D4.1 – Strategic Action Plan

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common interest, collaborating and learning together about how to develop this interest and apply it in practice. In socio-ecological transition movements-such as permaculture, transition networks and eco-villages - CoPs have the potential to become systems and spaces that have real power and influence.

Over an 18-month period between May 2024 and December 2025, twenty innovative rural and farming women from ten European countries will play the central role as Innovation Ambassadors in the FLIARA CoP. Engagement in this EU-wide interchange platform for multi-actor exchanges will happen both offline and online, anchored around four CoP Networking Events in Ireland, Slovenia, Italy and Sweden.

These event locations have been determined based on a geographically spaced typology established in WP3 and WP4, considering four macro-regional hubs. The networking events will bring together relevant stakeholders, including 20 women Innovation Ambassadors. These 20 women are being selected from case studies conducted during WP3. The Innovation Ambassadors, who are women leading innovative practices in agriculture and rural areas, will play a central role in these events.

Building on the power of social networks, the CoP will be developed with these women ambassadors alongside key policy and governance stakeholders. The CoP Network will occur in conjunction with a Campaign of Visibility for women-led rural innovations, spotlighting women as key innovation actors for a sustainable rural future.

The FLIARA CoP Networking Events will serve as platforms for knowledge exchange, showcasing innovative practices, and fostering visibility for women in agriculture and rural innovation. The events will also facilitate engagement with key actors involved in rural and farming innovation, such as SCAR AKIS, EU and National AKIS Coordinating Bodies, EU and National CAP Networks, Policy Makers and the FLIARA Stakeholder Advisory Board. These events aim to promote collaboration, share best practices, and provide valuable insights for policy development and implementation. The CoP Network will also provide elements of the FLIARA Toolkit as an additional outcome of this practical user-centre interactive initiative.

This Strategic Action Plan (SAP) serves as roadmap to establish, organise, implement and monitor the FLIARA CoP. It provides a guide for partners to ensure that everyone understands what needs to be achieved. It identifies specific activities, assigns responsibilities and outlines specific actions. Links to all necessary support documents are provided. As the FLIARA CoP takes place over an 18-month timeframe, the SAP will be a living document and allow for adaptation to changing circumstances to ensure that the CoP stays relevant and responsive to the needs of the women.