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RISE - Responses and initiatives for stopping GBV in rural and remote areas

The RISE project is a European project funded by the CERV programme, implemented by four organisations from Italy, Spain and Greece, and led by Associazione MondoDonna (Italy). It will run for 24 months from March 2026, and its aim is to improve access to specialised and inclusive services for women in rural and peripheral areas who have experienced some form of gender-based violence. The project combines applied research, training, pilot services and advocacy to develop a community-based model that is scalable and adaptable to rural contexts.

Context

Women in rural and outlying areas who have experienced some form of gender-based violence face a structural gap in access to specialised services. Rural areas are characterised by a combination of aggravating factors: greater geographical isolation, reduced institutional coverage, a shortage of specialist resources addressing gender-based violence, and additional barriers for women with intersectional profiles (migration, disability, poverty). Added to this is the lack of capacity among local actors – such as public institutions, communities and social services – to identify, refer and support victims appropriately and with a gender-sensitive approach.

This situation highlights the urgent need to develop decentralised, intersectional intervention models tailored to rural contexts, which not only provide direct support but also strengthen the institutional and community fabric to ensure the sustainability of the responses.

General objective:

The overall aim is to improve access to high-quality, specialised services with an intersectional approach for women who are survivors of gender-based violence, paying particular attention to those who face multiple forms of discrimination: migrant women, women with disabilities and women in precarious socio-economic circumstances.

Specific objectives:

To create a replicable and adaptable model for the prevention of and response to gender-based violence in rural areas across Europe.
To expand the network of physical, fixed and mobile access points for women who are victims of gender-based violence in rural or remote areas.
To promote economic empowerment as a strategy for escaping violence.
To strengthen the capacity of communities and public authorities to deliver sustainable and transformative gender-sensitive responses.

Main activities

Intersectional research and diagnosis:

An Intersectional Vulnerability Index (IVI) is developed to map needs and gaps in services in the intervention areas of each country. This analysis, based on gender-disaggregated indicators, serves as the basis for the design of all project activities.

Training and capacity- building:

Training programmes are designed and implemented for two distinct groups: (1) institutional stakeholders (social workers, police, local representatives) receive training in VM, intersectionality, case management and trauma-informed care; and (2) members of the community, known as ‘Community Contact Points’ (neighbourhood residents, shopkeepers, local representatives, etc.), in early detection, safe referral and basic support for survivors.

Pilot scheme for specialist services:

Three complementary forms of support are being rolled out: mobile support units, specialist centres for women, and strategic plans for empowerment and escaping situations of violence.

Impact on public policy at local, national and European level

Influencing public policy at local, national and European level through policy reports, institutional evaluation tools and an international conference.

Results / Expected Impact

A total of at least 90 women in rural areas were treated via mobile units
At least 6 empowerment groups, comprising 15 women each
At least three specialist centres for women that will be able to continue operating after the end of the project through municipal agreements
At least 90 community workers (community outreach workers) trained in early detection and referral
At least 45 professionals working in institutions who have received training in trauma-informed care and intersectionality
A replicable, evidence-based and intersectional rural model of care for VM, validated in three different national contexts
Greater institutional and community capacity to respond independently and sustainably to gender-based violence in rural areas

RISE: Responses and Initiatives for Stopping Gender-Based Violence in Rural and Remote Areas is funded under the European Commission’s CERV-2025-DAPHNE call for proposals.

It is coordinated by Associazione Mondodonna (IT), with partner organisations ABD (ES), UWAH (GR) and Fondazione Yunus Italia (IT).

RISE

RISE – Responses and initiatives for stopping GBV in rural and remote areas The RISE project is a European project funded by the CERV programme, implemented by four organisations from…