Atlantic Technological University (Galway, Ireland) hosted a five-day Training Course and a Multiplier Event for women in agri-food business from 24th till 28th October 2022.

The event brought women entrepreneurs in agri-food sector from UK, Ireland, Poland, and Italy. Leading entrepreneurship education experts, HEI entrepreneurship course leaders, representatives of farmers associations and communities were among the key speakers.

The Training Course is a product of a European Union Erasmus+ funded project Advancing Women in Agri-Food Rural Environments (AWARE) to develop a curriculum “Start your own Food Business” and support the growth of women entrepreneurs in the Agri-Food sector across Europe.

The participants were given several lectures on: Gender Analysis, Challenges and Barriers facing women entrepreneurs in the sector, Skills Development, including food sector specific skills, Opportunity Recognition, Role of the Mentor.

The learners also put theory into practice and worked on developing their business plans, completed the lean Business Model Canvas and implemented the design thinking process for their business concept. They also had several mentoring sessions. There was an opportunity to meet and discuss the various challenges for women in the agri-food sector and learn how the entrepreneurs overcame those barriers/challenges.

The Multiplier Event 'Mentoring in Agri-Food' aimed to have the opportunity for participants to interact with mentors to learn more about the various mentorship programmes available. The event was hosted by Jacinta Dalton, Head of Culinary Arts & Service Industries at Galway International Hotel School, ATU Galway. The guest speakers included: JP McMahon - Michelin Star Chef, Restaurateur; Maria Staunton - the EMPOWER programme lead; Declan Droney - Business Mentor, Asumpta Gallagher - Owner/ Founder of Best Practice, Maeve Fitzgerald - Sasta Foods, Galway; Ciara and Tracie Daly - food coaches and consultants, Conquer Digital.

For more information about the AWARE project please visit:

Current projects - AWARE