Slovenia, 18–21 May 2026
The sixth transnational meeting of the Village Verve project, entitled WP6 – ECOCHAMPIONS: Empowering Rural Women for Climate Action, was organised by the Development and Research Centre RRC Ormož in Slovenia. The meeting took place from 18 to 21 May 2026 in the areas of Markovci and Ormož.
The event brought together 53 participants from eight partner countries, including Spain, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia, Portugal, and Italy. Among the participants were 36 women and 17 men, reflecting the project’s strong focus on women’s participation, empowerment, and leadership in rural communities.
The programme combined several formats, including a Community Engagement Day “Eco Fest”, the EcoChallenges Series, workshops, study visits, presentations of good practices, and informal networking. The main objective was to strengthen the role of rural women as EcoChampions — active actors in climate action, sustainable development, preservation of cultural heritage, and community resilience.
Arrival and Opening Activities – 18 May 2026
The first day was dedicated to the arrival of participants from partner delegations. Participants were welcomed by RRC Ormož, followed by an informal networking dinner. This provided an opportunity for partners to reconnect, exchange expectations for the upcoming programme, and prepare for the thematic activities planned for the following days.
Sustainable Rural Heritage and Community Engagement in Markovci – 19 May 2026
The second day began with a transfer from Ptuj to the Municipality of Markovci, where participants were welcomed by Mayor Milan Gabrovec. The mayor introduced the municipality, its rural identity, cultural heritage, and commitment to sustainable local development.
The morning programme continued with the Community Engagement Day “Eco Fest”, which included a guided presentation of the Markovci Ethnographic Collection. Participants were introduced to local rural traditions, everyday tools, customs, and practices that have shaped community life in the area. The visit highlighted the importance of preserving both tangible and intangible heritage and showed how traditional knowledge can contribute to modern discussions on sustainability and rural resilience.
After the coffee break, participants continued to Zabovci as part of the EcoChallenges Series, where they visited a local good practice example in sustainable rural development. The activity demonstrated how rural communities can respond to environmental and social challenges by using local resources, cooperation, and community-based approaches.
A key part of the day was the workshop “EcoSkills for Rural Women”, held at the Markovci Village Community Fire Centre. The workshop focused on crepe paper flower making, a traditional and sustainable craft led by certified artisan Milica Cimerman. The activity was accompanied by Slovenian folk songs performed by the Markovci Folk Singers, connecting craft, music, women’s knowledge, and local cultural identity. Through this practical workshop, participants reflected on how traditional skills can empower rural women, support intergenerational learning, and contribute to the preservation of local heritage.
In the afternoon, participants visited Šturmovci Landscape Park, where they explored natural heritage and sustainable environmental practices. The visit emphasized the importance of protected landscapes, biodiversity, habitat conservation, and responsible environmental management. It also showed how natural areas can serve as learning spaces for climate awareness and community engagement.
The day concluded with a wrap-up session in Šturmovci, followed by informal networking during dinner in Ptuj.
Cultural Heritage, Good Practices and Environmental Management in Ormož – 20 May 2026
The third day focused on cultural heritage, women-led entrepreneurship, local production, circular approaches, and sustainable environmental management in the Ormož area.
The day began with a visit to Ormož Castle and an ascent to the castle tower. Participants gained insight into the historical and architectural heritage of Ormož and its importance for local identity and cultural development.
The programme continued at Technological Park Ormož – RRC Ormož Headquarters, where the workshop “EcoSkills for Rural Women” continued through presentations of local and regional good practices. A company presentation of Senik, delivered by owner Nataša Majcen, introduced participants to an example of women-led local entrepreneurship connected to rural development, sustainability, and innovation.
The session also included the presentation of two Interreg good practices. The Interreg SI–HR KUL-S POT project presented a cultural, culinary, and social tourism route, showing how heritage, gastronomy, tourism, and community cooperation can be connected into sustainable tourism products. The Interreg SI–AT B-ROUND project focused on food surplus as a new opportunity, highlighting circular economy approaches, waste reduction, and more responsible use of resources.
After lunch, participants visited the Ormož Lagoons Nature Reserve as part of the EcoChallenges Series. The visit focused on sustainable environmental management, biodiversity protection, wetland ecosystems, and climate resilience. Participants learned how protected natural areas can support environmental education and raise awareness of climate-related challenges.
The programme continued with a visit to Jeruzalem SAT Oil Mill, where participants were introduced to traditional pumpkin seed oil production and took part in a tasting. This activity linked agricultural heritage, local food production, sustainable rural economy, and the preservation of traditional knowledge.
The day’s final thematic visit focused on local craft beer production, with a presentation by Skoliber Brewery. Participants learned about small-scale entrepreneurship, local production, craftsmanship, and the use of regional resources in creating sustainable local products.
The day ended with dinner at Gostilna Taverna, located among the vineyards, where participants continued informal exchanges and networking in a setting connected to the wine-growing landscape of the region.
Departure – 21 May 2026
The final day was dedicated to the departure of participants. The meeting concluded with strengthened cooperation among project partners and a shared understanding of the role of rural women in climate action and sustainable development.
Lessons Learned and Conclusions
The activities carried out during WP6 provided important lessons on the role of rural women as key EcoChampions in climate action, sustainable local development, and community resilience.
One of the main lessons learned was that traditional rural knowledge remains highly relevant for addressing contemporary environmental and social challenges. Activities such as traditional crafts, folk singing, local food production, pumpkin seed oil production, and craft-based entrepreneurship showed that heritage can become a tool for education, empowerment, tourism, and sustainable development.
The programme also demonstrated that empowering rural women means making their knowledge, skills, and leadership more visible. Women contribute significantly to rural communities through cultural work, care for heritage, informal knowledge transfer, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. By presenting women-led initiatives and local good practices, the event showed how rural women can become stronger actors in climate action when their role is recognised and supported.
Another important lesson was the strong connection between women, nature, and climate awareness. Visits to Šturmovci Landscape Park and the Ormož Lagoons Nature Reserve showed the importance of biodiversity, protected landscapes, wetlands, and sustainable environmental management. Participants learned that climate action in rural areas is not only about large-scale measures, but also about everyday practices, awareness raising, protection of local ecosystems, and responsible use of resources.
The exchange of good practices at RRC Ormož further showed that sustainable rural development requires cooperation between different sectors. Heritage-based tourism, circular approaches to food surplus, women-led entrepreneurship, sustainable local production, and community-based initiatives all demonstrated how rural regions can build new opportunities from their own resources.
Overall, the programme confirmed that rural women are not only guardians of tradition, but also active drivers of innovation, climate-conscious practices, and sustainable development. By empowering rural women as EcoChampions, local communities can better respond to climate challenges while preserving cultural identity, strengthening social cohesion, and creating new development opportunities.