Empowering Women through Energy Communities

Empowering women farmers through energy communities and social innovation in the FARMWELL project. Three cooperatives—Women in Olive Oil (Greece), Women’s Agricultural Cooperative Agios Antonios, and Women’s Energy Cooperative (WEnCoop)—piloted decentralized renewable energy solutions. A two-day training event enhanced practical knowledge and peer collaboration. SROI analysis projected a 364% return on investment for 120 women farmers and 156 community members over five years, highlighting income diversification and energy democracy. The initiative supports EU policies like CAP and LEADER/CLLD but faces challenges including low female representation, land access, and market competition. Funded by Horizon 2020 (grant No 101000797), the project fosters collaboration among farmers, researchers (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), and stakeholders.