used EU agricultural funds for greenhouse development and remains optimistic about future opportunities despite the bureaucratic barriers.

Marijana finds greatest fulfilment in passing knowledge and skills to her children. “My 15-year-old daughter is now the main producer of our lamps. She’s taken pride in what I started, and seeing her enthusiasm makes every challenge worthwhile”. This intergenerational transfer of skills is key to preserving traditional craftsmanship while fostering innovation.

Networking is another vital element of her success. She is an active member of Cluster Lika Destination, an organisation promoting local businesses and agricultural ventures. “It helps connect farmers and artisans, making our products more visible,” she notes. However, she points out the absence of specialised local women’s associations, which led her to seek external opportunities like the GRASS CEILING Project. Her advice to women starting a business is clear: “If you have a strong idea and believe in your product, don’t give up. The desire to succeed will push you past obstacles. Persistence is key—sooner or later, the community will recognise your effort and dedication.”

Marijana Svetić

Marijana Svetić: “to improve my products, I need better engraving equipment, but access to funding can be complicated” Read More »

8ª reunión Living Lab español en CIHEAM Zaragoza

Spanish women entrepreneurs in agriculture and the rural world confront lack of infrastructure, excessive bureaucracy, and leadership inequality

General, Spain / GC WP6

CIHEAM Zaragoza hosts the eighth meeting of Spain’s agricultural entrepreneurs under the GRASS CEILING project on 8-9 April, organized by Campus de Palencia of the University of Valladolid and Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España.

The latest meeting of the Spanish Living Lab, part of the European GRASS CEILING project, has concluded today. During the two-day event, participants have echoed sentiments shared across the project’s international network, highlighting that the gender gap remains a persistent obstacle in rural areas and the agricultural sector. Despite their vital role, women entrepreneurs continue to face significant barriers, even though they bring expertise, innovation and meaningful contribution to local economies and social development.

As a member of the GRASS CEILING consortium, CIHEAM Zaragoza hosted the two-day event, which brought together twenty Living Lab members and stakeholders, including eight women entrepreneurs leading agrifood businesses in scarcely populated territories of Aragon, Asturias, Castile and León.

These entrepreneurs are implementing innovative processes on their farms, ranging from the adoption of high-tech equipment to the digitalisation of technical operations, and management and administrative processes. They are also incorporating new crop rotations to promote environmental sustainability.

A notable distinction in their approach, compared to many of their male peers, is the integration of social innovation. These women are working actively to increase the visibility of women’s roles in rural life by establishing networks, offering training opportunities and facilitating knowledge exchange. Several participants are already involved in such initiatives and others are planning to do so in the near future.

Environmental stewardship is another defining feature of their work. Many women are creating sustainable business models that make use of local materials and food products, often delivering direct to customers so as to minimise dependence on complex and costly supply chains.

The women gathered in Zaragoza have demonstrated that women-led businesses help local communities to thrive. However, they continue to face deep-rooted stereotypes and traditional gender roles that make their work invisible. Many also struggle to find time to develop their businesses, either because of the demands of farm work or because they have to tend to family responsibilities.

Women in the farming sector also have to address a number of specific issues that hinder their innovation work. The high costs of advanced agricultural technology, together with structural difficulties in the sector such as volatile markets, rising production costs, and complex European regulations, etc. deter many women from investing in innovation because of the technical and economic risks involved.

During the meeting they also discussed the lack of telecommunication infrastructures in rural areas, inadequate general services, the burden of excessive bureaucracy and inappropriate regulations for rural areas.

The women explored ways to overcome these obstacles and studied a range of potential public and private support mechanisms, exchanging ideas on how institutions could be reinforced or reoriented to improve the welfare of rural women and integrate more women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. The support mechanisms are based on four pillars: individual empowerment to break down stereotypes and traditional expectations; improved rural services and infrastructure; financial support for women in agriculture; and reforms to governance and agricultural policies.

Other topics debated during the meeting included the importance of training and advisory services in sustainable innovation, the value of collaborative work via associations, cooperatives and support networks, the need for greater representation of women in decision-making roles, promotion of shared family responsibilities, and actions to elevate the status and quality of life in rural areas.

How does GRASS CEILING contribute to the EU gender equality objectives?

