Research Confirms: Rainwater Harvesting and Women’s Empowerment Are Key to More Resilient Rural Communities in North Macedonia

Climate change, water scarcity and unequal access to resources are increasingly affecting rural communities in North Macedonia. Two new studies conducted as part of a project implemented by Zavod Krog and its partner Legis show that sustainable water solutions, climate-smart agriculture and greater inclusion of women can make an important contribution to a more resilient future for rural areas.

Water is becoming one of the most important development challenges of the future. For many rural communities around the world, climate change is no longer a distant threat but an everyday reality: how to secure enough water for food production, how to maintain soil fertility and how to adapt farming practices to changing weather conditions.

Rural communities in North Macedonia are facing these very challenges. Longer periods of drought, higher temperatures and reduced water availability during the growing season are already affecting agricultural practices.

As part of the project »Harvesting Hope: Community Rainwater Systems and gardening for Gender Justice«, implemented by Zavod Krog and its partner organisation Legis, two studies were conducted to analyse the challenges facing rural areas and identify opportunities for introducing sustainable solutions.

The project is financed by Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within international development cooperation.

Both studies are now publicly available and provide an important basis for the project's future activities.

Two studies, one common conclusion: rural areas need new approaches

The first study, Study on Key Challenges in Rural Areas of North Macedonia, with a Special Focus on Gender Equality, analysed the broader social, economic and environmental challenges affecting rural communities.

The second study, Study and Mapping of Water and Soil Fertility Challenges, focused on the state of water resources, soil conditions and opportunities for introducing rainwater harvesting systems and sustainable gardening practices in selected regions.

The common conclusion of both studies is clear: rural communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change, but they also have significant potential to adapt if they have access to appropriate knowledge, technologies and support.

Water as an untapped resource for community resilience

One of the key findings of the studies is that the communities included in the research currently do not use rainwater harvesting systems, despite already experiencing longer periods of drought and water scarcity.

Rainwater harvesting represents a simple, accessible and effective solution that can help reduce the vulnerability of small farms. Collected rainwater can be used to irrigate gardens and agricultural land, reducing dependence on increasingly unpredictable water sources.

Combined with other sustainable practices, such as drip irrigation and composting, these measures can improve the efficiency of natural resource use, reduce production costs and strengthen household food security.

Healthier soils for more resilient agriculture

The studies also highlight the importance of soil fertility.

Healthy soils are one of the key foundations of resilient agriculture, as they have a greater capacity to retain water and can contribute to more stable crop production under increasingly challenging weather conditions.

The studies recommend several measures, including:

• improving soil fertility through composting,

• increasing organic matter in the soil,

• introducing sustainable farming practices,

• preserving local seed varieties,

• providing training in climate-smart agriculture.

An important finding is that no use of chemical pesticides was identified in the analysed communities. This provides a promising foundation for the development of more sustainable and potentially organic agricultural production.

Gender equality as an important part of climate resilience

Climate change does not affect all members of society equally.

The study on the challenges facing rural areas in North Macedonia highlights the position of women in particular. Although women make up approximately 44% of the agricultural workforce, they own only around 21% of agricultural land.

At the same time, women often carry a greater share of unpaid household and care work, which can limit their access to education, financing and decision-making processes.

The project therefore pays particular attention to the inclusion of women in training activities, the development of their skills and support for entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

Greater participation of women is not only a matter of equality. It is also an important factor in strengthening the ability of rural communities to adapt to climate change.

From research to practical solutions

The two studies are not intended merely as an analysis of the current situation. Their findings provide the basis for concrete activities within the project.

Based on the research, Zavod Krog and Legis will implement activities aimed at:

• establishing rainwater harvesting systems,

• training households in sustainable gardening,

• improving knowledge of composting and soil conservation,

• promoting climate-smart agriculture,

• strengthening women's entrepreneurial skills in rural areas.

The goal is not only to increase the availability of water, but to create conditions that will enable communities to become better prepared for future climate challenges.

Why are these findings relevant beyond North Macedonia?

Although the studies focus on rural communities in North Macedonia, their findings are relevant to other regions facing the growing impacts of climate change.

The questions they raise – how to manage water more efficiently, protect soil fertility, strengthen food security and ensure that vulnerable groups are included in development processes – are becoming increasingly important in Slovenia and across Europe.

The sustainable future of rural areas will depend on the ability of communities to connect knowledge, local resources and accessible solutions.

Every drop counts. Every sustainable measure matters. And every community that prepares for the future strengthens its resilience.

Read the studies

Two studies were prepared as part of the project:

Study on Key Challenges in Rural Areas of North Macedonia, with a Special Focus on Gender Equality

Harvesting_Hope_Study on pressing issues of rural North Macedonia_gender_May2026.pdf

Download PDF • 1.39MB

Study and Mapping of Water and Soil Fertility Challenges

Harvesting_Hope_Study and mapping of water and land issues_May2026.pdf

Download PDF • 1.36MB

About the project

The project »Harvesting Hope: Community Rainwater Systems and gardening for Gender Justice« is implemented by Zavod Krog in cooperation with Legis from North Macedonia.

The project addresses the impacts of climate change on rural communities by introducing sustainable water solutions, promoting climate-smart agriculture and strengthening the role of women in the sustainable development of local communities.

The project is financed by Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within international development cooperation.