Multifunctional role of women as a key driver for rural development

Co creation event MORE

KLEINON

The 1st MORE Co-creation event in Romania took place on September 30th 2022, organized by Kleinon in Dragomiresti, a rural community in Neamt County, NE Romania, highly representative for MORE’s target group and objectives. A number of 20 local education and training professionals (out of which 18 women), were reunited and involved within the event’s activities, providing valuable insights.

The event activities started with a context presentation (MORE project as a whole, the concept of rural women multi-functionality, goals and expectations from the co-creation event), and the participants were provided with informative materials and working kits necessary for the following discussions, covering topics such as:

•    How the multi-functional role of women is seen at community level 
•    AE participation rates in rural areas and main participation barriers
•    Training needs among women at local and regional level
•    Motivation factors
•    Ideas and suggestions for the contents, structure, format and delivery of the trainings
•    Good practices and success stories at local and regional level

Some very specific issues to which women in rural areas are confronted to and makes them more vulnerable (the ‘invisible work’, stereotypes and lack of support from family members and community, poor infrastructure and limited opportunities) were signaled during the event.

However, some positive tendencies were also brought to discussion – more educated women are deciding to move to rural areas and develop their career. 

They have also highlighted the need of tailor-made trainings carried out within the community, with local trainers as they have a better understanding of the current realities, paired with practical activities which can create real opportunities, such as product or business idea presentations, networking events, etc.

The MORE project "Multifunctional role of women as a key driver for rural development" aims to improve the access to, and the quality of, training opportunities and qualifications of rural EU women. The realities of women's lives in rural areas have become more diverse in recent decades. In today's society, women assume a "multifunctional role" in the multi-faced context of their families (i.e., child and elderly care) and social and labour ties. This multiplicity of roles contributes significantly to improvement of their families' quality of life, as well as rural socio-economic development, civic engagement, and ways of rethinking the territorial contexts.

For further information on MORE project:
https://www.moreproject.eu/ 
https://www.facebook.com/MORE-Project-112021021533837/?ref=pages_you_manage 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiuQGwsLFT6RiOurR8regdw