NOWA secures 2nd Prize at EU-CONEXUS Plus Innovation Contest: a milestone for women in Aquaculture

In a significant achievement for gender equality and sustainability in the aquaculture industry, NOWA (Network of Women in Aquaculture) has proudly secured the 2nd prize at the EU-CONEXUS Plus Innovation Contest.

This recognition marks a pivotal moment for NOWA, a social entrepreneurship initiative dedicated to empowering women within the global aquaculture sector. The award comes with invaluable support that will propel the network's mission to elevate women into leadership roles and drive positive change in the industry.

The EU-CONEXUS Plus Innovation Contest

The EU-CONEXUS Plus Innovation Contest is a prestigious platform that brings together the brightest minds from across Europe to present innovative ideas that address critical challenges in various sectors.

The contest, held in two categories—Student and Researcher—encourages participants to pitch their groundbreaking projects in a competitive environment.

This year’s contest featured an Elevator Pitch Session & Award Ceremony, where the top five project ideas from each category were presented in a high-stakes, one-minute pitch.

Results and highlights

NOWA’s outstanding performance in the contest was highlighted by a compelling pitch delivered by Marilou Suc, one of the co-founders of NOWA.

Her passionate and impactful presentation captured the jury’s attention, convincingly demonstrating the project's far-reaching effects on social, environmental, and economic levels.

Her ability to articulate the significance of NOWA’s mission played a crucial role in securing the 2nd prize.

As the runner-up in the Student category, NOWA was awarded €1,000. This prize will be instrumental in funding the legal establishment of the NOWA association, which is set to officially launch in the summer of 2024.

The competition was fierce, with other remarkable projects such as Kooti Agrivoltaics from the Agricultural University of Athens taking the first prize in the Student category, and groundbreaking research projects like EcoBilge and Adaept Engineering leading the Researcher category.

NOWA's vision and impact

NOWA is not just another project; it’s a movement aimed at transforming the aquaculture industry by promoting gender equality and sustainability.

By offering mentoring, specialized training, and robust networking opportunities, NOWA is dedicated to creating a platform where women can thrive, break barriers, and assume leadership positions within the industry.

This recent recognition at the EU-CONEXUS Plus Innovation Contest underscores the importance and relevance of NOWA’s mission.

The road ahead for NOWA

Winning the 2nd prize at the EU-CONEXUS Plus Innovation Contest is just the beginning for NOWA.

The support and visibility gained through this achievement will significantly enhance the network's ability to impact the aquaculture industry.

With the €1,000 prize, NOWA is set to establish itself as a formal association by summer 2024, further strengthening its efforts to empower women and promote sustainability in the sector.

The success of NOWA at the EU-CONEXUS Plus Innovation Contest is a clear indication that the initiative is on the right path to making a lasting difference.

As NOWA continues to grow and garner support, it remains committed to its core mission of empowering women and fostering sustainability in aquaculture.

Stay tuned for more updates from NOWA and future opportunities to engage with this transformative initiative.