The project offers practical solutions for rural and gender policy-making by identifying inequalities in agriculture and rural communities across the EU. It is drawing up policy recommendations based on in-depth analysis to help the European Commission better deliver on its gender equality commitments. The Living Lab model supports innovating women and helps to create employment in remote rural areas and improve the situation of women running their own business.

GRASS CEILING has worked closely with women from local communities in the nine countries engaged in the project, developing a model that provides access to training, mentorship, resources, and a platform for debate and exchange of ideas. This participatory research approach empowers women to develop new business ideas and strengthen the local economic and social fabric of their regions. The Living Labs are an essential part of the GRASS CEILING project. They are interactive innovation hubs, led by and for women. They support women entrepreneurs as well as policy-makers and support organisations in the countries involved in the consortium and across the EU.

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La escasez de infraestructuras rurales, la falta de liderazgo femenino o la excesiva burocracia del sector agrario: grandes retos para la mujer emprendedora rural en España

General, Spain / GC WP6

El CIHEAM Zaragoza ha acogido los días 8 y 9 de abril la octava reunión del grupo de emprendedoras agrarias españolas del proyecto europeo GRASS CEILING, organizada por el Campus de Palencia de la Universidad de Valladolid y por Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España.

La reunión del ‘Living Lab’ español del proyecto europeo GRASS CEILING ha concluido hoy poniendo de manifiesto, como ocurre en el resto de países que integran el consorcio del proyecto, que la brecha de género persiste cuando se habla de territorio rural y sector agrario. Las mujeres emprendedoras en áreas rurales enfrentan desventajas significativas, a pesar de que representan un importante papel debido a su formación cualificada, sus ideas innovadoras y su contribución al mantenimiento económico y social del entorno rural.

El encuentro se ha celebrado durante los días 8 y 9 de abril en el CIHEAM Zaragoza, entidad que forma parte del consorcio internacional de este proyecto, y ha reunido a una veintena de personas, incluidas ocho emprendedoras que lideran iniciativas agroalimentarias en territorios despoblados de Aragón, Asturias y Castilla y León.

Las mujeres participantes en el proyecto están desarrollando en la actualidad procesos innovadores en sus explotaciones, que conllevan el empleo de maquinaria de tecnología avanzada y digitalización de procesos técnicos y también administrativos y de gestión. Asimismo, tienden hacia la búsqueda de nuevos cultivos para realizar rotaciones en el terreno y conseguir así una mayor sostenibilidad.

Una característica que diferencia su proceso innovador en relación con emprendedores masculinos en este mismo sector es que las mujeres destacan la necesidad de llevar a cabo innovaciones de tipo social, apoyando la visibilización del colectivo femenino en el campo, creando redes de trabajo o facilitando la adquisición de formación e información. Varias de las mujeres del proyecto están llevando a cabo innovaciones sociales en este ámbito o tienen planeado ponerlas en marcha en un futuro próximo.

Otro elemento importante a destacar del modelo de emprendimiento rural femenino es que, cada vez más, las mujeres están desarrollando iniciativas respetuosas con el medio ambiente, por ejemplo, utilizando métodos sostenibles para crear productos a partir de materiales y alimentos locales, que en muchas ocasiones suministran directamente a los clientes para minimizar los costes de cadenas de distribución complejas.

El grupo de mujeres reunidas en Zaragoza han constatado que las empresas dirigidas por mujeres ayudan a que las comunidades locales prosperen, a pesar de que actualmente aún existen estereotipos y roles asignados a las mujeres rurales que hacen que su trabajo no sea suficientemente valorado. Otra barrera personal con la que las mujeres reconocen enfrentarse a la hora de poner en marcha una innovación en su explotación agraria está relacionada con la falta de tiempo (bien por un exceso de trabajo en la propia explotación o por sus responsabilidades familiares).

Existen también una serie de problemas específicos que encuentran en el sector agrícola y ganadero y que les frena en el proceso de innovación. Una de esas limitaciones son los elevados costes que supone la adquisición de instalaciones y maquinaria de alta tecnología. Este problema financiero se magnifica debido a los problemas estructurales a los que se enfrenta el sector agrario (mercados inestables, costes de producción crecientes, dependencia de exigente normativa europea, etc.), lo que hace que en muchas ocasiones no compense asumir el riesgo técnico y económico que conlleva una innovación.

