The panel will explore how rural regions can embrace innovation, digital transformation, and collaboration to overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities. With insights from leaders in governance, academia, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, the discussion will focus on practical strategies for fostering sustainable rural development, enhancing rural-urban partnerships,
and driving resilience through community-based approaches.

Objectives:

Highlight how innovative initiatives and digital tools can empower rural areas to achieve sustainable growth and connectivity.

• Discuss strategies for building resilient communities through governance, education,
  entrepreneurship, and agricultural leadership.
• Showcase the importance of bridging rural and urban divides to address shared challenges and
  leverage collaborative opportunities.
• Inspire action among stakeholders to implement transformative solutions that ensure the long-term vitality of rural regions.

Topics for Discussion:

Local Governance and Rural Development:

• The role of municipalities in promoting sustainability and innovation within rural communities.
• Strategies for fostering rural-urban connections to ensure balanced development and mutual benefits.

Education and Skills for Rural Transformation:

• The role of academic institutions in equipping rural communities with the knowledge and skills
  needed for sustainable and digital practices.
• How education can serve as a bridge between traditional agriculture and modern technological
  advancements.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Rural Areas:

• Approaches to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises
  (SMEs) in rural regions.
• How innovation and digital solutions can drive economic growth and resilience in rural economies.

Agricultural Leadership in Community Development:

• The pivotal role of farmers and agricultural organizations in shaping sustainable and thriving rural regions.
• How agricultural leadership can influence economic and social vitality in rural communities.

The panel will deep dive into the pivotal role of food processing in transforming food systems towards
sustainability and resilience. It will explore how digital and smart technologies enhance efficiency and innovation, address policy implications, and highlight the contributions of food processing to economic
growth and sustainable development. Featuring insights and practical solutions, the session aims to inspire both SMEs and large companies to embrace innovative approaches in food processing.

Panel Objectives:

Highlight the essential role of food processing in transitioning towards a more sustainable and resilient food system.

Explore the impact of digital innovation and smart solutions on enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of food processing.

Discuss policy implications and the need for increased attention to food processing within broader economic and environmental frameworks.

Showcase practical applications and solutions for both SMEs and large companies aiming to integrate innovative approaches in food processing.

Discussion Topics:

Food Processing and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Insights into how food processing contributes to SDGs, with perspectives on creating healthier, environmentally friendly food products.

Health and Sustainability in Product Development: Strategies for making food products healthier and more sustainable, focusing on how processing technologies contribute to these goals.

Digital and Smart Technologies in Food Processing: Case studies and experiences in implementing advanced technologies to optimize product quality and sustainability.

Role of Clusters and Ecosystem Partners: How clusters and partnerships support companies, especially SMEs, in adopting and scaling smart solutions in food processing.

Policy-Level Impact of Food Processing on the Economy: An analysis of food processing’s economic contribution, highlighting its role within the agrifood sector and suggesting policy-level attention for supporting innovation in this area.

This panel will examine the innovative concept of using carbon as a strategic asset in transforming the agrifood sector. Bringing together leaders in policy, entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices, the discussion will focus on how carbon management can drive economic growth, enhance sustainability, and position the agrifood sector as a key player in the global green transition.

Panel Objectives:

• Explore the role of carbon management in advancing sustainability and resilience within the agrifood sector.
• Showcase innovative business models and entrepreneurial solutions for integrating carbon reduction and sequestration into agrifood practices.
• Highlight the alignment of EU policies and green initiatives with industry needs and opportunities for collaborative action.
• Inspire stakeholders to adopt scalable solutions that balance profitability with sustainability.

Discussion Topics:

Policy Frameworks for Carbon Management:

• Insights into EU strategies for land economy and carbon removals.
• Opportunities for the agrifood sector to align with climate action goals.

Innovative Carbon Solutions in AgriFood:

• How businesses are leveraging carbon as an economic driver.
• The role of digital tools and technology in carbon traceability and optimization.

Entrepreneurial Impact on Carbon Programs:

• Case studies from leading innovators
• Challenges and opportunities in scaling carbon solutions within agrifood ecosystems.

Bridging Policy and Practice:

• The importance of green advocacy and practical approaches to integrating carbon strategies.
• How policy, innovation, and business collaboration can create actionable roadmaps for the agrifood sector.

The panel will spotlight the critical role of women in shaping the future of the agrifood sector, focusing on their leadership in driving sustainable and innovative solutions. With an emphasis on overcoming gender barriers, fostering inclusivity, and enabling women-led initiatives, the discussion will highlight actionable strategies to empower women entrepreneurs and leaders. The session will also explore how supportive policies and financial resources can catalyze innovation and sustainability in the agrifood ecosystem.

Objectives:

Showcase the leadership and innovation of women in the agrifood sector, emphasizing their contributions to sustainability.

Discuss strategies for addressing gender inequities and fostering inclusivity in the agrifood value chain.

Highlight the role of policy and financial frameworks in empowering women-led ventures and supporting innovation.

