BRIDGE TO TOMORROW – Women of Konitsa – Empower. Create. Connect.
Greece
supported by MedINA
Empowering women of Konitsa to transform local knowledge, traditions and creativity into collective action and new opportunities
Credit: Onno Zweers
About
BRIDGE TO TOMORROW – Women of Konitsa fosters a supportive environment where women can strengthen their agency, develop skills, exchange knowledge and collaborate on collective initiatives. With a particular emphasis on creativity and self-expression, the Lab supports well-being, self-confidence, while enabling the co-creation of practical women-led solutions rooted in local knowledge, food heritage and storytelling. It brings together local women, the Women’s Association of Konitsa ‘Myrtali’, community-led organisations and active citizens, reinforcing women’s participation in the area’s social and economic life through social entrepreneurship.
Where & What?
Region of Epirus / Municipality of Konitsa
Mountainous, remote region
Social Exclusion Typology NUTS3 – Cluster 4
Women’s Association of Konitsa ‘Myrtali’
Anagnostopoulou 4,
Konitsa 441 00, Greece
Located in the building of the Konitsa Unit of the Ioannina Child Protection Branch, Centre for Social Welfare of the Region of Epirus
Learn more below
Territory context and inclusion challenges
Territory profile
Konitsa is a remote, mountainous municipality in north-western Greece, distinguished by its natural environment and rich cultural heritage. Geographic isolation, limited transport connections and uneven access to services, training and employment shape everyday life across the area. Population ageing and youth outmigration add further pressure to its long-term, sustainable development.
Women face additional barriers, including traditional gender roles, limited employment prospects and fewer opportunities to develop skills or pursue entrepreneurial activities. At the same time, Konitsa benefits from active local associations, deep-rooted knowledge and traditions, a rich food heritage and gastronomy, and a growing tourism sector. These features create opportunities for initiatives that broaden women’s participation, encourage creativity and strengthen their contribution to the area’s social and economic life.
Top inclusion challenges
Social isolation and gender stereotypes – Persistent gender roles and limited participation reduce opportunities for women to engage actively in community life.
Limited opportunities for skills development and entrepreneurship – Training, mentoring and practical guidance remain difficult to access.
Absence of inclusive spaces for women – Few spaces are available for women to meet, exchange ideas and develop collective initiatives.
Insufficient activities fostering creativity and well-being – Women lack opportunities to combine creativity, self-expression, social connection, and personal development.
Local assets/strengths
Deep-rooted local traditions, recipes and practices preserved through the knowledge and memories of women across generations.
An established local network around the Women’s Association of Konitsa ‘Myrtali’, with experience in cultural activities, gastronomy and women’s empowerment.
Increasing participation of women, community-based organisations and initiatives in collective initiatives.
Potential to turn local food heritage, crafts and storytelling into distinctive, women-led products and place-based visitor experiences.
Lab approach – How we work locally
Who leads the Lab?
MedINA convenes and coordinates the Lab through the INSPIRE project team and in close cooperation with the Lab’s working group.
How does the Lab operate?
The Lab has a physical base at the premises of the Women’s Association of Konitsa ‘Myrtali’ and operates through regular in-person meetings, workshops and capacity-building sessions, with hybrid participation available where appropriate. Activities are organised around identified local needs, selected pilot solutions and priorities agreed with Lab members and local stakeholders. Participants contribute to refining priorities, developing implementation roadmaps and advancing agreed actions. A dedicated Viber group enables ongoing communication, coordination, information-sharing and reminders, while other established channels -particularly social media- extend the Lab’s reach and disseminate its activities and results to wider audiences.
Co-creation steps used locally
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Identification of local needs and barriers through stakeholder discussions.
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Organisation of warm-up events to strengthen dialogue and cooperation around the concept of Smart Villages and the development of participatory actions.
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Engagement with target groups and local supporters in defining priority challenges.
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Selection of practical pilot solutions addressing priority needs around women’s participation, skills development and opportunities for collective and creative action.
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Co-development of solution implementation roadmaps through user-innovation and capacity-building workshops.
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Dissemination of actions and results through the local and social media.
How we ensure participation of target/vulnerable groups
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Collaboration between the Women’s Association of Konitsa ‘Myrtali’ and MedINA, bringing together Myrtali’s local knowledge and relationships with MedINA’s coordination, facilitation and project experience.
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Flexible participation through in-person and hybrid meetings, as well as one-to-one discussions where needed.
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Representation of target groups in workshops, decision-making processes and the Lab’s coordination structure.
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Regular communication and facilitation to build trust and encourage continued participation.
Pilot initiatives and activities
Traditional Recipes of Konitsa and Digital Storytelling
Konitsa’s food heritage remains largely undocumented and insufficiently visible, while women have limited opportunities to develop collective, creative and entrepreneurial initiatives around this knowledge.
What will be done: Women will identify and document selected traditional recipes and the stories connected to them through photography, short videos and a digital recipe book. Group sessions and a seminar on entrepreneurship or digital storytelling will strengthen cooperation, confidence and practical skills, while creating a basis for future women-led initiatives.
Main beneficiaries: Women living in Konitsa; local associations and community groups; tourism and hospitality professionals.
Status: planned
Timing: September 2026 – June 2027
Stay tuned through the INSPIRE website for more updates.
Stakeholders and partnerships
MedINA – convenes and coordinates the Lab through the INSPIRE project, supporting its overall direction, activities, and stakeholder engagement.
Women’s Association of Konitsa ‘Myrtali’ – acts as the Lab’s local anchor, contributing its knowledge of the area, established relationships and experience in cultural, educational and community activities.
Women from the local community – shape and take part in the Lab’s activities, contributing their knowledge, skills and experiences, including recipes, memories and practices connected to Konitsa’s food heritage.
Women-owned or women-run tourism and hospitality businesses – provide practical links with Konitsa’s visitor economy and may host activities connected to the local food heritage.
Experts in entrepreneurship and personal development – contribute guidance and capacity-building related to confidence, cooperation, skills development and future women-led initiatives.
Other local associations, informal groups and active citizens – support participation, local cooperation and the wider connection of the Lab with community life.
Resources and downloads
Board game “Build your Smart Village!”, to introduce the concept of Smart Villages to the community.
News from KYTHERIAN LAND – Our Land, Our Food
“Build your Smart Village!” – Bringing the Smart Villages concept closer to Kythera and Konitsa through an interactive game
MedINA created an innovative board game, titled “Build your Smart Village!”, to introduce the concept of Smart Villages in a simple, creative, and engaging way (7 October 2025). Learn more here and also here.
Interactive board game “Build your Smart Village!
Credit: MedINA
The INSPIRE project in Konitsa and Kythera: Engaging local communities on Smart Villages
Warm-up events in Konitsa and Kythera introduced the Smart Village Labs, explored local needs and priorities and presented INSPIRE’s upcoming participatory and capacity-building activities (12 January 2026). Learn more here and also here.
Warm-up event in Konitsa
Credit: MedINA
Two places, one model: Participatory Smart Village Labs for the future of Konitsa and Kythera
Smart Village Labs have been created in Konitsa and Kythera, bringing local communities and stakeholders together in developing locally tailored solutions for inclusive rural development (31 March 2026). Learn more here and also here.
Panoramic view of Konitsa and the surrounding Aoos Valley.
Credit: MedINA
Get involved!
Join women of Konitsa in turning food heritage, creativity and local knowledge into collective action!
Contact persons:
Athina Koutsouki, Project Manager – Sustainable Food Systems, athina@med-ina.org
Organisation: MedINA (Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos)
MedINA’s social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
