Deadline: 31 July 2025
CIHEAM Bari and AUT – Agricultural University of Tirana, within the framework of the project EmpowerHer Green – Promoting Female Entrepreneurship and the Green Transition in Albania and Italy, funded by the Cooperation Programme “L.R. 20/2003 Notice 2024”, hereby invite expressions of interest for the selection of 20 women entrepreneurs (10 Italian and 10 Albanian).
Objectives
- The objective is to establish a collaborative partnership to develop “Innovative Green Solutions” in the agri-food sector.
“EMPOWERHER-LAB” Training Programme
- Selected candidates will participate in the “EMPOWERHER-LAB” training programme, which includes:
- A four-day in-person bootcamp at the Agricultural University of Tirana,scheduled for 23 to 26 September 2025, covering the following modules:
- Discover & Define: Framing the Challenges
- Build & Explore: Innovation for Sustainability
- Validate & Refine: Market Fit and Impact
- Pitch & Celebrate: Presentation of Solutions
- 4 virtual workshops led by international lecturers and experts, focusing on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and resource efficiency
- 4 online networking sessions (2 group meetups and 2 individual meetings)
- Participation in the networking event during the Mediterranean Innovation Agrifood Week at CIHEAM Bari, from 25 to 28 November 2025.
- A four-day in-person bootcamp at the Agricultural University of Tirana,scheduled for 23 to 26 September 2025, covering the following modules:
The Project
- The project promotes cross-border partnerships to develop ideas, best practices, and collaborative initiatives in the green transition sector. Activities include the organisation of:
- 1 bootcamp at the University of Tirana
- 8 workshops, both in-person and online
- 1 networking event
Eligibility Criteria
- The call is open to young women entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs who satisfy the following conditions:
- Hold Italian or Albanian citizenship
- Have reached the age of 18 by the date of application submission
- Possess at least a secondary school diploma (minimum requirement)
- No criminal convictions, pending criminal proceedings, nor any civil or administrative sanctions recorded on their judicial record Have no criminal convictions, pending criminal cases, or any civil or administrative sanctions recorded in their judicial record
- Are either part of an existing enterprise or of an informal team with innovative ideas in the following sectors:
- Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
- Social Innovation
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Smart Farming
- Crop Protection & Fertilizers
- Biotech
- Livestock & Poultry
- Farming & Robotics
- Innovative Food Products
- Valorization of Negleted and Underutilised Crops (Nus)
- Novel Farming Systems
- Post Harvest
- Farm to Consumer
- Recycling and Waste Management
- Irrigation & Water Management
- Sustainable Fisheries
- Aquaculture
- Sustainable Tourism
- Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Transport
- Sustainable Building
- Sustainable Diet
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
For more information, visit CIHEAM Bari.