Inspire collaboration and action to create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs and leaders in agrifood.

Topics for Discussion:

Leadership and Innovation in AgriFood:

• Success stories of women leaders driving impactful and sustainable agrifood solutions.
• How women’s leadership is transforming traditional practices and fostering innovation in the sector.

Overcoming Gender Barriers:

• Identifying challenges faced by women in agrifood, including cultural, structural, and financial barriers.
• Strategies and best practices for reducing gender inequities and supporting inclusivity at all levels.

Fostering Women-Led Innovation:

• The role of supportive policies, funding mechanisms, and mentorship in enabling women-led ventures.
• Opportunities for collaboration to accelerate innovation and create lasting impact in agrifood sustainability.

The panel panel will explore diverse approaches to achieving sustainability in the agrifood sector, emphasizing bioeconomy strategies, regenerative agricultural practices, and innovative solutions. The discussion will address the challenges of greenwashing while focusing on authenticity and accountability in achieving sustainable outcomes. Expert perspectives will highlight actionable strategies for businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders to create high-quality food systems that align with environmental and social goals.

Objectives:

Highlight the potential of bioeconomy and regenerative agriculture to reshape agrifood systems sustainably.

Discuss the role of innovative technologies, including digital tools and big data, in enhancing transparency and efficiency.

Address the issue of greenwashing and provide frameworks for achieving genuine, measurable sustainability in agrifood practices.

Explore policy and legal perspectives to support sustainability goals, ensuring compliance and fostering trust.

Inspire cross-sectoral collaboration among businesses, policymakers, and researchers to achieve transformative sustainability.

Discussion Topics:

Bioeconomy and Regenerative Practices:

• The role of bioeconomy strategies in reducing environmental impact and optimizing resource use.
• Practical applications of regenerative agricultural practices to enhance soil health and ecosystem resilience.

Legal and ESG Frameworks for Sustainability:

• Insights into regulatory challenges and opportunities for businesses aiming to adopt sustainable practices.
• How ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) compliance can drive accountability and credibility in the agrifood sector.

Digital Innovation and Big Data:

• Leveraging digital tools and big data for monitoring, traceability, and sustainability reporting in agrifood systems.
• Case studies showcasing the integration of digital innovation to enhance efficiency and quality in food production.

Greenwashing vs. Authentic Sustainability:

• Identifying and avoiding greenwashing practices in the agrifood sector.
• Strategies to ensure measurable, verifiable outcomes that align with sustainability goals.

Policy and Collaborative Approaches:

• How European policies and Horizon Europe projects can support sustainable innovation in agrifood.
• The importance of partnerships between legal, business, and research stakeholders to scale effective solutions.

Ahead of the panel discussion, we will showcase the FARMTOPIA project, a groundbreaking initiative driving sustainability in agrifood through bioeconomy strategies, regenerative practices, and innovative solutions. FARMTOPIA exemplifies the transformative approaches needed to build high-quality, sustainable food systems.

This dynamic session will feature 10 promising startups from the EWA (Empowering Women in AgriFood) Program, each presenting their innovative solutions to challenges in the agrifood sector. Each startup will have 4 minutes to pitch their business idea, followed by a 4-minute Q&A session where investors and industry experts will provide feedback and insights.

The session offers a unique platform for these women-led ventures to showcase their groundbreaking ideas, gain valuable feedback, and connect with potential investors and collaborators. It highlights the role of women entrepreneurs in driving sustainable innovation and fostering transformation in the agrifood ecosystem.

The panel will focus on the practical experiences and insights gained through supporting women-led businesses in the agrifood sector. Rather than highlighting general leadership themes, the discussion will center on actionable lessons learned from real-world challenges and the specific strategies that have enabled women entrepreneurs to scale their ventures. The panel will also explore emerging opportunities for growth, sustainability, and innovation, offering valuable advice on navigating the complexities of the agrifood market and building resilient businesses.

Objectives:

Share real-world lessons learned from mentoring and supporting women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector.

Identify opportunities to scale women-led ventures through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.

Provide practical strategies to overcome challenges and access resources, including funding and networks.

Inspire women entrepreneurs to leverage mentorship and partnerships to unlock their potential in agrifood markets.

Topics for Discussion:

Lessons Learned from Mentorship and Support:

• Insights into the specific challenges faced by women-led ventures and the strategies used to overcome them.
• The impact of mentorship in building confidence, resilience, and strategic thinking.

Opportunities for Scaling and Growth:

• Exploring trends and market opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector.
• How funding programs, innovation ecosystems, and networks can accelerate growth.

Innovation as a Growth Driver:

• Practical advice on integrating innovative practices and sustainable solutions to create competitive businesses.
• Examples of how women-led ventures have successfully utilized technology or unique value propositions to scale.

Building Resilient Businesses:

• Strategies to adapt to challenges in dynamic markets and create lasting impact.
• The importance of fostering partnerships and collaboration for sustained success.