[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/12240\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Seeds of change: Women\u2019s role in greening European agriculture\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDr Maura Farrell grew up surrounded by strong women who played a key role in shaping her ideas about women in farming and rural life. Both of her grandmothers farmed their whole lives and had as much a connection to the land and farming as her grandfathers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn rural business, Farrell cites the example of her mother-in-law as a particular inspiration. A woman widowed with four small children, she continued to run a feed and fertiliser business in a small rural town in Ireland at a time when this was not considered the norm for women.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer strength of character and business acumen served her well through the years, in facing an employee strike, driving lorries to sell potatoes and battles on an annual basis with prices of wool, feed and fertiliser. Women such as these not only shaped Farrell\u2019s thinking in this area, they also laid the groundwork for rural women of today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFarrell is an associate professor in the school of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at the University of Galway in Ireland. Her research focuses on\u0026nbsp;the impact of social, cultural and economic change on rural inhabitants, particularly women. Farrell says that although things have improved dramatically for women in farming and in many rural areas across the EU, they still face many obstacles and challenges.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe coordinates a multi-country project\u0026nbsp;called\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/101084234\u0022\u003EFLIARA\u003C\/a\u003E which has received funding from the EU to create a European-wide rural innovation network that supports women in shaping a sustainable rural future. The project, which has partners in\u0026nbsp;Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, runs for three years until the end of 2025.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERural innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey are one of a handful of EU-funded research teams that are looking more closely at the\u0026nbsp;role European women play in rural development and in farming, and how to better support and encourage their active participation as innovation leaders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the majority of European countries, the agricultural sector is dominated by men. Only around\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/eurostat\/statistics-explained\/index.php?oldid=431368\u0022\u003E30%\u003C\/a\u003E of European farms are run by women, and female voices are a small minority in most agricultural associations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is an air of change in Europe\u2019s rural areas, however, and women are increasingly getting more\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/agriculture.ec.europa.eu\/news\/females-field-2021-03-08_en\u0022\u003Einvolved\u003C\/a\u003E in managerial roles in farming and the development of innovative rural businesses. They are also active in building and strengthening rural communities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EWe need to encourage greater acceptance of and support for rural women as entrepreneurs.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EDr Maura Farrell, FLIARA \u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe EU is encouraging this general trend which can only help Europe achieve the ambitious goals set out in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/strategy-and-policy\/priorities-2019-2024\/european-green-deal_en\u0022\u003EEuropean Green Deal\u003C\/a\u003E. A cleaner, more eco-friendly and sustainable farming sector is a central part of this, as are strong and flourishing rural communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFarrell talked to Horizon Magazine about how women can take an active part in driving innovation in agriculture and rural life, and the important role they have to play in helping build a greener, more sustainable future.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat challenges do\u0026nbsp;women\u0026nbsp;in rural areas in Europe face?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWomen living in rural areas across the EU face additional challenges to their urban counterparts when attempting to establish a new business or innovative initiative. For a start, they have to deal with a lack of basic services and facilities generally available in urban areas, such as childcare, a strong public transport network and reliable broadband connection. There is also more limited access to training and education.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, access to financing for establishing a business within a rural context can be very difficult, with many financial institutions reluctant to fund women in business.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat can be done to help women overcome these hurdles?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe need to encourage greater acceptance of and support for rural women as entrepreneurs and businesswomen. A certain level of \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rural-vision.europa.eu\/action-plan\/cross-cutting\/rural-proofing_en\u0022\u003Erural proofing\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d is needed across different levels of national governance to ensure an improvement in rural services and facilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe could also do with greater, more targeted support for women attempting to establish a business, such as easier access to training and financial assistance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow can more attention be brought to women\u2019s role here?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIncreasing the visibility of female-led innovation in rural areas is hugely important as it helps to change the narrative around women\u2019s role in farming, as well as in rural entrepreneurship and business.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are already many very successful female farmers and rural entrepreneurs across Europe, but in order to encourage more women \u2013 especially younger women \u2013 to engage in these areas, it is important for them to have good role models and examples of success. One of our goals in FLIARA is to help showcase female leaders in innovation, influence policy, and create a new and more positive narrative around women in farming and in rural areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat does female-led innovation here mean concretely?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are thinking about new ideas, products, services or processes that help to bring about positive change. Women have a role to play as leaders or drivers of such change, which can range from farm diversification to a variety of on- or off-farm businesses, as well as novel or innovative farm practices.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInnovation could also be community based \u2013 through the creation of new community groups \u2013 and have economic, social and cultural impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFLIARA has built a Europe-wide network of 200 female innovators, including 20 \u201cambassadors\u201d who are travelling around Europe to talk with groups of female farmers and provide inspiration and share best practices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is already being done to support female-led agriculture?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince 2023, for the first time in the history of the EU, its Common Agricultural Policy strategy refers explicitly to gender equality and the need to increase the participation of women in farming and rural life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough only two countries \u2013 Ireland and Spain \u2013 have so far proposed direct measures to support women in farming, several other EU countries have included broader rural development policies that encourage greater participation of women.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDoes the position of women vary among EU countries?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is huge diversity across Europe in the roles that women play in agriculture and rural life. For example, in Lithuania and Latvia, nearly half of all farms are managed by women.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIn total contrast, in Malta, Denmark and the Netherlands, under 10% of women are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/agriculture.ec.europa.eu\/news\/females-field-2021-03-08_en\u0022\u003Efarm managers\u003C\/a\u003E. In the majority of EU countries, men tend to be the main landowners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow do women contribute to more eco-friendly farming?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf we want to achieve the goals set out in the European Green Deal, we need everyone to participate \u2013 both men and women.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWomen, however, are increasingly showing a strong commitment to building a sustainable, environment-friendly society, and can play a key role in developing new, more sustainable ways of doing things. We need to help them to fulfil their potential in this area.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat particular strengths do\u0026nbsp;women\u0026nbsp;bring to this area?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWomen tend to have a strong awareness of environmental issues and are increasingly viewed as important drivers of sustainable farming practices. Additionally, their natural creativity and problem-solving abilities mean that they excel in diversification.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey are often key players in agritourism, craft industries and artisan food production, for example, and demonstrate strong entrepreneurial and business skills. Changing rural society needs this kind of innovation to overcome the potential challenges ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch in this article was funded by the EU\u2019s Horizon Programme. The views of the interviewees don\u2019t necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-hirzzoa7qjud5wjr6vtrfrnofuq3a-pamzfei03rj24\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-hIRzZoa7qjud5WjR6vTRFRNoFuq3a-paMZFeI03Rj24\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]