Archives: Agenda

• From 23 to 25 June 2025, the partners of the EU funded INSIST-VAT project (Institutional, Sustainable and Innovative Strengthening of Vocational Agricultural Training in Albania) met at the Agricultural University of Tirana.
• CIHEAM Zaragoza works with leading institutions in this project to establish a permanent training centre in Albania and develop innovative training initiatives adapted to the needs of the sector and the demands of the job market.

A new European Union-funded project is set to boost agricultural training, knowledge exchange, and rural innovation in Albania, with CIHEAM Zaragoza playing a key role as a partner institution. The INSIST-VAT project (Institutional, Sustainable and Innovative Strengthening of Vocational Agricultural Training in Albania) will establish a permanent training centre at the Agricultural University of Tirana by 2027. This centre will provide modern, practical training programmes for farmers, agricultural advisors, and institutional staff across Albania.

Supporting Albania’s agricultural future

The project directly supports Albania’s national rural development strategy, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in January 2022, which identifies agricultural knowledge as essential for building sustainable food systems. By creating accessible, high-quality training opportunities, INSIST-VAT will help Albanian farmers adapt to climate change and compete in global markets.

“This project is a clear step forward in strengthening an agricultural knowledge system that serves Albanian farmers and producers. By tailoring training to local needs and strengthening regional ties” said Fatbardh Sallaku, Rector of the Agricultural University of Tirana. “We are investing in a future where Albanian farmers can thrive in a changing climate and global market”.

Strong international partnership

INSIST-VAT brings together eight partner organisations from four countries. From Albania, the project includes the Agricultural University of Tirana, the Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre Fushë Krujë, and the Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre Korçë. French partners comprise CIHEAM Montpellier (serving as project coordinator), the Agricultural Technical Coordination Association (ACTA), and the Association for Quality in Research and Higher Education (QUARES). The University of Prishtina represents Kosovo, whilst CIHEAM Zaragoza brings Spanish expertise to the consortium.

First steps underway

The project was officially launched in January 2025, with the first steering committee meeting held in Tirana from 23 to 24 June. This event brought together all consortium partners to review progress, align on key objectives, and engage with Albanian stakeholders during a high-level workshop on “New challenges for agriculture – new knowledge needs” which took place on 25 June. During the workshop, CIHEAM Zaragoza director, Raúl Compés, chaired a round table discussion on “The role of cooperation in the Albanian agricultural vocational education and training system and regional perspectives”.

The meeting included a visit to the Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre Fushë Krujë, giving partners direct insight into local agricultural innovation efforts.

Building long-term impact

Project coordinator Christophe Mur from CIHEAM Montpellier explained the project’s broader vision: “INSIST-VAT goes beyond delivering training; it aims to build a long-term knowledge system that enables Albanian farmers and institutions, and ultimately the ones in Kosovo, to drive agricultural transformation from the ground up.”

The new training centre will become a cornerstone of Albania’s Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) – a key pillar for building sustainable food systems and calls for accessible, high-quality training to strengthen producer capacity–, advancing vocational education and aligning with European quality standards. By engaging national departments and regional actors, the project will also help to ensure the long-term sustainability of training services and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

Project details

INSIST-VAT is funded through the EU’s Erasmus+ programme for Capacity Building in Vocational Education and Training, with a total budget of €395,674. The project runs until December 2027.

The initiative focuses on improving employment prospects and resilience for crop farmers in Albania, a member country of CIHEAM (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies).

• From 10 to 12 June 2025, CIHEAM Zaragoza and UfM, in partnership with CIHEAM General Secretariat and AECID, organised an international symposium to promote women’s empowerment through innovation and chart a path toward more inclusive and sustainable agro-food systems in the region.
• This scientific, technical and professional event brought together over one hundred participants from 15 countries (mainly from the Mediterranean region) and international organisations (FAO, OECD, European Commission, EESC, ICARDA, IWMI, GWP-Med), as well as actors from civil society, the business sector and the field of innovation.

The International Symposium on “Women’s Empowerment through Innovation in Mediterranean Agro-food Systems” created a great opportunity for coordinated action and revealed both the critical importance of women in Mediterranean agro-food systems and the substantial potential for gender-transformative change when appropriate resources and policies are implemented. As the region approaches the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026, the symposium established a solid foundation for scaling transformative interventions across diverse Mediterranean contexts.