La falta de infraestructuras de telecomunicaciones en el ámbito rural y en general la escasa dotación de servicios básicos en estas zonas, es otro de los problemas que mencionan. También manifiestan que la excesiva burocracia y la existencia de normativa no adecuada al medio rural son otros frenos a tener en cuenta.

Por todo ello, en este encuentro se han debatido las principales medidas de apoyo que desde diferentes estamentos públicos y privados habría que reforzar o reconducir para mejorar el bienestar de las mujeres del campo y conseguir una mayor incorporación de emprendedoras al sector agrario. Estas medidas se han estructurado en torno a cuatro ejes: medidas de apoyo personal a las mujeres para derribar roles y estereotipos; medidas relacionadas con la falta de servicios e infraestructuras rurales; medidas relacionadas con el sector agrario de especial trascendencia para las mujeres; y medidas relacionadas con la gobernanza y las actuales políticas agrarias.

La formación y el asesoramiento en nuevos manejos innovadores y sostenibles, el fomento del trabajo colaborativo (asociaciones, cooperativas y redes de apoyo), los mayores niveles de liderazgo de las mujeres en puestos de toma de decisiones, la corresponsabilidad de las tareas familiares, las medidas de apoyo al medio rural, o las acciones de apoyo para lograr una mayor dignificación del campo, han sido alguno de los aspectos acerca de los cuales se ha debatido más intensamente a lo largo de estas dos jornadas de trabajo.

¿Qué aporta GRASS CEILING a los objetivos de igualdad de género de la UE?

Este proyecto aporta soluciones prácticas para la política rural y de género. Ha identificado las disparidades de género existentes en la agricultura y las comunidades rurales de toda la UE. Formula recomendaciones de política basadas en análisis profundos que destacan cómo la Comisión Europea puede cumplir su compromiso con la igualdad de género de forma más eficaz. Los ‘Living Labs’ o laboratorios de experiencias son un modelo que trabaja con mujeres innovadoras y ayuda a la creación de empleo en zonas rurales remotas y a mejorar la situación de las mujeres que ya se encuentran al frente de su propia empresa.

En GRASS CEILING se ha trabajado estrechamente con mujeres de comunidades locales en los nueve países participantes para desarrollar un modelo que proporcione a las mujeres formación, acceso a recursos, tutoría y un foro de debate y de opinión. Este enfoque participativo de la investigación apoya a las mujeres para desarrollar nuevas innovaciones empresariales y fortalecer el tejido económico y social de las regiones locales. Los laboratorios de experiencias de GRASS CEILING, que son parte indispensable y fundamental de este proyecto, son iniciativas de innovación interactivas, dirigidas por y para mujeres, que aumentarán el conocimiento y proporcionarán herramientas para ayudar a las innovadoras y a las organizaciones de apoyo y políticas a nivel de los Estados que conforman el consorcio y del resto de países de la UE.

La escasez de infraestructuras rurales, la falta de liderazgo femenino o la excesiva burocracia del sector agrario: grandes retos para la mujer emprendedora rural en España Read More »

Marthe Kilen: “My husband has been a crucial partner, taking care of our young children so I could focus on my passion”

General, Human Stories, Norway, Video journeys / GC WP6

Marthe Kilen, the founder of Frühnelik, is a pastry chef with a deep passion for creating cakes, chocolates, and sweets. At 37 years old, Marthe has spent over a decade honing her skills in the kitchen. She began her business 11 years ago after realising her talent was baking and pastry-making. “It’s always been my passion making food”, she explains, noting that her transition into the world of cakes and pastries felt like a natural progression.

For Marthe, quality is at the heart of everything she makes. She prioritises using the best ingredients and sourcing locally whenever possible. Her cakes boast exceptional taste and feature creative designs and playful names, making them stand out in a competitive market. Her attention to detail in flavour and presentation has earned her a loyal customer base.

Marthe has faced few challenges as a woman in the business world. “I just have positive things to say”, she asserts. Despite being a mother of two, Marthe credits her supportive husband for helping balance her career and family life. While many entrepreneurs face difficulties in managing work and home life, Marthe has found that her husband has been an essential partner, allowing her to focus on her passion while he took care of their children when they were younger. “I think I married the best man in the world”, she says, laughing with gratitude.

