• Ten initiatives for promoting women's empowerment in rural areas are recognized in the categories of Innovation in Agricultural Activity, Innovation in the Diversification of Economic Activity in Rural Areas or Rural Coastal Zones, Communication, and an honorary recognition.
• The Ministry annually convenes these awards to highlight the work of rural women in diversifying economic activity and entrepreneurial activities in the region.

In this 2020 edition, three awards were presented in each of the categories: "Excellence for Innovation in Agricultural Activity," "Excellence for Innovation in the Diversification of Economic Activity in Rural Areas or Rural Coastal Areas," and "Excellence for Communication." An honorary recognition was also awarded for a career in supporting women in rural areas.

Since 2010, the Ministry has held these awards annually with the aim of highlighting the work of rural women in diversifying economic activity and entrepreneurial endeavors in the region.

With these awards, the Ministry demonstrates its commitment to policies that promote full gender equality, facilitate young women's access to agricultural activity, and encourage the diversification of agricultural activity in rural areas, which contributes to curbing the depopulation of rural areas.

EXCELLENCE FOR INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
The first prize in the "Excellence in Innovation in Agricultural Activity" category went to María Rosas Alcántara , from Villafranca de Córdoba, for her project "Setacor: Integrated Mushroom and EVOO Production Model." This is a circular project in which the materials nourish the mushrooms and olive trees, forming a cycle that generates no waste.

The transfer of innovation and knowledge is one of the pillars of the Setacor project, as one of its business lines is supporting entrepreneurs throughout Spain and the African and American continents.

The second prize goes to Ana María Acevedo García for the project "Flor Galana," a family-run farm located in Coaña (Asturias) dedicated to the production of PGI Asturian faba beans and verdina beans. In addition to growing and selling these products, the farm has an online store and offers guided tours.

And the third prize went to María José Tallón García for the "Trasdeza Natur" initiative from Silleda (Pontevedra), dedicated to the production and processing of organic vegetable garden products. This is an original and innovative project in rural Galicia, and a pioneer in the development and application of solar technology.

EXCELLENCE FOR INNOVATION IN THE DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN RURAL OR COASTAL AREAS
The first prize in this category went to the project "Cabañitas del bosque. Rural dispersion as an opportunity for innovation," presented by the Do Artesanato company, based in Outes (A Coruña) and specializing in sustainable and accessible tourism.

This family business, founded by Saladina Turnes , Manuel Lema, and their daughter Renata, offers 146 accommodations in various types, including the forest cabins, high-quality spaces nestled among the tree branches. They have four cabin complexes, located in different rural areas, thus avoiding overcrowding.

The second prize goes to the project "RIR & CO Diseño Textil Artesano" by Inés Rodríguez Rodríguez , owner of an artisan textile studio located in Allariz (Ourense), which displays antique utensils related to the rural textile culture of the area. Inés Rodríguez sells her products in her physical store and online, where she also offers products from other artisans related to the Artesanía de Galicia Brand.

The "Vermiduero-worm humus" project, by Nazareth Aparicio Antón , won third prize in this category. Vermiduero is a company located in Roa (Burgos), dedicated to the production of worm humus or vermicompost, an organic amendment that stands out from other types of fertilizers due to its high microbial content, which can be used in organic farming.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATION
The Zaragoza-based “Biela y Tierra Association” has been awarded the first prize for Excellence in Communication for its project “Biela y Tierra. Our narrative for food sovereignty,” which aims to support and highlight initiatives related to sustainable food and the rural world.

With this aim in mind, the association traveled more than 2,800 kilometers by bicycle between July and October 2019, visiting and highlighting 125 initiatives covering all stages of the food chain, prioritizing those led or supported by women. Along the route, 81 women were interviewed, traveling through 90 municipalities in Aragon, Navarre, La Rioja, Castile and León, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country.

Biela y Tierra collected all the material on its website and disseminated it through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as through talks, meetings, and workshops in various territories.

The second prize in this category went to "Mujeres en la Granja" (Women on the Farm) , a television program on Radio Televisión de Castilla y León that highlights the work and role of women in agricultural and livestock farming in an informative tone. Aimed at a general audience and during prime time, it shows farm work as a reality, highlighting the women who perform tasks in this sector.

The Aragón Radio project "From Doors to the Field: Women in Rural Aragon" won third prize. This agricultural and livestock information radio program is directed and presented by Carlos Espatolero. The visibility of Aragonese rural women has been a constant since the beginning of its broadcasts, and this has been reinforced with the creation, in March 2019, of a dedicated Saturday section to explore the work and projects that Aragonese rural women carry out in the region.

HONORARY RECOGNITION
In this edition, an honorary award was given to Rosa Gallardo , a PhD in agricultural engineering who has led the Higher Technical School of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering (ETSIAM) at the University of Córdoba since 2016, the first woman to do so. Rosa Gallardo is a staunch advocate for the digitalization of the agri-food sector, both in her position at ETSIAM and in the various forums and platforms where she participates.

The section intended to recognize “Excellence in Innovation in Fishing or Aquaculture Activities” projects has been left vacant.