What’s happening in my country
On the country pages you will find useful information about what is happening in EU Member States concerning the planning and implementation of smart villages.
The information aims to orient people on policy planning, key contacts and resources on smart villages. However, it neither aims to be fully comprehensive, nor necessarily reflects the official government or European Commission position.
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COCONAT
(
2019
–
Ongoing
)
Bad Belzig and Wiesenburg are the real laboratory for testing digital tools in rural areas for Brandenburg Region.
Language : German
Bad Belzig and Wiesenburg are the real laboratory for testing digital tools in rural areas for Brandenburg Region.
Language : German
Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (Fraunhofer IESE)
, Economic Development Agency Brandenburg (WFBB)
, Bitkom
(
2019
–
Ongoing
)
A project targeting the state of Brandenburg as a lively economic and innovation area with its districts, towns and villages. The project follows the strategic goals of the “Future Strategy Digital Brandenburg” with which the state government wants to support “digital showcases and practical laboratories” so that “new developments become ‘tangible’ and transferable”.
Language : English, German
A project targeting the state of Brandenburg as a lively economic and innovation area with its districts, towns and villages. The project follows the strategic goals of the “Future Strategy Digital Brandenburg” with which the state government wants to support “digital showcases and practical laboratories” so that “new developments become ‘tangible’ and transferable”.
Language : English, German
Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (Fraunhofer IESE)
An initiative working to shorten the distances for food supply by using and testing a mobile sales vehicle that stops in the centre of villages that no longer have their own supply. The offer will be supplemented by a digital marketplace linking citizens, regional producers, and village shops, so that in addition to spontaneous purchases from the vehicle, orders can also be placed online.
Language : English, German
An initiative working to shorten the distances for food supply by using and testing a mobile sales vehicle that stops in the centre of villages that no longer have their own supply. The offer will be supplemented by a digital marketplace linking citizens, regional producers, and village shops, so that in addition to spontaneous purchases from the vehicle, orders can also be placed online.
Language : English, German
Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (Fraunhofer IESE)
, Digital Opportunities Foundation
A cooperation project in the southern part of the federal state. In the ‘Real Laboratory Southern Lower Saxony’ (located in Göttingen), the needs of the population in rural areas for more digital participation are determined together with municipalities in southern Lower Saxony. At the interface between citizens and administration, tests are being carried out on how the offers of the Digital Villages Platform can be used and further developed in order to enable a better quality of community life in villages. The focus is on the regional commitment of the local actors and the connection to municipal (administrative) structures.
Language : German
A cooperation project in the southern part of the federal state. In the ‘Real Laboratory Southern Lower Saxony’ (located in Göttingen), the needs of the population in rural areas for more digital participation are determined together with municipalities in southern Lower Saxony. At the interface between citizens and administration, tests are being carried out on how the offers of the Digital Villages Platform can be used and further developed in order to enable a better quality of community life in villages. The focus is on the regional commitment of the local actors and the connection to municipal (administrative) structures.
Language : German
Ministry of Regional Development Saxony
(
06/2020
–
Ongoing
)
A project that develops and tests digital applications for rural areas in the Lommatzscher Pflege LEADER region. The population, municipal representatives and scientists from the Fraunhofer Institutes for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE) and for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (IVI) jointly prepare specific practical proposals on how to implement these digital applications in workshops.
Language : Czech, English, German, Polish
A project that develops and tests digital applications for rural areas in the Lommatzscher Pflege LEADER region. The population, municipal representatives and scientists from the Fraunhofer Institutes for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE) and for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (IVI) jointly prepare specific practical proposals on how to implement these digital applications in workshops.
Language : Czech, English, German, Polish
Ministry of the Interior and Sports of the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate
(
2015
–
Ongoing
)
A project working to disseminate the findings and experiences of the three model communities of the ‘Digital Villages’ project, Eisenberg and Göllheim, as well as Betzdorf-Gebhardshain to interested communities in Rhineland-Palatinate and in order to support them in their digital projects. The networking project is funded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior and Sports.
Language : German
A project working to disseminate the findings and experiences of the three model communities of the ‘Digital Villages’ project, Eisenberg and Göllheim, as well as Betzdorf-Gebhardshain to interested communities in Rhineland-Palatinate and in order to support them in their digital projects. The networking project is funded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior and Sports.
Language : German
Salla Pätilä
-
Maaseutuverkosto – Finnish National Rural Network
(
06/05/2021
)
A presentation given at the thematic seminar on smart villages `Finnish experience and vision´ organised by the Estonian Rural Network.
Language : English
A presentation given at the thematic seminar on smart villages `Finnish experience and vision´ organised by the Estonian Rural Network.
