Empowering Women-Led Innovations: Key Players in Realising the Long Term Vision for Rural Areas

This research paper published in European Countryside draws on the Conceptual Framework devised for FLIARA. It teases out what distinguishes women-led innovation from innovation in other contexts and categories, as well a drawing together insights based on this that are valuable to future policy discussions. The paper explores: 

• What makes women-led innovations a distinct kind of innovation and why that should matter for policy.  

• A context to understand women-led innovation on farms and in rural areas within the geographical scope of the European Union, while also identifying a set of distinguishing features that make women-led innovation categorically different from other types of innovations.  

• A better understanding women-led innovation can contribute to policy and the paper explores the European Commission Long-term Vision for Rural Areas as an example.  

The paper also outlines reasons why an increased focus on women-led innovations in policymaking is important for a number of compelling reasons.  

• Women have significant potential to drive progress in rural development, sustainability, and equality. They have a unique perspective and approach which can offer transformative solutions to the challenges facing rural communities.  

• Supporting women-led innovations serves as a catalyst for revitalising rural areas in an evolving rural landscape.  
• Prioritising equal opportunities for all individuals and genders in rural areas is essential. By making sure women have the same access to education, resources, and opportunities as their male counterparts, we endorse basic principles of fairness and justice.

Reference:
Farrell, M., Sarkki, S., Fransala, J., Murtagh, A., Weir, L., Ahl, H., Lépy, É. & Heikkinen, H.I.. Empowering Women-Led Innovations: Key Players In Realising The Long-Term Vision For Rural Areas. European Countryside, 2024, Sciendo, vol. 16 no. 4, pp. 563-588. https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2024-0029