The first Women’s Academy for Rural Innovation took place in Europe’s largest region – Spain’s Castilla y León – from the 23rd to the 28th of October 2022. Participants experienced a week to remember!

The programme took place at different settings within the province of Ávila. The core venue was located in the village of Candeleda, two hours away from Madrid. The programme had its own private “campus” for six days. 

The 15 ambitious women embarked on a journey of discovery. Mornings were taken up with a combination of panels, workshops, roundtables and masterclasses, while the afternoons included teamwork sessions. There was also a period of free time every day for participants to relax and reflect on the days’ learning. Every evening, participants enjoyed a traditional Spanish dinner prepared with local produce.

With a line-up of top-level experts and mentors, participants learned new skills and approaches and had the chance to discuss how new tools could be implemented in their own rural environment. They learned practical skills such as public speaking and setting up a business which will equip them to get out there and make a difference in their community. We hope that they made lasting friendships with participants from similar walks of life in other countries.

JURY   SPEAKERS   GALLERY