When it comes to developing her business, Marthe believes the key to success is focusing on what she does best. As her business grew, Marthe recognised the importance of delegating tasks that didn’t align with her strengths. “I have to pay someone to help me with the marketing, financial economics, and everything else that comes with the business”, she says. By focusing her time and energy in the kitchen, she can maintain the quality and creativity her customers expect.

Despite the challenges of running a small business in a rural area, Marthe thrives in a close-knit community of entrepreneurs. “We are very good at using and helping each other”, she explains. Marthe has a network of people in the area she can turn to for help, whether it is delivering goods or offering advice. Her collaboration with other local businesses has been instrumental in getting her products to a broader market, including partnerships with different shops that distribute her sweets.

Marthe also credits the GRASS CEILING Project with connecting her with other women entrepreneurs. This initiative has enabled her to exchange knowledge and experiences with other women in various industries. Despite the differences in their businesses, Marthe notes that the challenges they face are often quite similar. “We can debate and talk about it and find a solution to many problems together”, she says, highlighting the value of collaboration in overcoming the obstacles of entrepreneurship.

Marthe Kilen: “My husband has been a crucial partner, taking care of our young children so I could focus on my passion” Read More »

Liv Aas: “Using high-quality, local ingredients provides the beers with a unique flavour profile, which mass-produced malts do not give”

General, Human Stories, Norway, Video journeys / GC WP6

Liv Aas is a manager at Hognobring Croft Brewery, a small brewery located just south of Trondheim in Norway. They specialise in crafting beer with local ingredients, using locally sourced grains from nearby farms. The brewery, which started in 2016, was initially a hobby that Liv and her co-founder, who left his job in the oil industry, turned into a business driven by the desire to create local jobs and offer high-quality, locally produced beer. Liv, who left her previous career in farming and accounting, was able to turn her passion for craft beer into a successful business venture.

Liv’s brewery stands out for its commitment to using local malts and real fruits, avoiding additives, and not pasteurising its beers. This results in a fuller, richer taste than many industrially produced beers. Liv explains that the brewery’s focus on these natural ingredients differentiates its products from others in the market. She emphasises that using high-quality, local ingredients provides its beers with a unique flavour profile that isn’t possible with mass-produced malts. This unique flavour profile is what entices beer enthusiasts to try their products.

Despite working in an industry traditionally dominated by men, Liv has not faced significant challenges as a female entrepreneur. Her product knowledge helps her gain recognition, which counters potential gender bias. One of the biggest hurdles for Liv and her business is navigating the strict regulations and high fees associated with selling beer in grocery stores in Norway. She explains that most sales must go through wholesalers, significantly reducing their profit margins and making it challenging to grow the business financially. Because of this, Liv is dedicated to expanding the brewery, diversifying its beer offerings, and improving access to the market. In addition to selling her beers, Liv actively collaborates with other local businesses. They work with food producers, restaurants, and caterers to create complete event experiences, from conferences to dinners, pairing their beers with regional cuisine. These collaborations are a valuable way to promote their beers and expand their reach while building relationships with other entrepreneurs in the community. Liv believes such partnerships strengthen local businesses and create more opportunities for everyone.

Liv also participates in the GRASS CEILING Project, which has been instrumental in helping her connect with other women in similar positions. Through the project, she has been able to share experiences and receive advice on how to overcome challenges. She highlights the support network within the GRASS CEILING Project, where women can reach out to each other for advice and solutions to problems, making them feel less isolated in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Liv Aas: “Using high-quality, local ingredients provides the beers with a unique flavour profile, which mass-produced malts do not give” Read More »

Inside the 7th Scottish Living Lab: showcase, training, and future steps

General, Scotland / GC WP6

The 7th meeting of the Scottish Living Lab took place on 20 March. This is the report sent by our academic and technical team in Scotland about the contents, and the participation of the women entrepreneurs during the meeting. See the agenda meeting here

The showcase
The session opened with reflections on the showcase event in Vilnius. Aoife (a crofter from the Isle of Skye) and Donna (a stakeholder from the Scottish Crofting Federation) shared their experiences of presenting, learning more about the Grass Ceiling project, building an understanding of Lithuanian culture and farming, and hearing more about European policy. Aoife also explained the Pecha Kucha exercise, which all the women in the Scottish Living Lab will carry out in our June session, and which Aoife will lead. The atmosphere was celebratory and supportive, and highlighted how successful businesses might not fall into standard measures of success but that the collaborative nature of the businesses really stood out at the showcase. Those who attended reported feeling proud, inspired, and moved by each other’s work, and pleased to have met participants and co-leads from the other labs.

