FROM FIELD TO LEADER: Educational workshops for female farmers in Poland
EIT Food, in partnership with Danone and the Hentoku Development Institute, invites Polish female farmers to participate in a specialized educational workshop and become part of a network of exceptional women leading the transformation of the agri-food sector.
Workshops with the same agenda will be conducted in two different locations in Poland (19.11 in Poznań and 21.11 in Paniówki) with a maximum number of 30 participants. The event offers hands-on workshops designed to enhance practical skills in problem-solving and foster valuable networking opportunities. Participants will hear inspiring stories from female role models and connect with fellow farmers who face similar challenges. Through practical exercises attendees will develop and refine their problem-solving abilities, equipping them to address daily challenges in their farming operations.
Workshops aim
The aim of the workshop is to reduce gender inequalities and equalize opportunities for active engagement of everyone in the agri-food industry by strengthening the role of women in this sector. Furthermore, empowering female farmers by equipping them with knowledge enabling underpinning skills and specific business skills development, as well as supporting them to build a network of valuable contacts.
Key benefits for participants include:
- the opportunity to build valuable connections with fellow farmers, industry experts, and mentors who can support in addressing daily challenges
- enhanced skills in formulating insightful questions and making informed decisions in complex situations
- mastery of the 4-step model for effective problem-solving, with a focus on practical application
- greater awareness of the importance of pausing to reflect before making decisions, both at work and in personal life.
EIT Food Competency Framework
Trainers facilitating the workshops are committed to developing problem-solving competencies in alignment with the EIT Food Competency Framework, depicted as thinking activity among underpinning capabilities.
Designed specifically for Polish female farmers, workshops are targeting the EXPLORE level of teaching competency. Workshops aim to introduce participants to fundamental problem-solving skills and methods that can be applied in their agricultural practices. This competency is crucial for effectively addressing and overcoming challenges in the agrifood sector.
Agenda
09:30-10:00 Registration
10:00-10:50 Introduction and presentations of partners & group integration
10:50-11:00 Coffee break
11:00-11:30 Special quest
11:30-11:40 Coffee break
11:40-13:20 “Rubik's Cube” experience - problem solving in practice
13:20-14:05 Lunch break
14:05-15:05 Treasure map & Solution-focused approach - 4-step method of solving problems.
- Ranks and privileges - How to use them effectively in solving problems?
- Questions and Beliefs - The Impact of Mindset on Problem Solving
15:05-15:10 Refreshment Break
15:10-16:00 Key Takeaways and Creating Your Solution-Focused Action Plan
16:00-16:15 Refreshment Break
16:15-17:30 Wrap-up & Moderated Networking
External experts
- Joanna Burnos: Founder of LEADERIS Institute. Expert of Team Europe Direct. Director of Western Balkans Women’s Academy BAZA. Specialist in leadership, diversity and inclusiveness. Co-creator and co-host of the podcast “Departament Kobiet”. She also gained professional experience in an international financial corporation and a consulting company. Graduate of Leon Koźmiński Academy, European Academy of Diplomacy and European Women’s Academy in Brussels. Scholarship holder of Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management at the Free University of Brussels. Member of the Society of Polish Economists, Advisory Board of The Alliance of Her, Women in International Security, as well as the Program Board of the European Economic Congress in Katowice and Horizon CEE’24 in Warsaw. Speaker and moderator of numerous national and international conferences and author of articles on personal development, women’s leadership and international affairs.
- Renata Krysiak: CEO at VegeLIO, Forbes Woman 50 over 50, secondary school teacher, lecturer. Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme alumna in Poland.
- Katarzyna Cukierska: personal development trainer, career advisor, educator, graduate of the Leadership School of the Polish - American Freedom Foundation, certified business trainer of the Elżbieta and Robert Soltys Trainers' School. Author and implementer of many educational and social projects on the subject of developing social and civic competences, leadership and intergenerational cooperation. Main founder and for 8 years director of the Elżbieta Soltys School with Passion in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. Fascinated by the group process, workshop methods and mentoring. Active on the job market and in the workshop room for 20 years.