Multilateral organisations and women-led rural innovation

The first session of the symposium emphasised that women constitute 36% of global agro-food employment yet face significant structural inequalities that limit their contributions and empowerment. Despite progress in closing the mobile internet gap, women continue to encounter discriminatory social norms, limited access to technology, and unequal access to essential resources. In North Africa, only 7% of women are landowners, highlighting the severity of land access disparities that affect women’s economic participation in agricultural value chains.

Multilateral organisations including FAO, OECD, the European Commission, and EESC have demonstrated effective approaches through targeted interventions across Mediterranean countries. Notable successes include FAO’s Greater Empowerment of Rural Women Project in Türkiye, which supported the Samandag Women’s Cooperative through equipment and skills training, and the GREAT Project in Albania, which established agribusiness incubators. The EU’s commitment through its Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilise €300 billion with gender mainstreaming in 85% of actions, while legislative reforms in countries such as Tunisia and Morocco have begun addressing structural barriers to women’s land and financial access.

Looking toward the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026, the session highlighted the need for gender-transformative approaches that challenge existing social norms while respecting local contexts and cultures. Key priorities include investing in care infrastructure, digital tools, and local value chains to retain women in rural areas and counter depopulation.

Challenges and transformative approaches

Women across the Mediterranean region are emerging as powerful environmental leaders despite facing significant challenges including discriminatory policies, cultural barriers, and difficulties accessing resources and technology. While rural women demonstrate remarkable resilience and leadership potential, continued investment in training, tools, and resources remains essential for sustainable progress.

Several innovative models and best practices were shared during the symposium showing effective approaches to women’s empowerment and social inclusion. In Lebanon, the Gender Up training programme and the Pro-Women Index, provided structured approaches to gender equality advancement. ICARDA’s comprehensive initiatives, emphasised inclusive innovation through mobile technology distribution and strategic youth engagement programmes. The important role of cooperatives and clusters in empowering less educated women in Tunisia was also stressed, creating supportive networks for economic participation. Additionally, the Theatre of the Oppressed emerged as a powerful methodology for challenging social norms and fostering meaningful dialogue around women’s rights and empowerment.

The evidence clearly demonstrates that while targeted interventions can generate transformative change, sustained impact requires continued youth engagement and substantial investment in institutional capacity development.

Rethinking education and economic empowerment

The symposium discussion emphasised that effective empowerment requires moving beyond traditional educational models towards more participatory, experiential approaches that build both technical competencies and personal confidence. The complexity of barriers facing women necessitates multi-faceted interventions that address both technical skills development and underlying structural constraints.

The exemplary models presented offered concrete evidence that innovative approaches combining technical training with mentoring, community engagement, and sustained support systems can achieve significant impact. The Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development‘s projects, funded by AECID, exemplify comprehensive support through their three-step approach encompassing product development training, inspirational visits, and continued technical support with coaching and feedback loops. The FOODTECH Agricultural Business Incubator in Tunisia further illustrates this integrated model by providing rural women innovators with comprehensive services. Additional evidence comes from regional initiatives such as the Initiative on Empowering Women in Water Diplomacy in the MENA Region and the Initiative on Gendering the WEFE Nexus, which highlight the importance of gender-transformative approaches in policy frameworks, while the Gender and Water Resources Management Community of Practice creates vital knowledge exchange platforms for practitioners. Even tourism-based initiatives such as Egypt’s Holy Family Tour demonstrate how diverse sectors can provide economic empowerment opportunities for rural women through traditional handicraft production, food service, and local guiding roles, showcasing the broad applicability of integrated support approaches in a wide range of economic contexts.

Investment in education, financial literacy, and digital tools remains critical for overcoming challenges and empowering rural women to realise their full potential as leaders, innovators, and drivers of sustainable development across the Mediterranean region.

The case of Spain

Rural women worldwide face significant barriers that limit their access to resources, decision-making, and opportunities for growth. While they make up nearly half of the agricultural workforce in developing countries and play crucial roles in food security and rural economies, they often experience discrimination based on both gender and their rural location. Tackling these inequalities requires understanding rural women’s real situations, supporting their organisations and collective voice, creating policies that promote their economic independence, including them in international discussions, and changing how society views rural women. When these elements work together, they create clear paths to empowerment, as shown by successful examples that provide both inspiration and practical models for change.

