• The needs of rural women will become a priority within the National Rural Network's (RRN) action plan in the coming months.
• To adapt the activities aimed at this group, the RRN has designed a survey and a Thematic Group

Among the various themes that concern the National Rural Network are depopulation , revitalization and entrepreneurship (including the LEADER approach), innovation , environment and climate change, youth and women .

The National Rural Network (RRN) will focus its action plan for the coming months on this last topic, focusing on improving living conditions and quality employment in rural areas so that rural women can develop their life plans in a dignified manner.

To ensure these activities are targeted and fully tailored to the real needs of the rural population, the National Rural Network has launched two simultaneous tools that require the collaboration of rural women, the rural population in general, and experts in the field:

• On the one hand, a survey to find out the opinion of rural women about the rural environment, about the conditions in which they carry out their work, and in which they themselves carry out their work.
• And, on the other hand, a Thematic Group – or working group – has been designed within which rural women will be able to actively participate with their voice and vote.

Survey

This questionnaire aims to inform the actions related to rural women that the RRN plans to promote in the coming months. Its objective is to understand women's perceptions of their life plans in rural areas: what needs they identify as priorities and how they think the RRN could help them.

The survey only takes 10 minutes and will be available until April 22 .

Thematic Group “Rural Women 2022”

This working group, created by the RRN, will bring together 25 women from diverse backgrounds who will contribute proposals, ideas, and reflections to organize the RRN's future action.

The work of the Thematic Group will consist of a virtual exchange of information and prior analysis by the members and two meetings that will take place on May 17 and 18, 2022 .

Four profiles are planned for the group members:

• Type 1: Women who, from the academic world, have delved into the analysis and study of rural women.
• Type 2: women who manage or direct some economic activity carried out in rural areas (farm, agri-food business, rural tourism, etc.)
• Type 3 :

• Representatives of successful projects and experiences in this area.
• Members of the NRN Assembly who can contribute initiatives to support rural women.
• Local Action Groups (LAGs) that work to empower women or that have participated in the development of successful projects developed by them.
• Women from agri-food cooperatives, public administrations, and major agri-food organizations.
• Political representatives and officials involved in policies related to supporting women in rural areas.

• Type 4: Women who live or work in rural areas and wish to contribute to this process. They can either be representatives of organizations working in rural areas with these interests or individuals applying.

To be part of this group that will work for and on behalf of rural women, you can submit your application before April 22 .