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Description
This project aims to foster civil and cooperative participation among women farmers from inland countryside of Portugal, through their empowerment, so as to contribute to their social visibility and enhancing equality between women and men. It is consensually acknowledged that women’s participation in economic growth is strategically in line with EU2020’s goals, and that their role in rural areas and in agriculture is of fundamental importance.
Nevertheless, these women are not properly represented, neither in official data nor in civil society, a fact which points to their actual vulnerability, namely in what concerns gender inequality, economic dependency and lack of agency in local organisations. This project’s aim is to tackle such issues, by stimulating women farmers’ active citizenship, social participation and visibility, in an effort to build a more democratic and equal society.
The intervention-oriented project is based on the Theory of Change, a methodology which carries participation in its core. Designed as a replicable pilot, this project will take place in a series of local meetings and empower sessions in two Portuguese counties – São Pedro do Sul and Sabugal –, which will address technical, personal development and organizational subjects vis-à-vis the women’s identified needs, as diagnosed in the field through inquiries and
participative focus groups. In the same way, the participants will have an active voice throughout the entire implementation of the project, in direct collaboration with the national and international partner organisations.
Simultaneously, several actions will be put in place to target a broader public, such as local technicians, the local community and civil society in general, in order to raise awareness to women farmers’ fundamental role. To achieve it, and to guarantee the project’s sustainability and continuity, a complete communication and dissemination plan will be developed.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the low civic and associative participation of women farmers in interior regions, focusing on their empowerment, visibility, and the promotion of gender equality. Many women farmers do not perceive themselves as rural workers, leading to a lack of social security registration and land ownership, which fosters economic dependence and gender inequality. Additionally, their underrepresentation in associative structures and decision-making processes exacerbates these challenges. By employing participatory tools, the project sought to increase women''s engagement in the agricultural sector, empowering them to achieve gender equality and take active roles in decision-making.
The project implemented various activities to promote gender equality and empower women farmers in rural areas. Key initiatives included an exchange visit to the exhibition "As Mulheres de Maria Lamas," engaging 10 women aged 45-74 to recognize their societal contributions and inspire civic participation. Training sessions were conducted, such as the "Workshop on Gender Equality in Agriculture," which trained 9 women and 1 man, culminating in developing the "Guide to Gender Equality Intervention in Agriculture," offering methodologies and best practices for rural communities.
The project also supported creating and implementing gender equality plans in municipalities like S. Pedro do Sul and Sabugal and contributed to gender equality initiatives across several others, including Tondela and Viseu. Educational materials, such as manuals on agroecology and a policy brief, were produced to disseminate knowledge and recommendations for public policies.
A significant output was the sociological study comparing initial and final surveys, which indicated a positive shift in participants'' perceptions of gender equality, with 82% reporting improved awareness and behavior. Additionally, videos showcasing traditional practices were created, subtitled in English, and shared on social media, further promoting the project''s visibility.
Other outcomes included academic contributions, such as a scientific article, final project reports, and the publication of books highlighting the roles and challenges of women farmers. These efforts ensured the sustainability and transferability of the project''s tools, promoting long-term impacts on gender equality and civic participation in rural areas.
The project achieved significant results by addressing both objectives of the EEA Grants: reducing economic and social disparities and strengthening bilateral relations. Through a strategic partnership with Norway, the project facilitated innovative initiatives such as HORIZON, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation among rural women, thereby contributing to economic equality.
Summary of bilateral results
The collaboration also included knowledge exchanges, such as the visit by the RURALIS team to Portugal and the active participation of local professionals in training sessions, enhancing regional economic development while fostering bilateral ties. These partnerships extend beyond a single project, encompassing initiatives like PRR, which focuses on agricultural landscapes, Mediterranean diet preservation, and the promotion of regional products such as sheep wool.Additionally, the project produced two key documents: one highlighting successful empowerment experiences in Norwegian agriculture and another analyzing the historical rights of rural women in a comparative study between Portugal and Norway. A satisfaction assessment of the collaboration underscored the project''s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by ensuring all stakeholders'' perspectives were valued. These outcomes benefited rural women, professionals, and broader communities by reducing inequalities and enhancing cross-cultural cooperation.