WOMEN AND BLUE ECONOMY

The blue economy, which puts the sea at the center of economic development, and the circular economy, with its sustainable approach to resource management, represent two key pillars for the future of the planet. In this context, the contribution of women emerges as a driving force for innovation and sustainability. We talked about this with Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Director of the Green & Technology Division of Italian Exhibition Group Spa.



Why is women's leadership critical?

According to United Nations studies, women in leadership roles demonstrate a more sustainable approach than men, adopting practices geared toward the long-term and responsible management of resources. Other research confirms that companies with more than 30% female representation in top management perform better economically.

Astolfi explains, “Women, when in governance roles, can offer companies concrete benefits through a collaborative and inclusive approach that is less focused on short-term KPI and more focused on the long term. This soft leadership model fits perfectly in the blue economy, where there is a need to work on cross-functional networks and broad strategies."

The female approach, she adds, is often linked to a strong social commitment: “In many female NGOs and start-ups we see a greater ethical sensitivity, which translates into benefits not only for the environment, but also for local communities.”



Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Director Green & Technology division presso Italian Exhibition Group Spa, durante la firma dell'accordo con IFI - Iraqi Federation of Industries.



Training and role modeling: the keys to change

Astolfi stresses the importance of starting in school to incentivize girls to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the blue economy: “We need to start in elementary and middle school, telling what it means to work in these emerging fields and what opportunities can be found. Giving visibility to female role models is key to changing the storytelling and making young women understand that there is room for them in innovative and technological fields.”



Ecomondo: a bridge between innovation and inclusiveness

Ecomondo is not limited to being a showcase for technologies and startups, but also serves as a meeting point between young people, businesses and new professions. During the last edition, several women-led projects emerged, including the MARE cooperative, which develops innovative models for collecting and recovering marine waste; the Mariscadoras, a startup that transforms blue crab, an invasive species, into a food resource; and the ITACA cooperative, which studies applications of seaweed for nutraceuticals and sustainability.

Astolfi also highlights Ecomondo's adoption of the No women no panel certification, developed with Rai sustainability and the European Commission, to ensure the presence of female speakers in the debates, “It has not been easy to guarantee the presence of women in every meeting, but it is an essential step to promote cultural change and give space to women's voices.”



Challenges and future prospects

Despite progress, women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making roles. Astolfi says stronger inclusion policies, flexible work environments and recognition of success stories can inspire the next generation: “By celebrating women's successes, we show young women that they can aspire to leadership roles even in emerging sectors such as the blue economy.”

Women are revolutionizing the circular and blue economy, demonstrating that inclusion and innovation can coexist. Projects like those presented at Ecomondo are concrete examples of how women's leadership can drive change toward a sustainable and regenerative future. A more equitable world can only be an inclusive world.