Key data
| Regulation | Order APA/1111/2026, of October 7 |
|---|---|
| Modifies | Order AAA/839/2015, of April 29 (original regulatory bases) |
| Publication | October 23, 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the regulation |
| Affected parties | Rural women, entrepreneurs, rural SMEs, journalists and rural entities |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| General territorial threshold | Municipalities of up to 20,000 inhabitants (singular entities < 5,000 inhabitants) |
| Territorial threshold fishing areas | Up to 50,000 inhabitants if the municipality belongs to a GALP |
| Decision-making power requirement | At least 50% in the hands of women (legal entities) |
If you have an SME, association or project in rural areas, this modification can open the door to a national awards competition that you previously could not access. The Order APA/1111/2026, published on October 23, 2026, reforms the regulatory bases approved in 2015 to adapt them to the Demographic Challenge policy and the current reality of rural and fishing areas.
The change is not just in name: it affects the territorial scope, the participation requirements for legal entities, the extension of the small or micro SME criterion to more categories and the update of the journalism category.
What does this regulation establish?
Order APA/1111/2026 modifies several specific points in the 2015 regulatory bases. Below are the key changes in comparative format:
| Aspect | Before (Order AAA/839/2015) | Now (Order APA/1111/2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Name of awards | Excellence Awards for Innovation for Rural Women | National Awards for Rural Women |
| General territorial threshold | More restrictive (not aligned with Demographic Challenge) | Municipalities of up to 20,000 inhabitants whose singular entities have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants |
| Territorial threshold fishing areas | Not specifically contemplated | Up to 50,000 inhabitants if the municipality belongs to a GALP |
| Legal entities requirement | Not specified with concrete percentage | At least 50% of decision-making power in the hands of women |
| Business size requirement | Small or micro SME in limited categories | Extended to more award categories |
| Journalism category | Previous criteria | Updated with new evaluation criteria |
| Evaluation criteria | General criteria | Prioritizes female participation in decision-making bodies and projects in small municipalities |
Alignment with the Demographic Challenge policy is the central axis of the reform: the aim is for the awards to effectively reach territories with the greatest risk of depopulation, expanding the scope of municipalities that can submit applications.
Economic and operational impact
This regulation does not generate direct costs for companies: it does not impose fees, sanctions or new compliance obligations. Its impact is one of opportunity, not regulatory burden.
- Access to national recognition: Winning a National Award for Rural Women has reputational value and can facilitate access to other aid and subsidy calls linked to rural areas.
- Larger participant base: The territorial expansion incorporates municipalities that were previously excluded, which increases competition but also democratizes access.
- 50% decision-making power requirement: Legal entities that want to participate must review their governance structure. If this threshold is not met, the entity is excluded from the call.
- Updated journalism category: Media and journalists specializing in rural areas must review the new evaluation criteria before submitting applications.
- Extended SME requirement: More categories require being a small or micro SME, which may exclude larger companies that could previously compete.
Who does it affect?
- Female entrepreneurs and self-employed workers with activity in rural municipalities of up to 20,000 inhabitants.
- Small and micro SMEs with headquarters or main activity in rural areas, led or co-managed by women.
- Associations and non-profit entities in rural areas where at least 50% of decision-making power corresponds to women.
- Fishing sector companies and cooperatives located in municipalities of up to 50,000 inhabitants integrated into a Local Fishing Action Group (GALP).
- Journalists and media outlets specializing in rural area information (updated journalism category).
- Entities in areas at risk of depopulation covered by the Demographic Challenge policy.
Practical example
Imagine an agricultural cooperative led by women in a municipality of 18,000 inhabitants in Castilla y León, whose reference singular entity has 3,200 inhabitants. Under the 2015 bases, this cooperative could have been excluded from the eligible territorial scope. With the new Order APA/1111/2026, it meets the dual requirement: municipality of less than 20,000 inhabitants and singular entity below 5,000 inhabitants.
Furthermore, if the cooperative demonstrates that at least 50% of its governing board or management committee is composed of women, it also meets the decision-making power requirement for legal entities. If classified as a micro or small SME, it will be able to apply for categories where this business size is now required.
In the case of a women's fishing association in a coastal municipality of 35,000 inhabitants integrated into a GALP, the new regulation also opens the door: previously the 20,000 inhabitant threshold excluded it; now, as it belongs to a GALP, the limit rises to 50,000 inhabitants.
What should companies do now?
- Verify if your municipality is now eligible: Check if your locality has fewer than 20,000 inhabitants and if its reference singular entity is below 5,000. If you operate in a fishing area, verify if your municipality belongs to a GALP to apply the 50,000 inhabitant threshold.
- Review your entity's governance structure: If you participate as a legal entity, ensure that at least 50% of decision-making power (board, management committee, voting partners) is in the hands of women. Document this before submitting your application.
- Confirm your company size: Check if your company meets the definition of small or micro SME, as this requirement has been extended to more award categories.
- Consult the updated criteria for the journalism category: If you are a journalist or media outlet specializing in rural areas, review the new evaluation criteria before preparing your application.
- Wait for the annual call: The modified regulatory bases are the general framework; the specific call with deadlines and budget allocation is published separately. Stay alert for new publications in the BOE.
Frequently asked questions
Which municipalities can participate in the National Awards for Rural Women after the 2026 reform?
Entities from municipalities of up to 20,000 inhabitants whose singular entities have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants can participate. For municipalities in fishing areas that belong to a Local Fishing Action Group (GALP), the threshold rises to 50,000 inhabitants. This expansion aligns with the Demographic Challenge policy.
What percentage of women in management does a company need to be able to apply?
Legal entities (companies, cooperatives, associations) must demonstrate that at least 50% of decision-making power is in the hands of women. This requirement is new compared to the 2015 bases and is a condition of eligibility, not just an evaluation criterion.
What is the difference between the old Excellence Awards and the new National Awards for Rural Women?
The name change reflects a broader scope. In addition to the renaming, the reform expands the territorial scope (municipalities up to 20,000 inhabitants in general and up to 50,000 in GALP areas), extends the requirement to be a small or micro SME to more categories, introduces the 50% female decision-making power threshold for legal entities and updates the journalism category with new evaluation criteria.
What is a GALP and why does it matter for these awards?
A GALP (Local Fishing Action Group) is a participatory management entity of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund that operates in coastal or inland areas with relevant fishing activity. If the municipality where you carry out your activity belongs to a GALP, you can benefit from the expanded threshold of 50,000 inhabitants to participate in the awards, instead of the general limit of 20,000 inhabitants.
When will the specific call for awards with deadlines and budget allocation be published?
Order APA/1111/2026 modifies only the regulatory bases, that is, the general framework of the awards. The annual call with submission deadlines, budget allocation and specific conditions is published separately in the BOE. The regulation does not specify an entry into force date or schedule for the next call.
Official source
View complete regulation at official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22211
