Prespa’s Rural Women Transform Local Traditions into Sustainable Livelihoods

By blending traditional cuisine, sustainable farming, and digital skills, the women of Prespa are creating economic opportunities while safeguarding their region’s natural and cultural heritage. Across Prespa’s villages, rural women are demonstrating how local traditions can foster community resilience, environmental protection, and economic growth. Through the Rural Women of Prespa Association, they are turning age-old recipes, locally grown ingredients, and ancestral knowledge into new products and services.

This initiative comes at a crucial time for Prespa, a region shared by North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece. As one of the Balkans’ most valuable landscapes, it faces challenges like migration, limited economic prospects, and climate change. In response, the association exemplifies how women-led local efforts can shape a sustainable future.

Turning Tradition into Opportunity

Traditional cuisine is at the heart of their work. The women prepare dishes inspired by Prespa’s culinary heritage, using ingredients such as mountain tea, raspberries, and blueberries – many of these cultivated by the members themselves. In amalgamating old recipes with innovative ideas, they have developed new catering menus, supported local producers, and preserved regional food traditions.

Over the past year, they have provided catering for 27 events, serving around 4,000 visitors. They have also displayed Prespa’s flavours at regional gatherings, promoting cultural heritage and generated income. These activities help sustain recipes, empower women, and demonstrate the economic value of local knowledge.

Violeta Prculovska, a member of Prespa’s Rural Women commented, ‘With support from CNVP and PONT, our products gained positive feedback, boosting market demand. Digital skills training has further strengthened our capacity, enabling us to work more efficiently and develop new ideas´.

A Growing, Youthful Organisation

Supported by the “Rural Women for Sustainable Development of Prespa” project, the association has expanded its membership from 15 to 30, including seven younger women who bring fresh energy, ideas, and culinary skills. This influx is vital in a region affected by migration, helping young women stay connected to Prespa by creating local opportunities for learning, producing, and earning.

The intergenerational collaboration preserves traditional recipes and techniques while integrating modern approaches to design, communication, and online promotion. This blend of knowledge and innovation is one of the organisation’s key strengths.

Developing Skills and Visibility

In addition to their culinary work, the women have enhanced their professional and digital abilities. Last year, 30 members attended training sessions on digital marketing, graphic design, and artificial intelligence tools. These skills have improved how they showcase their products, connect with customers, and reach new audiences.

They produced videos and a culinary show featuring their recipes and stories, which were shared on CNVP’s social media channels and website. These efforts increased their visibility, promoted Prespa’s natural resources and local products, and highlighted the region’s active rural communities.

Protecting Biodiversity through Cultivation

Environmental sustainability remains central. Instead of relying solely on wild plants, the women are cultivating key local species. Last year, they planted 2,250 mountain-tea seedlings in Krani and Gorno Dupeni, involving five women across five plots, with the first harvest expected to yield around 250 kilograms.

Raspberry cultivation was also introduced in Carev Dvor and Nakolec, with 800 Willamette seedlings planted for use in jams, juices, and other local products. These activities strengthen local agricultural value chains and involve women more deeply in production and sales.

Empowering Women and Strengthening Community

Beyond farming and events, the women have grown their skills, networks, and community presence. They have established partnerships with 12 local organisations, connecting them to markets, customers, and development opportunities. Most importantly, they are challenging stereotypes showing that rural women are not just custodians of tradition but also entrepreneurs, producers, and community leaders.

Building Prespa’s Future

The story of Prespa’s rural women is one of gradual, meaningful change. By cultivating local products, preserving culinary heritage, acquiring new skills, and working collectively, they are creating sustainable livelihoods and contributing to regional development. Their journey proves that rural progress often begins with local knowledge, cooperation, and determination. Moving forward, they plan to diversify their catering offerings, expand mountain tea, blueberries, and raspberry plots, and involve more women in their initiatives. Step by step, Prespa’s rural women are demonstrating that protecting nature, honouring tradition, and empowering women can form the foundation of a prosperous, sustainable future.

By: RWoP/CNVP