The example of Spain was showcased in the symposium as a source of inspiration and a potential roadmap for other countries, demonstrating the transformative impact of associationism and political engagement by rural women. The Spanish Association of Families and Women in Rural Areas (AFAMMER), active for over 40 years, exemplifies how sustained grassroots mobilisation can drive progress. At the institutional level, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture’s Shared Ownership of Farms Act (Law 35/2011) stands out as a milestone in promoting rural women’s economic independence by facilitating access to productive resources.

These and other initiatives presented at the event reflect the pathway to empowerment identified by participants: enhanced associative action combined with strategic political involvement or local support to SMEs (CEPYME Zaragoza). This approach provides a proven framework for sustainable change, opening new spaces for rural women’s participation and leadership. Spanish associations, such as FADEMUR or AFAMMER among others, are now working with other rural women’s organisations to build global momentum in addressing rural inequality.

The role of cooperatives and associations

Women’s leadership in agricultural cooperatives and associations generates positive outcomes that extend beyond individual empowerment to encompass community resilience, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The models presented during the symposium included the case of the Arab Olive Oil Women’s Network (based in Jordan), the Association of Rural Women-AFUD (Algeria), Darmmess Social Enterprise (Lebanon) and the Association of Women in Agro-food cooperatives in Spain (AMCAE).

These examples showed women as agents of change in agriculture—whether through participation in value chains (Arab Olive Oil Women’s Network), training and skill-building (AFUD), overcoming gender norms in enterprise (Darmmess), or through leadership roles in cooperatives (AMCAE). The panellists emphasised mission-driven business and organisational models that prioritise transparency, traceability, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage and community reinvestment. These initiatives address both gender equity and economic resilience, demonstrating that empowering rural women leads to stronger communities.

Across all initiatives, providing access to networks and knowledge emerges as a fundamental challenge that must be addressed to ensure meaningful impact. Equally important is engaging men in the transformation process, as their involvement is essential for shifting mindsets and creating lasting behavioural change. Effective collaboration with national and regional governments at multiple levels forms another cornerstone of successful implementation. Access to both local and international markets presents opportunities for generating varying levels of revenue and economic gain for participants. Finally, the effectiveness of association work in rural contexts depends heavily on cooperatives’ capacity to provide employment and build entrepreneurship frameworks that address the unique challenges rural communities face, which differ significantly from those encountered by start-ups and SMEs operating in urban environments.

Innovation in the Mediterranean food system through female entrepreneurship

The symposium ended with a workshop on social and technological innovation for women entrepreneurs in the agro-food value chain that showcased remarkable examples of how women across the Mediterranean are driving sustainable transformation in food systems. From the ground-breaking methane reduction techniques using modified clays that cut livestock emissions by up to 60%, the innovative whey-to-sourdough project that transforms cheese industry waste into high-quality bread ingredients, these initiatives demonstrate the power of practical, scalable solutions. Other inspiring examples included Lebanon’s FoodSight platform revolutionising the agro-food industry, Morocco’s Amal Association empowering over 400 women through culinary training, and Tunisia’s Black Soldier Fly waste management model contributing to circular economy practices.

The session highlighted critical support mechanisms that enable women to thrive as food system innovators, including structured platforms and collaborative initiatives such as FoodSight and the EU GRASS CEILING project. Through its nine multi-actor Living Labs, the project, of which CIHEAM Zaragoza is a partner, supports women-led interactive innovation initiatives for socio-ecological transition, combining closed coaching sessions for women with inclusive, multi-actor engagement activities.

These programmes provide not only technical knowledge and market access but also create transformative social impact, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Despite these successes, significant barriers remain, including limited access to finance, digital literacy gaps, and policy fragmentation.

These programmes provide not only technical knowledge and market access but also create transformative social impact, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Despite these successes, significant barriers remain, including limited access to finance, digital literacy gaps, and policy fragmentation.

