Croatia

The Living Lab

More than 1.7 million people in Croatia live in rural areas, representing 42.5% of Croatia’s population. 37.6% of the population live in intermediate regions and 19.9% live in urban regions. Rural areas have high unemployment rates, a lower percentage of highly educated population and a large share of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in rural areas. Most rural areas in Croatia are exposed to continuous depopulation and economic recession with a high risk-of-poverty rate.

The role of women in rural areas is not sufficiently recognized. Statistical invisibility and economic lack of recognition are some of the basic disadvantages. In the Croatian rural policy strategic documents, gender equality and women are mentioned, however, there is no mention of gender inequalities or measurable goals that would reduce these inequalities. The strategic plan does not recognize the specificities of women in rural areas, on the labour market, nor specifically in agriculture, because it does not provide specific goals or measures in this regard. Changes in development policies aimed at women in rural areas are necessary if rural areas are to be economically and socially vital.

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Meet our women innovators

Birgit Boljun

Olive farmer

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Birgit Boljun
Olive farmer

Birgit comes from Istria and until recently was a lawyer by profession. In addition, she manages a security company with 110 employees, mostly men. Olive growing was Birgit’s hobby, which she turned into a profession after inheriting the olive groves from her grandmother and receiving a grant for young farmers under the Rural Development Programme.

She learned from scratch how to grow olives and maintain the farm and was never discouraged by numerous derogatory remarks about women behind the plough.
Birgit sees herself as a woman, an advocate of justice and animal rights, a fighter, and a feminist.



Vesna Jakić

Textile designer

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Vesna Jakić
Textile designer

Vesna comes from the island of Cres. She is a textile designer and the founder of the RUTA Wool & Design company. Before starting her own business, Vesna has been running Ruta Association for 20 years, focusing on improving the quality of life on Cres, especially projects on the use of wool as a raw material, giving felting courses and organising numerous art and craft events.

Now she teaches felting in schools, and students come to her to practice. Vesna’s work through her art company is making a difference on the island of Cres and her products carry the Croatian Island Product certificate.

Jasminka Gršković

Teacher & Wool producer

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Jasminka Gršković
Teacher & Wool producer

Jasminka comes from the island of Krk. She is a kindergarten teacher and has a family farm. She has invented the lavender-scented woollen sensory balls for hand muscles. Jasminka also produces woollen balls for washing and drying clothes in an environmentally friendly way.

She is active in the local community, organising workshops and events and teaching children in schools and kindergartens the technique of felting. She believes that our society is on its way of creating changes towards sustainability and resilience. Jasminka wants to inspire new generations with her own example to follow the path towards balance between nature and society.

Tatjana Klepo

Olive farmer

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Tatjana Klepo
Olive farmer

Tatjana comes from Kaštela. She is both a scientist and an environmental activist. Besides being a researcher, Tatjana is vice-chair of the Association of Olive Growers of Kaštela “Mastrinka” and specialises in olive growing and protection of natural heritage. She pays special attention to the protection and revival of traditional Croatian olive cultivars.

Recently, Tatjana has established an organic olive farm for the practical training of olive growers. She also organises educational and networking projects and holds courses in the local community, especially for rural women and farmers. Tatjana is dedicated to transferring knowledge for a better future.




Silvija Terlević

Cattle farmer

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Silvija Terlević
Cattle farmer

Silvija comes from Istria, where she runs a farm with sheep, heavy draught horses and a traditional Istrian breed of cattle (Boškarin). She has many years of experience in running a fruit store and a coffee bar.

Silvija is one of the few women in animal production. She is innovative in her business, although she is often looked at disparagingly as a woman in a «man’s business». Silvija’s experience, especially when starting a farm, was that the local community did not understand her. She believes that this has made her stronger and believes that women are much more innovative and creative than they are given credit for.

Marijana Svetić

Food producer

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Marijana Svetić
Food producer

Marijana lives in Lika. Besides her work in disaster management, she is engaged in vegetable and meat production and making lamps from old, discarded oak wood. Recently, Marijana is exploring how to make wooden jewellery.

Since her family farm is located near the Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre and his birthplace, she named her table lamps after the famous inventor. Marijana wants to connect her production with educational institutions. She believes that women in rural areas need to be encouraged to become more open-minded. Marijana describes herself as a mother, human rights advocate, student, farmer, and innovator.

Ana Kovačić

Food farmer

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Ana Kovačić
Food Farmer

Ana comes from Sesvete. She runs an orchard where she grows berries (chokeberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry etc.), mint, lavender, elderberry, roses and old fruit varieties. Ana makes traditional jams, tinctures, liqueurs, syrups and souvenirs.

Ana has recovered her grandmother’s recipes and produces only with traditional and natural preservation techniques. Ana loves to mentor and advise other farmers. Her experience and knowledge are summarised in a booklet “Health through Berries” (Bobicom do zdravlja). She would like to give workshops on wild fruits in schools. Ana believes that women are creators.

Ines Dundović

Food farmer

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Ines Dundović
Food Farmer

Ines comes from Križ. All her life she has worked on her parents’ farm. A few years after graduating as a master of horticulture, she started from scratch and co-founded the Veggie company where she produces and processes vegetables. Veggie started out by drying the tomatoes, and today they supply fresh vegetables to restaurants and have web shop.

Recently, the business has expanded to include rural tourism. Ines loves to share knowledge, and work in the local community. She is the chair of the agriculture committee in her municipality, which she helped establish. When no one believed in her, Ines was motivated to succeed.