Last week, ten ambitious innovators of the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme gathered for the second, knowledge-rich event, the EWA Masterclass. The goal of this Masterclass was to accelerate the growth of women’s entrepreneurship in the agrifood industry by bringing them together with their mentors for a day full of invaluable insights, new connections, and practical knowledge.
The EWA Masterclass, part of the Empowering Women in Agri-Food (EWA) programme, was held in Lithuania for the third time. On August 21, it welcomed women innovators and their mentors to the Vytautas Mineral SPA conference centre in Birštonas, Lithuania. The programme aims to empower early-stage female entrepreneurs to leverage their leadership and entrepreneurship skills to overcome challenges and achieve success, providing them with the knowledge and confidence needed to effectively launch and sustain their businesses in the agrifood sector.
On this full-day training, participants developed practical skills in team-building, financial management, regulatory compliance, and innovation. Through networking sessions and practical workshops, they improved their public speaking skills, drafted promotional messages, engaged in financial planning, and developed effective communication strategies. They were also introduced to European Union regulations and the new “Green Deal” and “Farm to Fork” strategies.
Classes and workshops fostering leadership and entrepreneurship
The event opened with AgriFood Lithuania CEO and Lithuanian #EWA ambassador Kristina Šermukšnytė-Alešiūnienė wishing participants a productive day, courage, and strength to face challenges. In the first session, Virginija Lukšienė, Director at EKOAGROS, discussed agrifood regulations, sustainability practices, and environmental impact, providing practical exercises with case studies on compliance and sustainability.
In the next session, Oksana Šimoliūnaitė, Product Manager at Kauno Grūdai, introduced pricing and financial planning for agricultural and food products, sharing relevant case studies from Kauno Grūdai products. Participants learned how to set the right product price by researching the market, adding a markup, or focusing on customer value while understanding expenses. They applied this new knowledge in a workshop where they created a simple pricing and financial plan for their products.
Dr. Karolina Trakšelytė-Rupšienė, Coordinator at Innovation Agency Lithuania, BioTech Lab, shed light on the latest trends and technologies in the agrifood sector, as well as the new “Green Deal” and “Farm to Fork” strategies, with case studies of current innovations in the sector. Following this session, Milda Karčiauskaitė, EIT NCP Programme Coordinator at NCP Unit, shared essential European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) programs for every startup. In a workshop led by Gytis Junevičius, President of the Lithuanian Cluster Network, participants honed their leadership skills and prepared an “Elevator Pitch” to present their innovative ideas.
Additionally, Gabrielė Madzeliauskaitė, Supply Chain Planning Manager at Kauno Grūdai, discussed food safety and supply chain management and led a workshop on developing a personal product and/or service supply chain in the agrifood sector. Lastly, Gediminas Kvietkauskas, CEO at East West Agro (EWA), shared communication strategies, motivation, and personal development opportunities for agrifood innovators. In his workshop, participants learned how to effectively convey their startup’s value proposition, mission, and vision.
The fruitful day concluded with a joint dinner where innovators, mentors, and speakers had the opportunity for informal conversations, discussions, exchanging ideas, experiences, and offering advice. This Masterclass provided a valuable chance to enhance leadership and entrepreneurship skills and network with women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector.