5th Edition of EWA Programme in Central-Eastern Europe

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 (Mentees) take part in dedicated trainings, workshops and events, while developing ideas under the individual supervision of a professional mentor.

The main goal of the EWA Programme is to tackle the existing gender gap within the agrifood sector by extending support, training, and mentorship specifically to women entrepreneurs. Over the past four years, the initiative has successfully empowered over 370 female entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools and resources essential for success in the industry.

What are the benefits?

• 6 months of ongoing support
• 1:1 personalised mentoring
• online and offline trainings on specific business topics
• access to a network of investors, industry experts, and corporates
• financial support of up to 1,000 EUR gross for each Mentee
• chance to win up to 10,000 EUR (final grant) for further development of the idea
• participation in the programme is completely free of charge

What ideas are they 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. The biggest interest EIT Food puts on 3 missions, which are healthier lives through food, a net zero food system, and reducing risk for a fair and resilient food system.

How programme will be delivered?

• EWA programme will run in local languages for 6 months supporting 70 female participants from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine (10 women per country). The proper organisation and conduct of all mandatory activities will be supervised by local organizations, ensuring comfort and full support for programme participants.

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 the early stage of development.
• In the case of running a business, the date of its legal registration should not exceed 3 years, and in the case of previously received funding, it may not exceed EUR 60,000.

For more information, visit EIT Food.