Description
Ruralnet is a project aimed at women with special difficulties or belonging to vulnerable groups in rural areas, characterised by low employment opportunities, lack of infrastructure and inadequate equipment, as well as low diversification of the economy The programme aims to encourage inclusion of women in the labour market, to and promote exchange of best practices with donor countries. Moreover, the project will promote access and retention in employment, including self-employment, for women facing social exclusion. The specific objectives include fostering self-esteem and confidence among women to encourage them to engage in the process of social and labor integration. The project will provide counseling, training and support for entrepreneurship. Finally, the project will allow for improved incorporation of women in economic activity. The partnership will facilitate the exchange of experiences between countries, fostering the application of best practices in the inclusion of women in the labour market
Summary of project results
The project was necessary due to changes that have arisen in rural areas, where women have moved from holding private or domestic roles to having to become a part of the job market. This has proved to be a handicap for them due to the rural dispersion and the deficiency in training. The objective of the project is to foster access to the workplace and job permanence for women in rural areas. 113 women formed part of the project in the regional communities of Galicia, Cantabria, Ceuta and La Rioja; which meant a fulfillment of 95% of what was expected. The objectives achieved were 90% of the foreseen objectives over the whole project, with a high number of users getting fully involved, attending and completing all the actions asked of them. The main benefit was that 15% of the users have managed to find employment after participating in the project. The Norwegian partner Odal was able to see the situation of the job market in Norway compared to that of Spain.The aim is to maintain these results though sporadic follow-up sessions with the users to monitor their integration into the job market.
Summary of bilateral results
Odal NÆringhage. Odal supplied a technician who drew up a guide to good practices for women in a situation of social exclusion. The Norwegian partner managed to make an assessment of the job market in Norway compared to Spain which has led to bilateral relations for coordination, with both sides carrying out studies on the situation in both countries. This coordination was achieved by using e-mail and the telephone.