Rooted in the Land: Karolina’s Harvest of Resilience

With strength, tradition, and EU support, rural women from Prespa are transforming the face of farming and female empowerment in rural North Macedonia

October 15, 2025

Man in cap and dark clothing stands beside a red tractor in an orchard.

"I was born in the village of Drmeni on the western part of the lake," Karolina Volchevska says softly, her hands carefully gathering red apples from the ground. The air is rich with the scent of mint, damp earth, and wood smoke. "It was always meant for me to stay here, close to the land..."

Karolina, 47, has spent her entire life in Prespa — a region where tradition is strong and change moves slowly. Over the years, she has watched her village quietly fade, its population dwindling from nearly 300 to fewer than 100. The young have mostly gone — to Bitola, Skopje, or farther still, to Germany and Canada. But Karolina and her family remained. After her husband passed away, she stayed and raised their two daughters on her own.

"The land keeps me here. The rhythm of it. I know when the trees will wake up, when the flowers will bloom. My hands know this life."

Karolina runs several plots of land with around 4,000 apple trees and manages the entire production cycle herself — from pruning and harvesting to sorting and selling. She stores the apples in her warehouse, and prepares them for local and regional markets with care.

As a single mother and business owner, Karolina has passed down not just agricultural skills, but independence and resilience to her daughters. “Running a business as a woman is not easy, especially here,” she says, “but the land teaches you patience. And persistence.” In a region still shaped by traditional gender roles, women like Karolina quietly challenge stereotypes — not with slogans, but with their steady hands and relentless work.

She collaborates with others local producers to preserve traditional recipes, promote local products, and strengthen the economic role of women in agriculture. Together, they are building a more visible future for women in rural North Macedonia — one rooted in heritage, but reaching forward.

Supported by the #EuforPrespa Programme implemented by UNDP in North Macedonia, this brave and determined rural woman is one of the 130 agriculture producers benefiting from the learning and mentorship on sustainable agriculture practices related to crop protection, efficient use of water for irrigation and integrated agriculture for efficient use of natural resources. The equipment she will receive from the programme will allow her to modernize her farm with equipment that not only speeds up her work but also helps her make better use of every drop of water and every bit of land. Her farm is now more productive, and her way of working more in harmony with nature.

Photo from car window shows two people near a yellow warning sign in a green, wooded area.

“Support is always welcomed, especially in remote rural areas where access to resources is limited,” she shares. “The Programme is not just about equipment—it’s about empowerment, sustainability, and creating opportunities for women like me to thrive in agriculture.” – agrees Karolina with the rest of the Prespa fruit producers.

Karolina’s story is not just one of personal strength—it’s a powerful example of how changing practices can lead to empowerment and transformation in rural communities. Like many rural women in North Macedonia, Karolina has faced longstanding barriers: limited access to land, resources, and decision-making roles. Despite contributing nearly 40% of the agricultural labor force, only about 12% of rural women in the country own land, and fewer than 10% have a say in agricultural decisions. Their work often goes unrecognized, with more than 40% of their total workload remaining unpaid.

Yet, through initiatives like the #EuforPrespa Programme, women like this true businesswoman are gaining the tools, equipment, and support they need to modernize their operations, increase productivity, and redefine their roles—not only as farmers, but as leaders and changemakers in their local communities.

Aerial photograph of a tree orchard with two people standing between rows of green trees.

Authors: Ana Dimovska Kotevska - Communication Officer, Marijana Milevska - Project manager.