The bustling agrifood sector exerts a colossal influence on climate change. One-third of all food purchases go to waste, while a full third of greenhouse gas emissions stem from the food industry. Furthermore, only one-third of freshwater withdrawals are attributed to sectors outside of agriculture. It’s abundantly clear that a radical rethinking of our food system is in order. To truly effect change, we require innovators with a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences to offer up unique, outside-the-box solutions. Embracing diversity and fostering inclusion are essential components of transforming the entire food system.
In a momentous leap forward for the agrifood landscape, the Women in Agrifood Summit 2023 took place in the picturesque Talent Garden Vilnius in Lithuania on December 1st. This landmark event, spearheaded by EIT Food and facilitated by AgriFood Lithuania DIH, marked the culmination of the 4th edition of the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) program. EIT Food, championed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), stands as the global leader in the food innovation community, propelling innovation to construct a food system that’s primed for the future.
The summit’s resonant theme, “Balance for the Future: Why Food Systems Need Balance and What Does It Really Mean?” served as a captivating focal point, drawing together esteemed speakers and pioneering women from across Europe. Their aim? To delve into the collective efforts necessary to shape the future of the venerable agrifood industry.
The significance of empowering women and narrowing the gender gap in the agrifood system extends far beyond mere statistics; it directly enriches the lives of women and bolsters societal advancement at large. Marja-Liisa Meurice, Director of EIT Food North-East, underscored the pivotal role played by diverse sustainability and circularity in fostering a balanced agrifood sector. In fact, organizations that prioritize inclusion prove to be six times more innovative and agile, according to Agnieszka Wojdyr, the Policy Officer from DG GROW at the European Commission.
Magdalena Gryszko-Szántó, the Innovation Officer and Gender Equality Lead at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), shed light on the correlation between a country’s position on the European Institute for Gender Equality’s Gender Equality Index and its standing on the European Innovation Scoreboard. She hammered home the urgency of rectifying systemic issues and safeguarding institutions against gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
A stout core is indispensable for tackling the trials that lie ahead, as elucidated by Aleksandra Bara from EIT Food North-East. At the Summit, the Walks of EWA Fame shone a spotlight on 11 mentees who exchanged invaluable insights on the challenges plaguing the agrifood sector, forged meaningful connections with potential partners, and showcased their innovative ideas and success stories.
Upon contemplation of the Women in Agrifood Summit 2023, it becomes exceedingly apparent that the collaborative spirit on display at the event stands as a sterling blueprint for a balanced and prosperous future within the agrifood industry. The summit has sounded the clarion call for ongoing collaboration and innovation, paving the way for a future steeped in diversity and balance at the very core of the sector’s success.
The Empowering Women in Agrifood – EWA programme champions women in the cultivation of their agri-food business activities through training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. It aims to comprehensively bolster female entrepreneurs in the nascent stages of their careers and will reconvene in 2024.
EIT Food, the world’s preeminent food innovation community, ardently champions the construction of a future-fit food system that yields wholesome and sustainable sustenance for all. With the overarching goal of revolutionizing the food system and placing consumers at the epicenter of their work, they strive to engender trust by reconnecting individuals with the roots of their food.
