Members of the Konitsa Smart Village Lab, “BRIDGE TO TOMORROW – Women of Konitsa | Empower • Create • Connect”, came together on the 17^th and the 25^th of May 2026 during two local User-Innovation Workshops to transform local needs into practical actions that strengthen women’s participation in the social and economic life of the area.

Building on priorities identified through previous co-creation activities, participants focused on actions that promote well-being, confidence, skills development, creativity, and community participation, while celebrating Konitsa’s rich cultural heritage. The two workshops marked an important step towards a shared vision centred on women’s empowerment, creativity, knowledge exchange and community participation.

One of the key actions selected focuses on documenting and digitally promoting Konitsa’s traditional recipes and local food heritage, highlighting the important role of women in preserving and passing on local knowledge. Participants also prioritised activities related to women’s well-being, handicrafts, creative expression, and intergenerational knowledge exchange, aiming to strengthen social cohesion and create new opportunities for collaboration.

The Smart Village Lab, hosted by the Women’s Association of Konitsa “Myrtali”, will continue to serve as an open space where local women, associations, and community members can co-design and implement initiatives that support empowerment, creativity, and active participation in community life.

During the workshops, participants also explored inspiring examples from the INSPIRE Atlas of Social Services and Social Economy Initiatives and used participatory tools for idea generation, prioritisation and decision-making.

The workshops are part of a broader series of User Innovation and Capacity Building Workshops guided by MedINA and implemented by the pilot partners in the smart village labs. By placing local people at the centre of decision-making and innovation, INSPIRE supports rural communities in co-creating solutions that reflect their own needs, strengths, and aspirations, laying the foundations for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable rural development.

🔗More information on the workshops (also available in Greek) here.

🔗More information on the establishment of the lab (also available in Greek) here.