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DRAFT REPORT (2024/2124(INI))

On women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions

FEMM-PR-775387

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality · Rapporteur: Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska

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This draft report on women's entrepreneurship in rural, island and outermost regions calls for measures to improve access to finance, digital infrastructure, education, and support services, and to address gender-based violence. It urges the Commission and Member States to fund women-led enterprises under the post-2027 EU budget and to develop a comprehensive EU strategy with dedicated resources.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes a resolution calling for a comprehensive EU strategy and dedicated funding to support women's entrepreneurship in rural, island and outermost regions, addressing barriers and promoting inclusion.

Key points

  1. Calls for improved access to innovation funding, tailored support for SMEs, and opportunities in green and digital economies for women entrepreneurs.
  2. Urges development of mentorship networks and peer learning platforms in digitalisation, finance and administration.
  3. Calls on Member States to promote success stories of rural female entrepreneurs through awareness campaigns.
  4. Requests the Commission and EIGE to analyse barriers to women's employment and entrepreneurship, including in outermost regions.
  5. Supports inclusive financial instruments, including a labelled EU investment savings account, to increase access to finance.
  6. Calls for targeted investments in digital infrastructure and skills to ensure rural women are not left behind in the digital transition.
  7. Calls for measures to improve women's access to land, finance, education and training, especially for aspiring female farmers.
  8. Urges Member States to include digital skills and STEM in education, challenging gender stereotypes and teaching about consent and rights.
  9. Calls for support for traditional crafts and intergenerational entrepreneurship, including training and funding.
  10. Stresses the need for gender-equal access to CAP funds, advisory services, and succession rights in agriculture.
  11. Calls for gender-disaggregated data collection on land ownership and agricultural leadership.
  12. Calls for ensuring availability of essential health services, including maternal care and mental health, through mobile clinics and telemedicine.

Who is affected

  • Women entrepreneurs in rural, island and outermost regions of the EU, including aspiring farmers and craftswomen.
  • Member States and the European Commission, responsible for implementing the recommended policies and funding.
  • Elderly women in rural areas, who may benefit from lifelong learning and digital inclusion measures.

Figures and deadlines

  • Post-2027 multiannual financial framework, for funding women's entrepreneurship.