The path forward: from commitment to action

The symposium concluded that women’s leadership in food systems is not just about equity—it represents a fundamental requirement for building resilient, sustainable food systems capable of meeting 21st-century challenges while preserving the rich cultural heritage that defines the Mediterranean region. Furthermore, the importance of engaging entire communities, including men, in gender equality efforts, underscoring that women’s empowerment is not solely a women’s issue but a societal transformation requiring broad-based support and commitment.

The challenge now lies in scaling up successful interventions while maintaining sensitivity to local contexts and ensuring that gender-transformative approaches challenge existing norms rather than simply accommodate them. This requires sustained commitment from multilateral organisations, national governments, and civil society actors, working together to create a more equitable and sustainable Mediterranean agro-food system.

As stated by CIHEAM’s Secretary General Teodoro Miano in his closing remarks, CIHEAM is firmly committed to promoting gender equality in Mediterranean agro-food systems, positioning women’s empowerment as a central pillar of its Strategic Action Plan 2030.

• CIHEAM Zaragoza was part of the organising committee for the event, that brought together 360 specialists, researchers, and professionals from the livestock sector

On 3 and 4 June 2025, the Interprofessional Association for Agricultural Development (AIDA) held the XXI Workshop on Animal Production, with a record-breaking number of participants with over 360 registrations. Among them were 88 early-career researchers competing for the Young Researchers Award. This year’s edition also saw the consolidation of the side event ‘Researchers’ Night’ which attracted over 160 attendees.

The workshop received a record number of contributions to the scientific programme, with 318 communications (268 oral presentations and 50 posters) for the 41 sessions organised in seven thematic sections: Genetics, Nutrition-Feeding, Precision Livestock Farming, Reproduction, Animal Health and Welfare, Product Quality, and Livestock Systems, and Economics and Management. The sessions were chaired by leading experts in education, industry, science and technology, from universities, research centres and businesses across Spain.

The work of the organisation teams of each section was coordinated by the workshop secretary, Luis Varona.

The organising committee was made up of researchers and practitioners from CITA-Aragon, the University of Zaragoza and CIHEAM Zaragoza.

Spotlight on Animal Welfare

The opening session of the workshop was held onMonday 3 June presided by:

• Cristina Acín Tresaco, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science of Zaragoza
• Pilar Errea Abad, Director of the Agri-food Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA)
• Albina Sanz Pascua, President of AIDA
• Luis Varona Aguado, Secretary of the AIDA workshop

The keynote lecture, ‘Farm Animal Welfare in Times of Crisis and Uncertainty’, was delivered by Professor Peter Sandøe, from the University of Copenhagen. The lecture was followed by debate on the growing importance of animal welfare, an issue that intersects science, ethics, production and regulation.

As Luis Varona noted: ‘Animal welfare  has become a strategic pillar in livestock production. Regulations are evolving constantly, with an impact on the products that reach the market. It is also a sensitive topic for consumers, who are demanding products that respect animal welfare. This directly affects production methods and livestock systems’.

The round table, organised by AIDA and the Union of Spanish Animal Science Organisations (UEECA), focused on animal welfare in intensive production systems such as pig, poultry and rabbit farming. Representatives from industry, production, research and animal protection organisations discussed the legal, scientific, productive and sociological perspectives of animal welfare, leading to several key takeaway messages: Ethical concerns often arise from inappropriate management rather than the system in itself; the sector needs a consensuated roadmap to help producers understand regulatory shifts and reduce uncertainty; solutions involve sector-wide integration to safeguard the welfare of animals and farmers and guarantee the economic viability of professional projects. Strategic recommendations were put forward to make animal welfare a core element and generate mutually beneficial scenarios. The panellists concluded that it is essential to address problems and seek solutions through integrated frameworks based on sustainability and the ‘One Welfare’ approach.

The Lighter Side of Science: Researchers’ Night

On the evening of 3 June the workshop offered a lighter programme at the Rock&Blues Café in Zaragoza for Researchers’ Night, where young scientists took to the stage with stand-up comedy acts. The evening also featured the short-film competition ‘Debunk a Fake’, an initiative from UEECA.

The informal atmosphere, light-hearted creativity, and interaction with the audience made this one of the most memorable events of the workshop.

Research Networks and Partnerships

The Red CIBA scientific network on animal welfare and the Research Network for Precision Livestock Farming and Digitalisation in Animal Production, took the opportunity to hold working meetings and consolidate opportunities for scientific and technical collaboration.

