The second showcase of the European project GRASS CEILING, financed by the Horizon Europe programme and focusing on the theme ‘Women and Innovation in Rural Europe’, ended a few days ago in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Among the participants, nine women from different European agricultural backgrounds shared their innovation journeys, reflecting on the obstacles they faced and the opportunities they seized in a traditionally male-dominated sector. The event provided a unique opportunity for discussion and inspiration.
The Italian delegation, composed of project managers Patrizia Pugliese (CIHEAM Bari) and Vittoria De Luca (Legacoop Puglia), included Annalisa Pellegrini, an innovator operating in the Biodistretto delle Lame, which is characterized by rural landscapes rich in biodiversity and agricultural centers such as Ruvo di Puglia, her hometown.
After graduating in wood craftsmanship from art school, Annalisa spent many years away from Puglia, before returning in 2020 and resuming management of her family's land, reinterpreting it in an innovative way. On land once dedicated to intensive viticulture, she has chosen to grow lavender and other aromatic plants, eliminating the use of chemicals entirely. This choice represents a novelty for the area, which is mainly dominated by olive groves, almond groves and vineyards.
Thanks to the support of GRASS CEILING's Living Lab, Annalisa found a space to develop her business idea and give concrete form to her desire to promote a deeper connection with nature and a more sustainable and equitable way of life. Her project is a concrete example of how innovation can transform agriculture and enhance the role of women in rural communities.
