• The awards are presented in four categories: excellence for innovation in agricultural activity, aquaculture and fishing, diversification of economic activity, and communication.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) the extract of the call for applications for the 16th edition of the Excellence in Innovation Awards for Rural Women, corresponding to the year 2025.

These awards are further evidence of the ministry's commitment to policies that promote gender equality, facilitate young women's access to agricultural activity, and foster economic diversification in rural areas, all of which contribute to halting the depopulation of rural areas.

These awards are divided into four categories: excellence for innovation in agricultural activity, fishing or aquaculture, diversification of rural economic activity, and communication. In each category, three initiatives will be recognized, with first, second, and third prizes of €18,000, €12,000, and €7,500, respectively.

These categories include an honorary award as "special recognition for a lifetime of work supporting women in rural areas and rural fishing areas."

The deadline for submitting applications is April 7.

  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food has held these awards annually since 2010. The goal is to highlight the work and life projects of women in rural areas, as well as the essential work they do to maintain and revitalize these territories, by recognizing innovative projects and initiatives they undertake.

  AWARD CATEGORIES

The 'Excellence for Innovation in Agricultural Activity' and 'Excellence for Innovation in Aquaculture and Fisheries' awards will recognize the best projects utilizing agricultural, livestock, or forestry technologies, or, in the latter case, fishing, aquaculture, and other complementary technologies that contribute to the advancement of sustainable activity, efficient in obtaining quality products, and that simultaneously respond to consumer demand and integrate marketing and promotion strategies.

  The 'Excellence for Innovation in Diversification of Economic Activity in Rural Areas' award recognizes the best projects linked to the agri-food industry, the provision of services to agriculture and forestry, social integration, and tourism activities that foster new economic sectors or generate employment in rural areas.

  The "Excellence in Communication" award recognizes the best work in this field that has contributed to disseminating women's work in rural areas or rural fishing areas.

  The honorary award , which is extraordinary, is granted to those women or entities that have played a prominent role in supporting, promoting and valuing women in these areas.