EIT Food, Europe’s leading food innovation community, has officially opened applications for the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) Grow Programme 2026, which will be implemented in Cyprus for the first time by SocialTech Lab. EIT Food is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

The EWA Grow Programme is a 6-month initiative (May–November 2026) designed to support women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector, helping them develop and scale early-stage business ideas and startups.

The programme will select 10 women in Cyprus as part of a broader European cohort across 12 countries, providing participants with the skills, tools, network, and support needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving sector.

The initiative responds to a critical gap: across Europe, women remain underrepresented in agrifood entrepreneurship and leadership, despite playing a key role in the sector’s development.

Participants in EWA Grow 2026 will receive:

• Weekly 1:1 mentoring with experienced professionals

• 20+ hours of expert-led training across business, leadership, and agrifood topics

• Access to EIT Food’s European innovation network

• Participation in a final Demo Day

• Financial support of up to €1,000 to cover participation costs

• The opportunity to win €10,000 (1st place) or €5,000 (2nd place)

The programme focuses on EIT Food missions and key priority areas such as:

• Resilient agriculture

• Food innovation and product development

• Circular economy solutions (e.g. reducing food waste)

• Agri-tech and food-tech

• Supply chain and digital solutions in the food system

Applications are open to women based in Cyprus who:

• Are developing a business idea in the agrifood sector, or

• Are founders of early-stage startups (registered within the last 3 years)

Applications for the EWA Grow Programme 2026 are open until 11 May 2026 (23:59 CEST), and interested candidates can apply via the link HERE.

During the session, participants will gain insights into the programme’s structure and benefits, eligibility criteria, and the application process, along with useful tips to strengthen their submissions. The session will conclude with a live Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to ask questions and receive direct guidance.

Those interested can register for the session HERE.

For programme enquiries or application support: [email protected]