- The Finnova Foundation presents its “Sembrando Iniciativa” project in Mondariz, a programme funded by the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy that fosters female leadership in the social economy through training, mentoring, and awards for women entrepreneurs
- The forum brought together female experts and key players from the entrepreneurial ecosystem to discuss social innovation and sustainable tourism, highlighting the role of women in strategic sectors
Brussels, 2 June 2025 – Within the framework of the 2nd Congress on Networking and Tourism Cooperation “Conecta & Lidera”, held on 27 and 28 May at the Mondariz Spa (Galicia), the Finnova Foundation presented its project Sembrando Iniciativa, a national initiative that promotes female entrepreneurship, the social and solidarity economy, and the development of innovative projects in strategic sectors such as sustainable tourism, circular economy, and digitalisation.
The forum “Sembrando Iniciativa: Support for Female Entrepreneurship in the Social Economy”, held on Tuesday 27 May in a hybrid format, was moderated by Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, who outlined the scope of the project led by the Finnova Foundation and funded by the European Union through the Next Generation EU programme, as part of the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) of the Social Economy and Care, launched by the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy.
Sembrando Iniciativa is a national project that began in October 2023 and will conclude in December 2025. Its main goal is to foster self-employment, innovation, and employability among young people under 30 and women, especially those in vulnerable situations due to social, economic, or geographic reasons. This includes individuals facing low human capital, social discrimination, or economic hardship. The initiative focuses particularly on women at risk of exclusion due to gender, rural environment, financial difficulties, or limited education. Sembrando Iniciativa aims to break down structural barriers through a people-centred social economy approach. It also promotes the creation of collaborative networks connecting women entrepreneurs and changemakers across Spain, thereby generating social, territorial, and European impact.
A space for female leadership and innovation in the social economy
The forum gathered national and European experts in entrepreneurship and the social economy. Participants included:
- Jacobo García Durán, advisor at ViaGalicia
- Sabela Gippini Ruiz, CEO at Galiwonders and Co-Founder of Knowmad Tribe
- Florana Menéndez, President of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs for Culture and Well-being and Vice-President of FEMTEC
- Alfonso Villar, entrepreneurship coordinator at CZFV and head of CIE A Granxa
- Lola Bordás, CEO of RUVIL and Marketing Director at the Finnova Foundation
- Leticia Pérez Prieto, CEO of Troulanda and expert in regenerative tourism
- Eva López Barrio, coordinator of Innovatia 8.3 at the University of Santiago de Compostela
The participants shared key insights, challenges, and best practices for advancing women-led projects in areas such as cultural tourism, product development, digitalisation, and well-being.
Training, mentoring, and awards to boost female entrepreneurship
Sembrando Iniciativa: Empowering Female Entrepreneurship in the Social Economy is designed to train, support, and accelerate business ideas led by women. Its core components include:
- Training workshops (in-person and online) in green economy, digitalisation, renewable energies, creative industries, water management, agriculture, and sustainable tourism.
- An Innovative Social Economy Project Lab, offering hands-on training, personalised mentoring, and access to collaborative spaces.
- Sembrando Iniciativa – Startup Europe Awards, which will recognise four outstanding projects contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and EU priorities.
👉 Open call: https://form.jotform.com/250833371170350
About SEMBRANDO INICIATIVA
Sembrando Iniciativa is a national project led by the Finnova Foundation and funded by the European Union through the Next Generation programme, under the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) of the Social Economy and Care, promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Economy. Running from October 2023 to December 2025, this initiative supports female entrepreneurship in the social economy, with a special focus on young women in socially, economically, or geographically vulnerable situations, through training, mentoring, visibility, and recognition of innovative projects.
About FINNOVA
Finnova is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Its extensive experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is complemented by a strong track record in business creation and support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators, and events, as well as its commitment to youth training and employability.