On March 27, 2025, our sister project FLIARA hosted a groundbreaking online event titled “Empowering Rural Communities: Gender Equality and Innovation in Action.” The webinar brought together a diverse panel of researchers, policymakers, and rural entrepreneurs to explore the vital links between gender equality, rural development, and innovation. With women at the center of rural sustainability, the event addressed structural challenges they continue to face – from land access and financial barriers to insufficient training and policy gaps – while also shining a spotlight on innovative, inclusive solutions.
A standout moment in the event was the panel discussion “Breaking Barriers to Women-Led Innovation,” which provided concrete insights into the conditions needed for rural women to thrive as leaders in innovation. Among the key voices was Graeme Dean, Project Coordinator of the SWIFT Project. In that space we stressed the necessity of creating enabling environments where women are not only participants but leaders. The SWIFT Project plays a critical role in this by working to remove systemic obstacles and offering tailored support to initiative led by women and gender diverse people in rural regions.
Throughout the session, a common thread emerged: overcoming the barriers to women-led innovation requires coordinated action across policy, education, finance, and community spheres. Projects like SWIFT are tools for turning these visions into reality – ensuring that innovation in rural areas is both diverse and transformative.
Want to know more? Rewatch the webinar!
