Women entrepreneurs in agri-Food systems take centre stage at UfM Regional Policy Conference in Tunisia
Tunis, Tunisia, 28-29 October 2026. The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) gathered more than 120 representatives from governments, EU Delegation in Tunisia, international organisations and donors (UN WOMEN, UNIDO, UNDP, AECI, GIZ), impact funds, micro-finance institutions, research centres, entrepreneurship support organisations, and women entrepreneurs from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia for a two-day Regional Policy Conference dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in agri-food systems.
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation and discussion of the draft Regional Policy Agenda 2026–2030 on Innovation for Women Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food Systems, developed through a participatory process involving stakeholders from seven Southern Mediterranean countries. Discussions contributed to refining the Agenda’s priorities and identifying concrete actions for its future implementation
“The Regional Policy Agenda 2026–2030 is our response to this challenge. It aims to strengthen existing ecosystems, connect institutions and help women entrepreneurs turn innovation into viable businesses that create lasting economic and social impact.” highlighted Deputy Secretary General for Human Development, Petra Kezman, in her opening message.
Throughout the two days, participants engaged in policy dialogues, thematic panels and interactive working sessions focusing on innovation, financing, entrepreneurship support ecosystems and women’s leadership. Attention was given to fostering stronger cooperation between public institutions, financial organisations, academia, private-sector actors and development partners.
Women entrepreneurs themselves played a central role in the discussions, sharing first-hand experiences on the opportunities and barriers encountered when developing and scaling innovative agri-food businesses. Their testimonies reinforced the importance of ensuring that policy interventions respond to the realities and needs of women operating across agricultural value chains.
The conference concluded with strong support for advancing a coordinated regional approach to women’s entrepreneurship and innovation in agri-food systems.
The recommendations gathered during the event will contribute to the finalisation of the Regional Policy Agenda 2026–2030 and its accompanying Action Plan, helping to guide future efforts towards more inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems across the Mediterranean region.
This conference forms part of the UfM’s broader efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment and strengthen the role of women as drivers of innovation, resilience and sustainable development across the Mediterranean region.
Official statements
Isidro Antonio González Afonso, Ambassador of Spain to Tunisia :“Women are present at every stage of the agri-food value chain: they sow, harvest, process, care for livestock, and preserve seeds. At every stage except the last one. They exit the chain precisely when monetary value begins to emerge: when products are sold, when prices are set, and when credit agreements are signed. This is not a question of capability, but of access: access to land, finance, markets, and the spaces where decisions are made.”
Sanaa Zebakh, Director of PRIMA :“Empower a woman in agri-food innovation, and you do more than support an entrepreneur: you plant the seeds of change for her community and for generations to come. When a woman grows, her impact extends far beyond her own success.”
Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM: “Our countries do not lack initiatives to support women entrepreneurs. However, these mechanisms still too often operate in isolation. Our challenge is to better connect and coordinate them, simplify procedures, and facilitate women’s entrepreneurial journey, from training and skills development to the growth and scaling of their businesses”
About the initiative
The Regional Policy Conference was organised by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) within the framework of the Masar Al’an Programme, with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and in collaboration with a range of regional and international partners (FAO, PRIMA, CIHEAM, Berytech, Chemonics, Cawtar,MedWaves, Beta Center, Impact Partner,) working to advance women’s economic empowerment, innovation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean.
