National Networks support rural women
A glimpse into the work of some National Networks that are helping rural women connect with and learn from each other to overcome barriers and make rural areas better prepared for the future.
In their professional and community lives, rural women often face specific obstacles that are now well known and increasingly recognised. Stereotypes and biases can not only undermine their self-esteem, but may eventually limit access to credit, land and resources.
The European Commission recently launched the Women in Farming Platform to gather individuals living in the EU who work in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. The Platform will serve as a space for dialogue, learning and cooperation. This initiative reiterates the importance the Commission places on connecting peers, sharing experiences and insights, and exchanging best practices at national and EU levels.
National Networks (NNs) are aware of these challenges and many of them are engaging in initiatives to support rural women from a variety of perspectives. We asked some NNs to tell us about some of their activities designed to support rural women through communications, capacity building and networking. Get inspired!
What does a ‘farmer’ look like?
If you have ever searched for stock pictures of ‘farmers', you will have found mostly images of a middle-aged white man in a straw hat and a checked shirt (or, alternatively, what looks like his grandson coming from the city to help with the farm for a weekend).
Official images used by institutions or organisations also tend to portray farmers as men, and while it may seem just a detail, the lack of female-focused imagery in communications about farming (and to farmers) is a real issue. On the one hand, this perpetuates the (often unconscious) bias that women are not ‘made for’ farming; on the other, it offers very little inspiration to young women willing to imagine a future in farming and looking for role models they can identify with. In effect, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ – which is why representation matters.
To help to change this, the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) launched a photo competition, in association with the CAP Network Ireland. The initiative was launched in connection with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
This competition is part of a wider, long‑term effort to ensure women are properly represented in how farming is communicated, using real images of women farmers across our publications, events and online platforms to inspire the next generation. The response to the photo competition was extremely encouraging and clearly demonstrated the diversity and professionalism of women farmers across Ireland.
The winners of the photo competition – and their stories - are presented on the Irish Network's website. These inspiring images will also feature in the Network's Women in Agriculture booklet and in their public image library.
Networking and knowledge sharing
Networking is an essential element of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which can be implemented at both the national and local level. For women, networking can be even more essential, as it offers opportunities to make connections, exchange ideas with peers, and gain inspiration that can help them overcome specific barriers.
In Croatia, the Thematic working group ‘Women in rural areas’ was established in November 2024 within the National CAP Network, with the main objective of addressing structural inequalities and barriers faced by women in agriculture and rural communities.
The group brings together experts, practitioners, public authorities and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, identify challenges and propose solutions that support women’s economic and social participation in rural development.
Feedback from participants suggests that there is room for further improvement in access to information and financial and educational resources, as well as in addressing certain institutional and communication challenges. They also underline the value of a dedicated space where these issues can be discussed and gradually translated into actionable proposals.
In 2025, the group organised several capacity-building, networking and policy dialogue opportunities for women farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Topics included innovation and digital opportunities, digital literacy, digital connectivity, financial literacy and mental health. The group’s work plan for 2026 will be adopted soon.
The initiative has already contributed to concrete policy changes, including increased financial support for women farm holders within the CAP Strategic Plan, while also creating a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and visibility of women’s roles in rural development.
Importantly, financial resources for the group’s activities are currently ensured within the budget allocated for the National CAP Network activities, providing a basis for continuity, while the scope and frequency of future activities will also depend on broader strategic and policy priorities.
Visibility and inspiration
The share of female farm managers in Slovakia is around 18% – below the EU average (around 32%). The income gap is smaller than the EU average, as female farmers’ income is about 84% of male farmers’ income. However, data also show a lower net capital investment for female-managed farms (ca. EUR 9 656) compared to male-managed farms (ca. EUR 12 032), indicating an ongoing gap in investment.
There is no standalone financial instrument targeted exclusively at women in the Slovak CAP Strategic Plan. Rather, support to women is implemented horizontally through general and youth-targeted measures (e.g. young farmer installation support, targeted points/bonuses in selected calls). Young female farmers, therefore, largely benefit from the same young-farmer measures as their male peers.
However, non-financial support aimed at women, in the form of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities, has been delivered by the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Institute (IZPI), which hosts the National Rural Network.
Initiatives so far have included the seminar 'Women in Agri sector - Inspiration, Innovation and Impact’ (November 2025), associated with the award 'My Agricultural Story – Woman and Soil', which highlighted women’s achievements in agriculture and rural life, raised the visibility of female leaders with the public and served as inspiration for others.
A key message highlighted at the seminar concerned the importance of supporting women through examples of good practice from home and abroad, including the development of networks of women farmers that strengthen cooperation and exchange of experiences.
Gender equality is not only a moral but also an economic investment, with women contributing significantly, especially to LAG activities, LEADER projects and other rural initiatives.
More to come
Other National Networks are working to advance gender equality in rural areas and the agri-food sector – make sure you follow the next editions of our monthly newsletter to stay informed about other initiatives.
You are also welcome to contact the Networks directly if you want to learn more about these and other activities. You can find their contact information on the dedicated webpage.
