The findings of the Horizon Europe-funded FLIARA (Female-Led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas) project are featured in the latest issue (No. 26) of the esteemed journal European Public Mosaic (EPuM), published by the School of Public Administration of Catalonia (EAPC). The special monograph, titled “Rural World”, delves into the present and future of rural development across Europe, addressing critical issues such as territorial balance, generational succession, and economic and environmental sustainability.
The FLIARA project’s contribution, an article titled “Breaking barriers: how women are transforming agriculture and rural innovation”, co-authored by Maura Farrell, Aisling Murtagh, and Louise Weir from the University of Galway (Ireland), and Inge Van Oost from the European Commission (Brussels), sheds light on the crucial role women are playing in shaping the future of agriculture and driving innovation in rural communities across the European Union.
Drawing on their comprehensive research, the FLIARA team identifies both the challenges and the enabling factors that influence women’s ability to thrive and lead within the agricultural sector and as rural innovators and entrepreneurs. The article underscores the often-minimised and undervalued contributions of women historically and presents compelling evidence of their growing impact and transformative potential. Furthermore, the piece puts forward a series of key recommendations aimed at supporting rural and farm women in their efforts to add value to family farms and invigorate rural communities.
This timely publication in EPuM aligns with the journal’s focus on outlining the public policies and priorities necessary to ensure a sustainable and balanced future for rural areas. The issue also features contributions from other leading experts from across Europe, including the European Commission and the European Rural Pact Support Office, addressing the current unrest within the rural world and the need to rethink agricultural policies.
Notably, Issue 26 of EPuM includes an insightful interview with OECD expert Betty-Ann Bryce, who discusses rural proofing and managing rural unrest. Bryce has previously collaborated with the FLIARA project, further highlighting the interconnectedness of research and policy in addressing the challenges and opportunities in rural areas.
The inclusion of the FLIARA project’s findings in this prominent European journal underscores the growing recognition of the vital role women play in the sustainability and innovation of rural areas. The article offers valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers working towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for Europe’s rural communities.
Read the FLIARA project’s article and the full “Rural world” issue of European Public Mosaic (EPuM) here: https://www.gencat.cat/eapc/epum/N26/index.html#page=107