The annual flagship event was organised by the Union of Hungarian Women Association (UHW) in cooperation with Tokaj-Hegyalja University, bringing together policymakers, academic experts, entrepreneurs and rural women from across the country and beyond.
Held under the patronage of Dr István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture, the conference provided a high-level platform to discuss rural development, women’s empowerment, mental health, entrepreneurship and the growing role of women in the agri-food and wine sectors. The programme featured contributions from national authorities, regional leaders, universities and international organisations, including a video message from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
A dedicated thematic block on “Women and Winemaking” aligned closely with the objectives of the Grapes of Change project, highlighting gender equality, professional visibility and leadership opportunities for women in the wine value chain.
Key contributions included a joint presentation by Dr Ágnes Csiba-Herczeg, Senior Research Fellow at Tokaj-Hegyalja University and international fine and rare wine specialist, and Prof. Dr Gergely Szolnoki from Geisenheim University (Germany), focusing on “The role of women in the wine sector and the future of wine tourism.” Their analysis underlined the importance of skills development, innovation and inclusive business models in strengthening women’s participation in both production and tourism-related activities.
The session also showcased successful women-led wineries, including Zichy Champagne House and Emerencia Winery, followed by a professional wine tasting hosted by Dr Csiba-Herczeg together with Margit Batthyány-Schmidt, President of the UHW. The tasting created an informal space for dialogue between experts, producers and participants, reinforcing peer learning and community building — key principles promoted by the Grapes of Change initiative.
Beyond winemaking, the conference addressed wider dimensions of rural women’s empowerment, including mental health, prevention, social entrepreneurship and local value creation. A roundtable discussion on “Strong Women in Spirit – the Role of Mental Health in Everyday Life” brought together civil society leaders and health professionals, reflecting the project’s holistic approach to sustainable rural development.
By integrating Grapes of Change project into a long-standing, bottom-up community event, UHW demonstrated how EU-funded gender equality initiatives can effectively connect with local stakeholders and reach women directly in rural regions. The visibility of project materials and the active involvement of GoC-relevant experts ensured strong alignment with the project’s dissemination and stakeholder engagement goals.
By showcasing Grapes of Change at a well-established national and international platform, the initiative gained increased visibility among policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs and civil society organisations, reinforcing the message that gender equality and social innovation are essential drivers of sustainable development in Europe’s wine regions and rural communities.