Training
The training session this time focused on prototyping and testing, in particular how these steps fit in alongside empathy mapping, personal maps, point of view statements, and business planning. Some tools to test new products or approaches were shared, and advice on how to get started, including highlighting examples of where the women had already prototyped and tested, but didn’t recognise it as such. The session emphasised realistic planning and small, manageable steps, including keeping prototypes cheap, and not getting too attached to them. The women raised interesting questions, such as whether you have to love your product or service in order to sell it, and how to avoid getting attached to prototypes when these are interwoven with their lives and cultures as crofters. Participants shared ideas and encouraged each other, reflecting the high level of peer support and growing confidence in the group.

Updates from the group
Then we moved onto updates from the women, including past experiences prototyping and testing, current developments such as new products and services, and successes since the last lab. There was a sense of momentum and of reflection on how far the businesses have come. The group also helped support one woman to choose images for the branding of her new series of craft workshops, and set her pricing levels.

Finance speaker
A guest speaker delivered an accessible session on managing finances, covering budgeting, separating business and personal accounts, VAT and expenses. Feedback was positive and the women found the advice to be clear and practical. Many said that they felt less overwhelmed, and that they would take steps such as speaking with an accountant who works with other crofters in the group, and who understands the nuances of crofting and finance.

Focus group The session closed with a focus group led by Sally to understand the women’s experiences during the project, the one-to-one mentoring, and the involvement of stakeholders. It found that the Living Lab provided a supportive space where women innovators could gain confidence, build networks, and explore their business and personal growth in a safe environment, with many describing the value of in-person sessions, mentoring, and peer support over time. However, challenges around confidence, funding, childcare, rural isolation, and the need for ongoing, practical support, particularly peer-to-peer learning and long-term continuation of the women’s network, were highlighted.

Next steps will include one-to-one mentoring sessions in May, and our next Living Lab in June, which will include filming and a round of Pecha Kuchas.

Inside the 7th Scottish Living Lab: showcase, training, and future steps Read More »

Norwegian Living Lab delivers concrete solutions and expert insights

General, Norway / GC WP6

A productive and insightful day unfolded at the Living Lab meeting in Norway, where women entrepreneurs gathered to tackle business challenges and gain valuable input from a panel of experts. The event, running from 10:00 to 16:00, provided a structured platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

The day began with the usual warm welcome, allowing participants to settle in, sign the participant list and enjoy a coffee. Following introductions from Eduardo/Giste Producciones and a rundown of the day’s programme, the session kicked off with a “check-in” around the table. This familiar exercise allowed each participant to share their progress and any developments that had taken place since the last meeting, providing valuable context for the day’s discussions.

Anita spoke about the showcase event in Vilnius, offering her insights and reflections, before giving the floor to Rita who gave instructions about the reflection tool that they would be using during the pitching exercise.

Lunch was held at Borgstua, providing a relaxed setting for further networking, interviews and photos to capture the event’s atmosphere before returning for the pitching exercise and panel discussion in the afternoon.

The pitching exercise was a resounding success. Each woman had five minutes to present her case and outline the specific challenges she faced in her business. Each presentation was followed by two minutes of silent reflection enabling everyone to consider potential solutions before engaging in a 15-minute brainstorming session.

This exercise had been previously implemented internally within the Living Lab, but this time the format included guests who enhanced the experience by contributing additional input and feedback as well as a wide range of perspectives. In fact, the participants highlighted this session as one of the most effective LL activities.

The panel of experts was composed of:

Åslaug Hennissen, Senior Advisor, Department of Business, Trondheim Municipality;
Gunn Turid Kvam, Research Leader, Ruralis;
Asbjørn Karlsen, Professor in Economic Geography, NTNU;
Sonia Ahmadi, PhD Candidate, NTNU Entrepreneurship and Education;
Aslaug Rustad, General Manager, Oi! Trøndersk Mat og Drikke.

Their contributions enriched the discussions, offering valuable insights and practical solutions. The diverse expertise of these guests, spanning local government, research, academia, and industry, ensured a well-rounded and impactful session.

