On November 26th, the second edition of the Grass Ceiling Showcase Event took place in Vilnius. It brought together women participants from the nine partner countries in the programme. This event was part of the AgriFood Lithuania 2024 Forum, Lithuania’s leading primary sector event, which attracted hundreds
of attendees. Positioning the Showcase Event within this programme was a significant achievement, as it showcased the project’s existence to the entire
Lithuanian primary sector and helped disseminate the success stories of the participating women widely.
The participants included Ines Dundović (Croatia), Karen Keane (Ireland), Annalisa Pellegrini (Italy), Justė Jankauskienė (Lithuania), Anita Rennemo Galåen (Norway), Aoife Gould (Scotland), Amada de Salas (Spain), Emma Hartelius (Sweden), and Irene Beukeveld-Evers (Netherlands). They explained their projects and challenges to the audience during a pitch session.
“Participating in events like this is very positive for me, as it allows me to meet entrepreneurial women from different fields, learn how they work, and share experiences,” said Anita Galåen, Farm CEO of Galåvolden Gård. (See bellow: Grass Ceiling Youtube channel)
“Grass Ceiling has been revolutionary for me. It has given me the confidence to trust in my project and turn it from a hobby into my livelihood,” shared Aoife Gould, a farmer from the Scottish Highlands with her sustainable project, Dun Flashadder Cottage Croft. (See bellow: Grass Ceiling Youtube channel)
The Showcase Event had a packed agenda. In addition to the various project pitches, the event hosted several talks where attendants from all countries discussed the main milestones and objectives of the project represented by the different Work Packages. Coordinators and academics leading each WP presented the latest findings in rural innovation, barriers to female entrepreneurship, and the content of the EU Policy Forum, which began on October 7th and has included the organisation of various workshops throughout the project’s duration.
“The main conclusion we have drawn is the importance of empowering these women through various means, such as education, access to funding, and training,” said Kristina Šermukšnytė-Alešiūnienė, Director of AgriFood Lithuania and host of the event.
“Women are taking significant steps in the primary sector and making a great contribution to rural communities,” concluded Branwen, co-organiser of the event and Senior Policy Advisor at Copa-Cogeca.
