Applications are Live for Rural Innovation Programme: Unleash the Power of Female Talent

Deadline: 27-Sep-22

The European Leadership Academy is excited to announce the Women’s Academy for Rural Innovation which is designed to advance digital inclusion and female empowerment.

This vision of equality and inclusion is aligned with the European Commission’s commitment to achieving a gender-equal Europe by 2025. It is also what makes this programme so dynamic and compelling.

Fifteen women from rural areas within the EU will be welcomed to this first edition of The Women’s Academy for Rural Innovation. They will represent different countries and diverse backgrounds, coming together for a week-long programme of masterclasses, debates and workshops with top experts.

The agenda will combine focus groups, panel discussions and team work sessions designed to inspire and empower participants. They will take part in practical and thought-provoking activities, and acquire the skills needed to help rural areas succeed in a digital world.

A Unique Concept

Innovative and enriching, inspiring and engaging, The Women’s Academy for Rural Innovation offers a unique opportunity. Participants:

are positioned at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and rural development;
are ready to share ideas, brainstorm and debate with experts, thought-leaders, business representatives and policymakers;
are open to benefit from dedicated mentorship within an innovative experience, designed to be practical and solution-oriented;
look forward to acquiring knowledge and networking in a safe and supportive environment.
The key selection criteria for successful applicants are to be women above the age of 18, with a relevant connection to a rural area, and with the determination to create a positive impact and leverage new technologies to foster economic growth locally.

Benefits

The selected participants receive a full scholarship that covers all costs of the programme, including travel.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to women connected to rural areas in the EU. While they will come from diverse backgrounds, they will all share a strong interest in leveraging new technologies and innovation to create a positive impact and foster economic growth in their region.
They are looking for women who want to make a difference – whether they are specialists in agriculture, engineering, or eco-tourism, or whether they regard themselves as farmers, businesswomen or digital nomads. The programme welcomes everyone and is tailored to helping participants acquire the skills needed to lead Europe’s rural areas into the forefront of the digital revolution.
They are selected by an expert jury that looks for well-rounded candidates with a demonstrable track record in driving forward new ideas and seizing opportunities in their rural communities. The Jury will be interested in applicants’ future plans and ambitions, and in their curiosity to better understand the potential of technology in driving equality and opportunity in their area.

For more information, visit https://www.europeanleadershipacademy.eu/rural-innovation/about-rural-innovation/