The event received institutional support from the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Zaragoza, CITA, CIHEAM Zaragoza, IA2, IUCA and the Government of Aragon, and was sponsored by ARAPARDA, A.V.P.A., D.O. Campo de Borja, C-Lock Inc., D.O. Jamón de Teruel, Melsa, Tecnosens S.p.A.,and Zoetis España.

• CIHEAM Zaragoza, FAO, and Spain’s Social Marine Institute organised the advanced course in Isla Cristina (Spain), with the collaboration of the Spanish National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST), to address safety conditions in the world’s most hazardous occupation.
• This training strengthens institutional capacity to implement international frameworks protecting vulnerable fisheries workers and promoting sustainable working conditions aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Thirty-one fisheries professionals from 19 countries from Africa, Latin Asia, America and Europe attended the advanced course “Promoting decent working conditions in fisheries”, held at the Isla Cristina National Training Centre (CNF) of the Social Marine Institute (ISM), Huelva, Spain, from 19 to 23 May 2025. The course was organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, and ISM-CNT, with the collaboration of the Spanish National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST).

The programme was delivered by experts from the organising and collaborating institutions (FAO, ISM, INSST), and from the French Labour Ministry, from the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering (IUF), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), a Senior Fellow on Human Rights and Social Equity from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a Senior Fishery Labour Expert. The course counted on the participation of 31 experts from 19 countries: Algeria, Comoros, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Fishing is one of the world’s most hazardous occupations. Ensuring safe and decent working conditions for all in fisheries and aquaculture remains one of the sector’s biggest challenges. Situations where there are human and labour rights abuses are still observed throughout fisheries and aquaculture value chains, mainly in fishing, farming and processing in both developed and developing countries. These practices have social implications, particularly for the most vulnerable, such as migrant workers, women and children. The absence of, for example, adequate social protection (such as access to adequate pension plans, health care and unemployment benefits during closed fishing seasons), insufficient training of fishing vessel personnel, the lack of formal working relationships, and inadequate working conditions are structural problems that persist in fisheries value chains, particularly in developing countries, where failure to enforce pertinent labour laws remains a significant problem in the sector.

Various international instruments are available to address human and labour rights, and to ensure decent working conditions and equitable social practices. However, their diversity, fragmentation and complexity pose a challenge for stakeholders, making their implementation and enforcement very complicated.

The course addressed the main social challenges that fisheries face in order to come up with strategies to overcome and improve these situations by protecting and empowering fishers and fish workers in the sector. It provided the knowledge and tools to elaborate mechanisms from international to national levels that enhance fishers and fish labour working conditions and their participation in defending their rights. The course also addressed the importance of advancing decent work conditions on fishing vessels operating in ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), highlighting the importance of cooperation between national and international institutions to promote progress in this area. 

Over the course of the five-day programme, theoretical sessions combined with practical group work, case studies, and technical demonstrations were delivered at the Isla Cristina CNF facilities. The course also included a fishing vessel inspection exercise and a technical visit to the centre with some practical demonstration.

The programme included sessions on the international framework regulating rights and conditions in the fisheries sector; decent work deficits in fisheries affecting various groups (such as women, children, forced labourers, and migrant workers); occupational safety and health issues (including safety on fishing vessels, prevention of occupational risks, and access to health care); and cross-cutting strategies to promote decent working conditions, such as social protection schemes, social dialogue, and participation. Throughout the course, participants were divided into four groups to engage in three practical work sessions focused on: i) defining the concepts of working conditions and decent work in the fisheries sector; ii) sharing practical knowledge and experiences on promoting decent work in fisheries; and iii) developing strategies and action plans to improve working conditions. These sessions were followed by a debate on emerging issues affecting work in the fisheries sector.

Finally, course participants had the opportunity to enjoy two extracurricular activities: a visit to the Isla Cristina fish market, and a boat trip along the estuary and marshes of Isla Cristina.

Through this training, CIHEAM Zaragoza, FAO, the Social Marine Institute (ISM), and the National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST) reinforce their commitment to strengthening institutional and human capacities to promote decent and sustainable working conditions in the fisheries sector, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and international frameworks on decent work.