Lithuania

Lithuania covers an area of 65 000 square kilometres, of which 85% is rural territory. The country is primarily characterised by its rural landscape, with approximately one-third of the population living in rural areas. Located within a rural region affected by depopulation stemming from internal and external migration, this Living Lab addresses the consequences of historically intensive agricultural practices that have led to soil degradation and negative environmental impacts. Women in Lithuania cultivate small plots of land and haven’t participated in the previous large-scale and harmful farming methods on their small-sized farms. There is potential for women farmers to be socio-ecological leaders and innovators in adopting greening measures. Moreover, their influence extends beyond agriculture as rural women actively cultivate the social capital and optimise community activities that signify their role in regional development. This Living Lab seeks to explore the innovation requirements of women managing small farms and rural women developing initiatives to strengthen the social capital in rural areas.