Strengthening the involvement and empowerment of women farmers in the transition towards agroecology requires multidimensional collaboration models that integrate education, employment, and cooperative-based organization. In this context, strategic partnerships among women farmers, women’s cooperatives, agricultural development cooperatives, universities, vocational education and training institutions, civil society organizations, and local authorities constitute the foundation of an inclusive and sustainable agroecological transition. Cooperatives play a pivotal role in enhancing women’s collective agency by facilitating their active participation in agroecological production, processing, and marketing activities. Cooperative-led practice-oriented training programmes contribute to the development of women’s competencies in agroecological production techniques, quality standards, value-added product development, and cooperative governance. These processes significantly enhance women’s employability and support the creation of sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. Furthermore, universities and research institutes, in collaboration with cooperatives, promote participatory research and knowledge co-creation approaches that integrate scientific expertise with local knowledge and experiential learning. Agricultural extension services and civil society organizations support this process through mentoring, leadership, and entrepreneurship programmes aimed at strengthening the institutional and managerial capacities of women-led cooperatives. In parallel, gender-responsive public policies and financial support mechanisms at local and national levels facilitate women cooperatives’ integration into agroecological value chains and improve market access.
In conclusion, cooperative-centred collaboration frameworks position agroecological transition not merely as a technical shift, but as a holistic socio-economic and institutional transformation that enhances women’s employment, strengthens educational opportunities, and advances gender equality, thereby ensuring long-term farmer empowerment and resilience within sustainable food systems.

Van Agricultural Research Institute is a public research organisation conducting research and development (R&D) activities in plant and animal production, with a strong focus on the ecological and socio-economic conditions of Eastern Anatolia. The Institute aims to enhance the sustainability, productivity, and resilience of regional agricultural systems through applied research, innovation, and field-oriented implementation. The Institute’s R&D portfolio covers a wide range of thematic areas, including crop production, livestock systems, forage crops, soil and water management, and sustainable agricultural practices. These activities are closely linked to on-farm trials, demonstration plots, and extension-oriented research, ensuring the effective transfer of scientific knowledge and innovative solutions to local farmers. Van Agricultural Research Institute plays a key role in supporting regional farmers by providing technical assistance, applied training, and access to innovation-driven investment and development projects. Through collaboration with public authorities, universities, civil society organisations, and private-sector stakeholders, the Institute contributes to the development and implementation of projects that strengthen value chains, improve farm-level performance, and promote sustainable rural development. A strategic priority of the Institute is its active collaboration with women’s cooperatives. By working closely with women-led producer organisations, the Institute supports women’s participation in agricultural production, processing, and marketing activities. These collaborations focus on capacity building, skills development, and the technical strengthening of women-led agro-food initiatives, thereby contributing to increased employment opportunities, inclusive entrepreneurship, and gender equality in rural areas. Overall, Van Agricultural Research Institute brings strong scientific expertise, field-based implementation capacity, and stakeholder engagement experience to project consortia, with particular added value in farmer-oriented innovation, applied R&D, and cooperative-based approaches that empower women and support sustainable agricultural transitions.