March 8th marks International Women's Day, a global celebration of the achievements of women and a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality. In rural areas, women play a crucial role in shaping communities, preserving traditions, and driving economic progress. However, they often face significant challenges, from limited access to financial resources to societal barriers that hinder their full participation in decision-making processes.

As a leading organization in sustainable development and natural resource management, CNVP Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the role of women in rural economies across the Western Balkans. Through targeted projects, we provide incentives, funds, and capacity-building initiatives that empower women, helping them to lead businesses, protect the environment, and secure sustainable livelihoods.

In Albania, CNVP is implementing the Sida (The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) - funded LED project, ensuring that gender mainstreaming is embedded in all activities. Women involved in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) cultivation are supported through training, access to mechanization, drying facilities, and market security. Over 2,000 women have benefited from contract farming agreements, enabling them to secure stable incomes and expand their businesses. These agreements guarantee market stability for their products, creating a more resilient economic environment for rural women.

CNVP Kosovo is at the forefront of supporting women-led businesses in agribusiness. Out of 12 major partnership agreements, an impressive 7 are with women-led enterprises, highlighting the significant role women play in sustainable development. These partnerships foster growth in Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) and MAP sectors, promoting sustainable forestry and renewable energy solutions such as wood biomass.

Through these efforts, over 200 rural women have secured contracts in farming, with half of them formalizing their agreements, ensuring long-term stability. Women like Kadrije Mustafa, founder of Bio Alta, exemplify the success of this initiative, as she cultivates and processes wild apples in Kamenica, Kosovo, proving that sustainable agriculture can be both profitable and environmentally responsible.

In North Macedonia, CNVP’s projects, supported by PONT and UNDP, focus on economic empowerment and biodiversity conservation. The "Rural Women of Prespa” have become key advocates for their region’s traditions while engaging in mountain tea cultivation, an initiative that both safeguards biodiversity and promotes economic sustainability.

Similarly, the "Moja Farma" association in the Polog region is raising capacities of women on the sustainable use of natural resources, ensuring that rural communities embrace environmentally friendly practices. In the Debar region, the "Radika De" association provides women with opportunities for income generation through sustainable resource use, reinforcing the importance of economic independence and environmental responsibility.

In Montenegro, CNVP’s efforts under the Integrated Forest Management (IFM) project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented in partnership with ICEP, emphasize gender mainstreaming in sustainable forestry practices. The project ensures that women are actively involved in forest management, decision-making, and community-led environmental initiatives, fostering their role in preserving natural resources while creating economic opportunities.

Across Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, CNVP Foundation is making significant strides in supporting women through financial incentives, capacity building, and sustainable business models. By focusing on gender equality and economic independence, we are paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for women in the Western Balkans.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering women, recognizing their strength, resilience, and transformative impact on rural economies and environmental conservation. Women are not just beneficiaries of change, they are the driving force behind it.