The specific objectives of GREENWORAL are the following: 1. Design and implement an innovative educational package aimed at training adult rural women in green entrepreneurship in the new scenario post-COVID. 2. Launch a Mentorship program to accompany and encourage those adult women who are willing to start their own green businesses. 3. Develop a Toolkit on green entrepreneurship which provides strategies and resources to any woman who wants to take the first steps with her business initiative and learn more about the success factors particularly in rural areas. In a complementary and no less important way , contribute to the networking and cooperation between public authorities, educational institutions and other local agents for the promotion of green entrepreneurship leaded by women in rural areas.
The 2019 European Parliament study on the professional status of rural women in the EU found that rural areas in Europe are characterized by gender-selective migration, with more women leaving rural areas than men. This results in demographic imbalances and hinders the economic and social development of rural regions. Women are central to the sustainability of rural communities and improving rural livelihoods, but their role is often overlooked. Female entrepreneurs represent only one-third of self-employed people in the EU, and women's ideas for innovation are not recognized as much as men's by male-dominated stakeholders.The COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity to promote digital transformation and sustainable development in rural areas. However, only 18% of entrepreneurial proposals are from women.There is growing concern in the EU to empower women in the agri-food sector, as evidenced by initiatives like the "Empowering Women in Agrifood" program. Green entrepreneurship could be a way for rural women to address environmental and social challenges while achieving financial sustainability, aligning with the Sustainable Development goals