LocationsHow the women of Prespa did not abandon the traditions they inherited but turned them into an opportunity — and how what began as an association became a different way of thinking about rural development.
Rural Women of Prespa: Where Tradition Becomes a Future
October 14, 2026
In Prespa, the story of rural women is not only a story about agriculture. It is a story about resilience, solidarity and the determination to build a future in the place they call home.
Today, the Association of Rural Women of Prespa brings together 30 permanent members and around 50 active members — women of different generations and different life stories, united by a shared belief: rural communities can have a future when the people who live there are given the opportunity to create it.
The Association was established in 2017, at a difficult moment for Prespa. The purchase price of apples, one of the region’s main agricultural products, was low, while the economic situation of local families was becoming increasingly challenging.
The women decided they could not simply wait for circumstances to change.
“We came together with a simple but powerful idea: that women can be drivers of economic development in their own communities. We wanted to show that we can create something new from what we already have — our knowledge, our traditions, our products and the natural wealth of Prespa. We wanted to create opportunities for ourselves, but also for the whole community.” — Violeta Prculovska, President of the Association of Rural Women of Prespa.
That decision marked the beginning of something larger than an association. It was the beginning of a new way of looking at what rural women can contribute to their communities.
From tradition to opportunity
The Association has built an organizational structure that allows its members to work collectively and sustainably, with an Executive Board, Supervisory Board and Project Team. This structure reflects something important about their journey: solidarity is not only an idea. It requires organization, responsibility, shared decision-making and the ability to turn ideas into action.
The youngest members of the Association are in their early twenties. The oldest is in her late seventies. Between them is a lifetime of knowledge.
The women know how to work with the land and how to preserve the flavors of Prespa. In the land of apples, they are bold enough to try new crops and go even further, - transform raspberries and blueberries into products with added value, collect and process mountain tea, provide catering services for local and regional events, and develop other products and experiences rooted in local traditions.
Supported by the “EU for Prespa” Programme, the Association has contributed to strengthening the women’s capacities and creating opportunities for the development of new products, services and activities.
“What the women of Prespa have created goes far beyond developing new products and services. With the support of the European Union through the “EU for Prespa” Programme, they have been guided by the CNVP (Connecting Natural Values and People) organization to turn local knowledge, traditions and resources into new opportunities — for generating income, attracting visitors, developing agrotourism and strengthening the role of women in the local economy. Most importantly, they are showing that rural women can be drivers of change and that investing in their knowledge, skills and initiative means investing in a stronger and more sustainable future for the entire community” — Marijana Milevska, Project Manager from UNDP North Macedonia.
“What stands out about the women of Prespa is that they have built something much bigger than a few new products. By coming together, they have created a strong network of women who support one another, share ideas, solve problems, and celebrate each other’s successes. Their experience shows that rural development is not only about generating income. It is also about giving people the confidence and space to work together, take initiative, and shape the future of their communities. Today, the women of Prespa are not mere farmers or keepers of local traditions. They are entrepreneurs and leaders whose ideas and determination are helping drive positive change.” – adds Milevska.
Women as drivers of rural development.
The story of Prespa’s rural women reflects a broader reality for rural women across North Macedonia. Women play a significant role in agriculture, yet much of their contribution remains invisible or unpaid. Women represent around 42% of household farm workers and 39% of seasonal farm workers, while rural women are disproportionately represented among unpaid family workers. According to the State Statistical Office, 41.7% of women’s total working hours are unpaid.
This is what makes the model developed by the Rural Women of Prespa distinctive in the Macedonian context. It demonstrates how a rural women’s association can become a platform for economic activity, community development and the promotion of a region — while giving women a stronger voice in decisions that affect their families and their community.
“Our message is very clear: tradition is the foundation for building prosperous communities where young people can see their future,” concludes Violeta Prculovska.
On World Rural Day, Prespa offers a simple but powerful reminder:
Rural development begins when people are given the opportunity to believe that their home can also be their future.