Language : English
Finnish Food Authority
(
20/11/2019
)
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on experiences with implementing the lump sum (draft budget) cost option in Finland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on experiences with implementing the lump sum (draft budget) cost option in Finland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Marianne Selkäinaho
-
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
(
20/11/2019
)
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on opportunities under the Cooperation Measure (M16) of the Rural Development Programme.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on opportunities under the Cooperation Measure (M16) of the Rural Development Programme.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
LAG Varsinais-Suomen Jokivarsikumppanit
(
19/11/2019
–
20/11/2019
)
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on ways in which a LEADER project has benefitted from digital opportunities.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on ways in which a LEADER project has benefitted from digital opportunities.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Marianne Selkäinaho
-
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
(
20/11/2019
)
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on plans for the future framework for supporting smart villages in Finland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on plans for the future framework for supporting smart villages in Finland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Marianne Selkäinaho
-
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
(
19/11/2019
)
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on the current policy landscape for supporting smart villages in Finland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the ninth European Network for Rural Development thematic group meeting on smart villages on the current policy landscape for supporting smart villages in Finland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
European Network for Rural Development Contact Point (ENRD CP)
, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
, Maaseutuverkosto – Finnish National Rural Network
(
19/11/2019
–
20/11/2019
)
A meeting of the dedicated European Network for Rural Development thematic group featured a site visit to Finland, specifically, to two of the villages participating in the national ’smart village’ competition, Vähikkälä and Teuro-Kuuslammi, which outlined their visions for the future. The Finnish Managing Authority presented their proposal for supporting these and other villages in fulfilling their visions by designing a dedicated framework for smart villages in the CAP Strategic Plan.
Language : English
A meeting of the dedicated European Network for Rural Development thematic group featured a site visit to Finland, specifically, to two of the villages participating in the national ’smart village’ competition, Vähikkälä and Teuro-Kuuslammi, which outlined their visions for the future. The Finnish Managing Authority presented their proposal for supporting these and other villages in fulfilling their visions by designing a dedicated framework for smart villages in the CAP Strategic Plan.
Language : English
European Network for Rural Development Contact Point (ENRD CP)
(
02/2020
)
A briefing paper outlining Finland’s proposal to design future interventions under the CAP Strategic Plan in a way that is both simple to use and provides clear added value for rural communities. The briefing was produced in the framework of the European Network for Rural Development thematic group on smart villages.
Language : English
A briefing paper outlining Finland’s proposal to design future interventions under the CAP Strategic Plan in a way that is both simple to use and provides clear added value for rural communities. The briefing was produced in the framework of the European Network for Rural Development thematic group on smart villages.
Language : English
Maaseutuverkosto – Finnish National Rural Network
(
2019
–
2020
)
A presentation overviewing the timeline of the Finish NRN’s activities related to smart villages.
Language : Finnish
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation overviewing the timeline of the Finish NRN’s activities related to smart villages.
Language : Finnish
Type of resource : Presentation
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
, Maaseutuverkosto – Finnish National Rural Network
, Regional ELY-centres
(
03/2020
–
05/2020
)
A round of 15 regional ‘smart countryside’ events, organised around smart solutions in spring 2020.
Language : Finnish
A round of 15 regional ‘smart countryside’ events, organised around smart solutions in spring 2020.
Language : Finnish
Maaseutuverkosto – Finnish National Rural Network
(
10/2018
–
10/2020
)
A competition jointly organised by the Finnish National Support Unit and the smart villages thematic working group. Its aim was to find “the smartest village” that is able to take their intelligent, out-of-the-box thinking to the furthest. Participating villages are offered support and other inspirational content, such as innovation camps, training and peer-support to promote their journey to become smart. Digitisation is one of the cornerstones of this journey. All the villages describe their journey and smart end-products in audio-visual format. Based on these short videos and a field trip, the jury of the competition chose the winner in October 2020.
Language : Finnish
A competition jointly organised by the Finnish National Support Unit and the smart villages thematic working group. Its aim was to find “the smartest village” that is able to take their intelligent, out-of-the-box thinking to the furthest. Participating villages are offered support and other inspirational content, such as innovation camps, training and peer-support to promote their journey to become smart. Digitisation is one of the cornerstones of this journey. All the villages describe their journey and smart end-products in audio-visual format. Based on these short videos and a field trip, the jury of the competition chose the winner in October 2020.
