Our women are the driving forces of change in the village!

The VIII Forum of the Business Network of Rural Women of Ukraine was held in Lviv.
On October 17-18, 2025, the VIII Forum of the Business Network of Rural Women of Ukraine was held in Lviv, at the Dnister Hotel – a large-scale event that traditionally brings together leaders of rural communities, entrepreneurs, educators, scientists and representatives of public organizations from all regions of the country.
This year’s Forum became an integration platform for exchanging experience, developing partnerships and forming new strategies aimed at strengthening the role of women in the development of rural areas. More than a hundred participants from different regions of Ukraine shared their own practices, presented initiatives, and participated in discussions and consultation sessions.
The central topics of this year’s Forum were:
•  export and expansion of sales markets for local businesses;
•  cooperation and partnership models of community development;

• energy efficiency and “green” practices in rural areas;
• development of tools to influence state policy in the field of women’s entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
  The participants had the opportunity to attend consultation tables, present their own initiatives, join open discussions with government representatives, experts from international projects and public organizations, and also participate in creative locations and cultural events in Lviv.

The forum became a powerful platform for networking, forming partnerships and developing a common vision for the future development of women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas.
We are particularly proud of the participation of Inna Velychko, Yevgenia Molchanova and Oksana Bas, who adequately represented our community at this prestigious forum. They not only shared their experience in implementing projects on the ground, but also demonstrated how women can be real driving forces in the development of Ukrainian villages – through education, social initiatives, business and public activity. Also during the forum, Inna Velychko discussed the legislative initiatives of the Union with the People’s Deputy of the 7th, 8th and 9th convocations from the parties “European Solidarity” and “UDAR” Maria Ionova.

At the final part of the Forum, Yevheniya Molchanova and Oksana Bas were recognized by the organizers for their active public position, leadership, and contribution to the development of rural areas.

Their achievements are not only a personal victory, but also a symbol of the fact that women from Ukrainian villages are becoming agents of change, initiators of projects, and carriers of a new culture of community management.