Call for participants from Southern Countries to join Empowering in Agrifood Programme (EWA) 2024

What is EWA programme?

Empowering Women in Agrifood programme aims to provide comprehensive support to women in their early-stage entrepreneurial path in discovering their potential, providing them with appropriate knowledge and access to a wide network of contacts so that they can successfully set up and develop a sustainable business in the agrifood industry. During the programme EWA participants take part in dedicated trainings, workshops and events, while developing ideas under the individual supervision of a professional female or male Mentor.

Who can participate?

Any person who identifies as a woman over the age of 18 can fill out an online application for the programme. There is no upper age limit. The programme is dedicated to both women who have only a business idea and women who are already running a business, but it should be at a very early stage of development. In the case of running a business, the date of its legal registration should not exceed three years, and in the case of previously received funding, it may not exceed EUR 30,000.

Participants must be located in any of the Member States eligible for the programme.

For the Southern Region countries, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Türkiye are eligible countries.

Application process and deadlines

Applicants must complete the forms in the F6S platform (access via Typeform).

The call ends on 24 May at 23:59 CET for applicants resident in Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Applicants from Turkey can apply until 31 May at 23:59 CET.

What ideas are we looking for?

EWA programme supports ideas directly related to innovative activities and solutions for the agri-food sector that respond to the challenges currently faced by local markets.

In their assumptions, business ideas should also refer to at least one of the missions that the EIT Food organisation is guided by.

Learn more about EIT Food’s Missions here.

How programme will be delivered?

EWA programme will run in local languages for a period of 6 months up to 10 women per country. The proper organisation and conduct of all mandatory activities will be supervised by local subcontractors who will also ensure comfort and full support for programme participants.

Take a look at EWA's Terms and Conditions here and learn more all about the programme activities.

What are the benefits?

EWA supports women primarily in business, but it can also have a significant impact on personal development. Throughout the duration of the programme, participants work with a dedicated female or male mentor, receive the opportunity to participate in trainings tailored to their needs and in additional activities, local and international events. It is also an invaluable opportunity to establish new contacts. Participation in the programme is completely free of charge, Mentees receive additional financial support of up to 1,000 EUR gross per person during the programme, and after local pitching events they can receive a final grants of up to 10,000 EUR for further development of their ideas.