Women from Rēzekne Municipality are actively participating in an international project.

Active women from the Rēzekne Municipality have joined the international European Union project "Village Power!" ("Ciema spēks!"), which brings together participants from eight countries: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia, and Cyprus. The project aims to foster the personal growth of rural women by organizing creative workshops and seminars designed to enhance their knowledge, skills, and capacity to become active agents of change within their communities.

The project was initiated by the Spanish non-governmental organization FEMUR (Federación de la Mujer Rural), which has been supporting rural women in Spain for over 30 years by helping them develop digital skills, entrepreneurship, and an eco-conscious mindset. The organization also supports women facing economic hardship or domestic violence, providing practical solutions and opportunities for personal growth.

This year, several representatives from the Rēzekne Municipality had the opportunity to participate in experience-sharing events in various European countries, learning about the stories of women from other nations and encountering inspiring examples.

Daila Ekimāne, representative of the Nautrēni Association attended a seminar in Segovia, Spain, where they gained new ideas and valuable experience that can be applied both to planning municipal work and to organizing activities for the local community.

Meanwhile, gardener Daina Zvejsalniece from Rogovka took part in an experience-sharing event in Kaunas, Lithuania, where she met with staff from Vytautas Magnus University laboratories, including researchers in the field of biofuels. The project participants attended inspiring lectures on the role of women in society, business ideas, and happiness in a woman's life. One of the key takeaways was that rural women are happier than those living in cities; their happiness does not depend directly on income, but rather on health, relationships, and the ability to devote time to themselves. Women of retirement age were found to be particularly happy.

Daina particularly liked the University’s “living wall”—an architectural feature made of moss—as well as the stories shared by local women about their journeys into entrepreneurship. “The trip was truly inspiring; I gained new ideas and insights that I plan to incorporate into my business, ‘Dainas Dārznieku skola’ (Daina’s School for Gardeners). I was especially struck by the floral arrangements at the manor houses, which I will be able to use in my own professional work,” says Daina Zvejsalniece.

She also emphasizes: “Women have always shaped societal processes, often assuming the role of the ‘power behind the throne’—remaining unseen on the main stage yet exerting immense influence through simple, everyday actions. I liked the story of a Lithuanian woman who turned her passion for cooking into a business by founding ‘Bendruomenės Virtuvės Studija,’ a company that promotes dishes made from local produce and organizes themed events.”

Next year, project participants from other countries will visit the Rēzekne Municipality to learn about the daily lives of local rural women, take part in creative workshops, and share experiences, working together to strengthen sustainable and cohesive communities.

Information prepared by Inta Rimšāne, External Relations Coordinator for Rēzekne Municipality.

For reference: For information: the project "Village Verve! Women at the Forefront of Climate and Development" (No. 101192012, CERV-2024-CITIZENS-TOWN-NT) is 100% funded by the European Union’s "Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values" programme. Project implementation period: 01.01.2025–31.12.2026.