- Natalia Siniłło: andragog, soft skills trainer and coach. Passionate about interpersonal and intrapersonal communication, empathy, stress management, emotional intelligence, public speaking and building lasting relationships. She creates her own brand Cup of Me and works as a trainer with EY Academy of Business. A charismatic leader in the spirit of empathetic leadership, focusing on authenticity and not afraid of emotions. With over 12 years of experience in the event, training, HORECA industries and co-creating the CIC Innovation Campus for several years, she has gained knowledge and practical skills that allow her to create innovative solutions and introduce positive changes in business environments. After hours she mentors students at the University of Warsaw.
- Paulina Kopeć: Project Manager of the Polish Association of Rural Housewives' Circles, initiator and coordinator of activities within the structures of the Association. Author of numerous social and commercial campaigns that support the mission and goals of the Association, which currently brings together over 3,300 Rural Housewives' Circles from Poland. Her projects strengthen both local communities and promote Polish traditions and the rural lifestyle.
- Lidia Moroń - Morawska: beekeeper, co-author of the "Great Encyclopedia of Beekeeping", speaker and winner of the "Woman for the Polish Village" award in 2023 presented by the Minister of Agriculture in Poland and winner of the "Farmers as the engine of innovation" competition in 2024 organized by the National Council of Agricultural Chambers. Participant of the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) program, in which she started as the only farmer among female entrepreneurs, presenting an innovative product related to beekeeping. Her activities focus on creating strong, short supply chains and supporting local markets, including through projects implemented under the M16 "Cooperation" program. Leader of the "Małopolska Food Producers Group" Operational Group, member of the "Polish Ginger" Operational Group. She actively works for the development of rural areas, implementing innovative solutions in agriculture and supporting other women in the agrifood sector.
- Maria Sikorska: President and founder of the Association of Innovation Leaders. Initiator of activities to promote and strengthen women actively working in rural areas and gender equality in rural and agricultural innovation systems in Poland. Journalist, host of the television program "Z klimatem i z pasjÄ…" broadcast on Polsat. Member of the Council of Women in Agriculture at the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.
About the trainers
Anita Michalska – trainer specializing in psychosocial skills in business, coach, and partner at the Hentoku Development Institute. In her work, she combines various psychological approaches and leverages her 19 years of professional experience, during which she led different companies in the financial sector. Anita has conducted over 13,000 hours of coaching sessions and group workshops, helping both women and men better manage their businesses, teams and personal lifes. She specializes in communication. problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Anna Maria Bering – consultant and facilitator, and partner at the Hentoku Development Institute. Since 2017, she has conducted design workshops and developmental retreats, and since 2021, she has been leading workshops and training for business owners and managers from companies like Mastercard Processing, Danone, Generali, StoneX, and Unilever. She studied in Australia and had extensive international experience working with startups from Poland, the UK, and the USA. Her specialties include creating development strategies, process improvement solutions, and topics related to stress management.
About Danone
Danone is a leader in creating high-quality, tasty and valuable dairy products and plant-based products. They are produced using carefully selected raw materials, expert knowledge and many years of experience. Recognising the changing needs and preferences of consumers, the company is constantly developing its offer. All this to make it easier to make better food choices every day. The first Danone products appeared in Poland in 1991. Today, the company employs over 1,500 people, and its heart is in the production plant in Bieruń. This is where yoghurts and cheeses are produced, which are sold on the domestic market and to over 20 other countries in Europe and the United States.
Danone is part of the DANONE group of companies. In Poland, DANONE operates in 3 areas that are important for proper nutrition: dairy products and plant-based products (Danone), water and beverages (Żywiec Zdrój), specialist nutrition, including food for infants and young children and food for special medical purposes (Nutricia Polska). All companies in the DANONE group of companies are united by a dual commitment to sustainable economic and social development and a mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible. Through the products offered and the projects and programs implemented - in line with the common vision of One Planet. One Health - DANONE companies encourage making the right food choices every day, and also contribute to the health of future generations and a better state of our planet. In 8 locations in the country, over 3,000 people are employed, developing professionally in a safe and friendly work environment. Get to know the DANONE group of companies by visiting https://danone.pl/en/