The first meeting of the Agro Woman Program Council in 2025 is behind us. It was an opportunity to discuss our goals and planned initiatives for the coming months. The central theme of the discussion was the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and their significance for the development of women’s entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector. We reflected on our past efforts and explored new initiatives we aim to implement to effectively support women working in agro-food.
The meeting also served as a moment to summarize our achievements from 2024. The past year was a time of intensive activity and significant successes for Agro Woman:
- We organized the second edition of the Agro Woman conference, dedicated to women in agriculture, which received great interest and positive feedback.
- We successfully completed Poland’s first pilot mentoring program aimed at entrepreneurial women in the agricultural sector.
- In collaboration with the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences, we conducted the first nationwide study on the socio-professional situation of women farmers.
Equality and diversity are the foundation of a just society, and they must include both female leaders and women managing farms. Supporting women farmers is not just a matter of fairness—it is an investment in the future of the agri-food sector, which needs the skills, experience, and perspective of women. Poland now has a unique opportunity to show that gender equality is not just a declaration, but a real tool for strengthening the economy and the European community. Strong women in the countryside mean strong agriculture—and strong agriculture is a stable future for all.
– said Karolina Tarnawska, President of the Agro Woman Foundation, during the meeting.
Our efforts also included numerous meetings that became valuable platforms for sharing experiences and best practices among women in the agro-food sector, both in Poland and internationally. This cooperation allowed us to build a network of contacts and create a space for further development and mutual support.
The Polish Presidency of the EU Council is a moment when we can effectively shape Europe’s approach to agriculture, including the role of women in the sector. Participating in the preparations for the Presidency allowed us to ensure that the broad spectrum of social interests was reflected in its priorities, including the voices of women representing this industry. It’s not only a chance to build a strong support network on both national and international levels but also an opportunity to drive real change that enhances the visibility and impact of women in agriculture. A stronger presence of women farmers in European dialogue is a step toward a more sustainable and equitable agri-food sector.
– emphasized Małgorzata Bojańczyk, Vice President of the Agro Woman Foundation and a member of the NGO Council for the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
In 2025, we plan to continue our current initiatives and expand our activities with new projects that will further strengthen the position of women in the agri-food sector. We will place particular emphasis on building a strong support network at the national and European levels, as well as developing international cooperation.
Agro Woman’s partner is the Polish Association of Sustainable Agriculture and Food. Our content partner is the Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development of the Polish Academy of Sciences, which supports us in research and analytical activities. The Embassies of France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Germany have taken patronage over our international cooperation—this strengthens our presence on the international stage and allows us to develop initiatives with real impact on the situation of women in the agri-food sector in Poland and across Europe.