Language : Finnish
Maaseutuverkosto – Finnish National Rural Network
(
01/2018
–
12/2020
)
The smart villages thematic group was one of the two thematic working groups of the Finnish National Rural Network. This group was consequently dissolved and a new one is planned under the Finnish Village Movement Association to continue the work. The work of the thematic group included event organisation and overall publicity for the ‘smart villages’ concept. The role of the national thematic group was to help get answers and open up the theme, and it achieved that during its mandate (2019-2020). Members of the group had expertise in innovation, digitisation, broadband, transport and mobility solutions, youth, entrepreneurship, education, and regional development and policy. The group launched discussions, collected and shared information, launched research, organised own events and participated in others’ events, and supported the ‘smartest village competition’. The group raised awareness of the concept and contributed to the planning of smart villages programming for 2021-2027.
Language : Finnish
The smart villages thematic group was one of the two thematic working groups of the Finnish National Rural Network. This group was consequently dissolved and a new one is planned under the Finnish Village Movement Association to continue the work. The work of the thematic group included event organisation and overall publicity for the ‘smart villages’ concept. The role of the national thematic group was to help get answers and open up the theme, and it achieved that during its mandate (2019-2020). Members of the group had expertise in innovation, digitisation, broadband, transport and mobility solutions, youth, entrepreneurship, education, and regional development and policy. The group launched discussions, collected and shared information, launched research, organised own events and participated in others’ events, and supported the ‘smartest village competition’. The group raised awareness of the concept and contributed to the planning of smart villages programming for 2021-2027.
Language : Finnish
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
(
26/10/2017
)
A presentation given at the first meeting of the European Network for Rural Development thematic group on smart villages.
A presentation given at the first meeting of the European Network for Rural Development thematic group on smart villages.
MDI
, Spatia – Centre for Regional Research
, Suomen ympäristökeskus (Finnish Environment Institute)
, University of Vaasa
(
05/2016
–
22/12/2016
)
A study carried out by the Finnish government examining the challenges facing the country’s rural areas and the opportunities offered by digitisation. The study provides a wide range of recommendations for improving digital innovations in rural services.
Language : English
A study carried out by the Finnish government examining the challenges facing the country’s rural areas and the opportunities offered by digitisation. The study provides a wide range of recommendations for improving digital innovations in rural services.
Language : English
Finland
Digital infrastructure strategy: Turning Finland into the world leader in communications networks
Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland
(
2018
–
2025
)
The Digital Infrastructure Strategy prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, promoting competitiveness and wellbeing by enabling the utilisation of, for example, data economy and artificial intelligence in both the private and public services. The strategy determines objectives for the development of the digital infrastructure in Finland by 2025, as well as the methods for achieving this objective. These cover both the promotion of wireless connections and the construction of fixed connections. The strategy further deals with other technologies supplementing the data communications infrastructure.
Language : Finnish
Hungarian National Rural Network
, LEADER LAGs Association (LESZ- Leader Egyesületek Szövetsége)
(
03/06/2016
–
04/06/2016
)
A one-day event was organised for rural development stakeholders, Local Action Group (LAG) representatives and policy makers. Among others, the ‘smart village’ concept was presented and a dedicated thematic workshop was held.
Language : Hungarian
Type of resource : Event
A one-day event was organised for rural development stakeholders, Local Action Group (LAG) representatives and policy makers. Among others, the ‘smart village’ concept was presented and a dedicated thematic workshop was held.
Language : Hungarian
Type of resource : Event
Alsómocsolád
(
2021
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Alsómocsolád, a Come Along! village of the Smart Rural 21 project.
Language : Hungarian
Type of resource : Document
The Smart Village Strategy of Alsómocsolád, a Come Along! village of the Smart Rural 21 project.
Language : Hungarian
Type of resource : Document
Ádám Szalai
, Szabolcs Fabula
(
2021
)
A study providing an extensive analysis of the concept of ‘smart village’, the changes observed in the interpretation of the term, and the results an empirical research on the feasibility of smart projects.
Language : Hungarian
A study providing an extensive analysis of the concept of ‘smart village’, the changes observed in the interpretation of the term, and the results an empirical research on the feasibility of smart projects.
Language : Hungarian
Hungarian National Rural Network
, Village Development Association (Falufejlesztési Társaság)
(
02/2020
–
Ongoing
)
The Academy is held quarterly with the aim of highlighting and transferring good practice examples and experiences of rural development from Hungary and abroad. The main topics include: management education; tourism development; branding of settlements and micro-regions; land and real estate development; local product development; innovation; agricultural management. The Academy is intended for village leaders, representatives of enterprises, non-governmental organisations interested in village development, leaders of advocacy organisations.
The Academy is held quarterly with the aim of highlighting and transferring good practice examples and experiences of rural development from Hungary and abroad. The main topics include: management education; tourism development; branding of settlements and micro-regions; land and real estate development; local product development; innovation; agricultural management. The Academy is intended for village leaders, representatives of enterprises, non-governmental organisations interested in village development, leaders of advocacy organisations.