The Norwegian Living Lab meeting was a successful example of a collaborative environment, delivering tangible results and empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and support needed to overcome their business challenges. The combination of structured exercises and expert input proved to be a powerful formula for success.

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Confabulare Open Air: Discovering Murgia through books, nature, and community

General, Italy / GC WP6

Take a unique journey into the heart of Murgia, where literature and nature come together in an immersive experience. Confabulare Open Air is a literary festival that blends outdoor adventures, author meetings, and tastings of local delicacies, creating a meaningful and engaging event for the whole family.

Murgia, with its striking karst landscape, forms the heart of Puglia, a distinctive region that hosts Alta Murgia National Park, Italy’s first rural park, established in 2004. In this breathtaking setting Confabulare Open Air comes to life, celebrating the deep connection between books and the natural world through a series of enriching and convivial experiences.

Taking place over three Sundays in March, the festival is designed for children and families, offering open-air activities, eco-friendly picnics, and the chance to meet exceptional authors. Guided treks provide an opportunity to explore the landscape with fresh eyes, while storytelling sessions and author talks bring narratives to life in the great outdoors. The festival also embraces the region’s culinary heritage, with tastings of traditional products that reflect the history and flavours of Murgia. Younger participants can explore the agricultural cycles of olive oil, wheat, and wine in hands-on, educational workshop led by the Cooperativa Sociale Ulixes.

Confabulare Open Air 2025 is organised by Libreria L’Agorà – Bottega delle Nuvole, in collaboration with local institutions and associations and with the support of regional and EU public funding. Key partners include the Bio-District of Lame, a core element of the GRASS CEILING project’s Italian Living Lab. The women innovators from GRASS CEILING will share their experiences and present their artisanal products, offering valuable insights into the importance of staying connected to the land and local roots.

More than just a festival, Confabulare Open Air is an invitation to slow down, immerse yourself in stories inspired by the land, and reconnect with nature through culture, food, and walking.

It’s an experience to embrace with curiosity and an open mind.

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Anita Galåen: “It’s important to find balance, slow down when needed, and ensure that your work enhances your life instead of consuming it”

General, Human Stories, Norway, Video journeys / GC WP6

Anita Galåen is not just a farmer but an innovator dedicated to transforming agricultural production into a more sustainable and cooperative model. Living in Røros, Norway, she has spent years developing a working method that reduces waste, fosters collaboration among local producers, and ensures every resource is used to its full potential. Her approach is rooted in a deep commitment to sustainability in terms of environmental impact and creating a more balanced and fulfilling way of life for those involved in food production.

Her project, Green Co-creation, is an initiative that focuses on making the most of existing resources on farms, repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste, and fostering partnerships between different producers. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: rather than working in isolation, farmers and food producers can support each other, creating products together and ensuring that no valuable ingredient is wasted. A great example of this philosophy is the new line of sustainable desserts she has developed, which are now sold in shops across Norway, an achievement she is very proud of. These desserts are not just about taste; they tell a story of sustainability and collaboration. One of them incorporates honey that would otherwise be discarded—specifically, the honey that gets stuck in machinery during the extraction process and is difficult to package. Although this honey is delicious, it often goes unused. By incorporating it into her desserts, Anita reduces waste and highlights local beekeepers’ work. One of the desserts also has a cookie base made out of the leftover crumbs from a local cookie factory’s production. These are just two examples of how, with imagination and initiative, Anita manages to create delicious, sustainable, and unique products through cooperation between local producers. For Anita, sustainability goes beyond food production. She is deeply committed to building a work-life balance that allows farmers, especially women, to thrive professionally and personally. “Sustainability isn’t just about the products you make—it’s about life itself. It’s important to find balance, slow down when needed, and ensure that your work enhances your life instead of consuming it.”

Participating in networks like Rørosmat –a collective of local food and drink producers– or the GRASS CEILING project, has been essential in fostering her collaboration to ensure that small-scale farmers can compete in the marketplace. These networks provide mutual support and a space to share challenges and solutions, highlighting the importance of community in entrepreneurship. Anita continues to reap success with her project and is clear about the next step. “I would like to export the Green Co-creation model so anyone can use it. I firmly believe that the way to stand out in the market is through alliances between small producers to create something unique, something sustainable, and something that tells a story.“

Anita Galåen: “It’s important to find balance, slow down when needed, and ensure that your work enhances your life instead of consuming it” Read More »