The presence of women in businesses in central Sardinia was the focus of the conference "Weaving the Future. Women and Businesses: Ambassadors of the Region," held in Nuoro in the Chamber of Commerce conference room.

The initiative, promoted by Confindustria (the Italian Industrialists' Confederation) of Central Sardinia, focused on the presentation of a study that provided a snapshot of the health and dynamics of women-run businesses in the Nuoro and Ogliastra regions. There are 5,687 active female-owned businesses, representing 17% of the total number of female-run businesses in the region. Their share of the local productive fabric reaches 24.3% in Nuoro and 24.9% in Ogliastra, higher than the Sardinian average of 23.5%.

The conference focused on the testimonies of six female entrepreneurs who highlighted the health of some of the key economic and productive sectors in the provinces of Nuoro and Ogliastra, highlighting often untapped potential and the need for collaborative work.

The presentations highlighted the profound value of local crafts, agricultural and agri-food products, and the environment and culture as strategic assets to be leveraged for economic and productive purposes. These sectors express the region's deepest identity but require strengthening synergies with the tourism and hospitality sectors to maximize their economic and social impact.

Particular attention was given to the artisanal sector, with its production of traditional sweets and carpets, and to the rapidly growing agricultural sector in Ogliastra. Among these sectors, personal and care services are also experiencing strong growth (+22.4% in Nuoro, +13.1% in Ogliastra), meeting increasingly pressing needs in areas experiencing high rates of depopulation and demographic aging.

Despite the 4.8% population decline recorded between 2019 and 2024, female entrepreneurship in the Nuoro and Ogliastra regions demonstrates resilience and adaptability. The strong presence of individual businesses (80% in Nuoro, 77% in Ogliastra) coexists with significant growth in joint-stock companies (+25.6% in Nuoro, +44.6% in Ogliastra), a sign of an ongoing process of structuring and professionalization.

Speakers included Pierpaolo Milia, President of Confindustria Sardegna Centrale, Agostino Cicalò, President of the Nuoro Chamber of Commerce, Cristina Puligheddu, President of the Soroptimist d'Italia Club of Nuoro, Giovanna Zedde, President of Fidapa, Marina Mastio, Deputy Vice President of Confindustria Sardegna Centrale, Daniela Falconi, President of ANCI Sardegna, and Lucina Cellino, President of the AiddaI Sardinia Delegation. Speakers included Graziella Carta (textile art), Caterina Cosseddu (culture), Nella Fantozzi (restaurants and organic farming), Anna Gardu (confectionery), Martina Moro (cork), and Sara Sedda (social cooperatives). The session was moderated by Claudia Sedda, Director of the Gal Barbagia Mandrolisai.

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