Conference on “Climate Change and Agrifood: Adaptation, Innovation and Sustainable Entrepreneurship”
The conference will host the Pitching Event of the EWA / EIT Food program, where women with innovative ideas in the agrifood sector will compete for cash prizes totaling €15,000.
Women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector will compete for cash awards amounting to €15,000, as part of the European program EIT Food – Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA), in an event dedicated to innovation, sustainability and climate action.
The conference, titled “Climate Change and Agrifood: Adaptation, Innovation and Sustainable Entrepreneurship,” will take place on Thursday, 20 November 2025, from 10:00 to 16:30, organized by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Food) in collaboration with AWomanCanBe.org.
The event is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the University of Thessaly, with Nikolopoulou Foods as the Main Sponsor, and is part of the actions of the EU Climate Pact.
The conference will be held at ATRAKTO (Marathonomachon 8, Athens) and will also be streamed online via Live Streaming.
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required by 18 November at the provided link.
Purpose & Agenda of the Conference
The event aims to open the dialogue on the impact of climate change on the agrifood sector and to highlight women’s entrepreneurship and innovation as catalysts for sustainable development.
It also marks the completion of this year’s EIT Food – Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) program, which supports women in developing innovative ideas and businesses in the agrifood sector.
Two panel discussions will be held as part of the conference:
1st Panel: The Climate Crisis and the Challenges for Agrifood Businesses
How climate change affects production, natural resource management, certification, energy transition, and funding opportunities for agrifood enterprises.
Speakers:
• Vasilis Zorapas, Head of the Department of Hydrogeology & Hydrology, HSGME
• Marialena Kanellopoulou, Head of Sustainability & System Certification Division, Cosmocert
• Giannis Stamatonikolos, Associate Consultant PwC Greece, European Climate Pact Ambassador
2nd Panel: Innovation and Resilience – New Models for a Sustainable Agrifood Sector
Presentation of good practices and innovative solutions that enhance sustainability and climate resilience in agrifood businesses.
Speakers:
• Professor Nikolaos Katsoulas, Chair of the Department of Crop Production and Agricultural Environment, University of Thessaly
• Kostas Filippakopoulos, General Manager, IGC AE
• Eleni Pappa, Agronomist, Head of Educational Programs, Open Farm
• Ioannis Senko, Beekeeper – Beezeus, Founder of Vomvos Ecobuzz & Apis Era Cooperative
Pitching Event – Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA)
The conference will conclude with the Pitching Event of the EIT Food – Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) program, implemented in Greece by AWomanCanBe.org, with the University of Thessaly as training associate.
