Carina Bell Woollhead

Carina Bell Woollhead has worked in rural development since 2003, bringing extensive experience as an EU Local Action Group (LAG) programme manager, public servant and community volunteer.

Through more than two decades of work in local and regional development, she has gained a deep understanding of both the challenges facing rural communities and the opportunities to create more resilient, sustainable and thriving places. Her work focuses on sustainable food systems, public procurement, public kitchens, school meals and food literacy, with a strong emphasis on using food as a catalyst for better health, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Carina has been closely involved in the FEAST (Food East Sustainable Transformation) initiative, which explores innovative approaches to creating healthier and more sustainable food environments through collaboration between communities, municipalities, researchers and policy-makers. Carina is a passionate advocate for the role of local action in addressing global challenges. She believes that climate and health action is about using the tools and influence available to local governments, institutions and communities to support healthy, hopeful and sustainable lives within a flourishing natural environment. Her work demonstrates how food, community development and environmental stewardship can come together to improve wellbeing while strengthening local resilience for future generations.