Empowering rural women along the European Green Belt

Participation on Apples Festival of Radka-De in Resen, observing the local culture. © Frosina Pandurska-Dramikjanin

 

Background & Location

More than 30 participants visited the unique Spirit of Prespa farm in Prespa and enjoyed the colors, scents, and flavors of autumn through guided walks and creative activities on the occasion of European Green Belt Days on 26 and 27 of September. On the second day, Radica-DE, together with the Association of Rural Women of Prespa, participated in the Prespa Apple Harvest Festival. The event provided an excellent opportunity to promote and sell a variety of traditional products from Debar and Centar Župa, created with the support of the project “Empowering Rural Women from the Debar Region through Creating Small Sustainable Businesses Linked to Traditional Products”.

“It was truly inspiring to see rural women from Debar visit the farm Spirit of Prespa and exchange experiences with the Rural Women Association from Prespa about their ongoing activities and production of local traditional products. At the same time, young artists joined us to support the women in the process of branding their products. Their creative contribution was recognized with certificates from ACORN and the project,” said Frosina Pandurska-Dramikjanin, Project Coordinator.

 

Objective 

The celebration brought the vision of the European Green Belt to life – connecting nature, culture, and people. Rural women shared experiences and showcased traditional products, while young artists added creativity to branding - together proving that conserving heritage can go hand in hand with empowering communities and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

 

Approach & Results

ACORN and Radika-DE celebrated the European Green Belt Days in Prespa and promoted their local products at the Apple Festival. In both celebrations, more than 30 participants took part, including rural women and 10 young artists from Skopje who volunteered in illustrating the labels of the local products.The products of rural women supported by the project were sold at a local fair in Resen Municipality.

The intergenerational celebration in Prespa was a rare opportunity to connect nature, women, and teenagers – showing how traditions, creativity, and sustainability can grow together across generations.

 

This European Green Belt Day celebration is part of an EU-funded BESTbelt project. 

 

Photo gallery of the European Green Belt Days celebration