A significant new article published in European Countryside, the Journal of Mendel University in Brno, sheds light on the crucial role of women-led innovations in achieving the long-term vision for rural areas in Europe. The article, titled “Empowering Women-Led Innovations: Key Players in Realising the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas,” is a key output of the EU-funded Horizon Europe FLIARA project.
The authors address the absence of a clear definition for women-led innovation, a gap they aim to fill by outlining what makes these innovations distinct and why this distinction matters for policy. Drawing on the FLIARA project’s conceptual framework, the paper proposes a context for understanding women-led innovation in European farms and rural areas. It also identifies a set of distinguishing features that differentiate women-led innovation from other types of innovations.
A core objective of the article is to demonstrate how a deeper understanding of women-led innovations can directly contribute to policy development, using the European Commission’s Long-term Vision for Rural Areas as a prime example. The authors emphasise that supporting women-led innovations is not only a matter of common sense but also a moral imperative, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality.
The article concludes by advocating for an increased focus on women-led innovations in policymaking due to several compelling reasons. Women are identified as having significant potential to drive progress in rural development, sustainability, and equality, offering unique perspectives and transformative solutions to rural challenges. Furthermore, supporting these innovations is presented as a catalyst for revitalising rural areas in an evolving landscape. By ensuring equal access to education, resources, and opportunities for women, the article champions fundamental principles of fairness and justice.
Read the full article: Empowering Women-Led Innovations: Key Players in Realising the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas in the European Countryside, Volume 16 (2024): Issue 4 (December 2024).