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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Council of Ansó
(
12/2020
)
The Summary Highlights of the Smart Village Strategy of Ansó has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
The Summary Highlights of the Smart Village Strategy of Ansó has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
Municipality of Alsunga
(
12/2020
)
The Summary Highlights of the Smart Village Strategy of Alsunga has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
The Summary Highlights of the Smart Village Strategy of Alsunga has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
Municipality of Ostana
, VISO A VISO
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Ostana has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
The Smart Village Strategy of Ostana has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
Municipality of Sollstedt
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Sollstedt has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : German
The Smart Village Strategy of Sollstedt has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : German
Municipality of Virtsu
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Virtsu has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : Estonian
The Smart Village Strategy of Virtsu has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : Estonian
Municipality of Uppony
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Uppony has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
The Smart Village Strategy of Uppony has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
Peter Plant
-
Torup Ting
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Torup has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
The Smart Village Strategy of Torup has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
Municipality of Šentviška Gora
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Šentviška Gora Plateau has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : Slovenian
The Smart Village Strategy of Šentviška Gora Plateau has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : Slovenian
Municipality of Babina Greda
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Babina Greda has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
The Smart Village Strategy of Babina Greda has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
Council of Ansó
( 12/2020 )
The Smart Village Strategy of Ansó has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : Spanish
The Smart Village Strategy of Ansó has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : Spanish
Municipality of Alsunga
(
12/2020
)
The Smart Village Strategy of Alsunga has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
The Smart Village Strategy of Alsunga has been developed in the context of the ‘Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ project funded by the European Commission.
Language : English
Jarlath O’Dwyer
(
2012
–
Ongoing
)
An Ecotourism Network is a recognisable network of enterprises in a locality/region which can demonstrate ecotourism ‘best practice’ and which have achieved independent accreditation in terms of achieving sustainable standards in tourism. Tourism enterprises are asked to sign up to a Sustainable Code of Practice for Tourism, which can require them to conduct any, or all, of the following actions:
Type of resource : Smart Solution
An Ecotourism Network is a recognisable network of enterprises in a locality/region which can demonstrate ecotourism ‘best practice’ and which have achieved independent accreditation in terms of achieving sustainable standards in tourism. Tourism enterprises are asked to sign up to a Sustainable Code of Practice for Tourism, which can require them to conduct any, or all, of the following actions:
- Develop an Environmental Policy and Environmental Action Plan for their business.
- Implement practices in the areas of energy consumption, waste management, water conservation and protection.
- Commit to practices of responsible marketing, visitor interpretation, green purchasing, and sustainable transport.
- Complete ‘Leave No Trace’ awareness training and observe ‘Leave No Trace’ principles at all times.
- Possibility for shared destination marketing and promotion strategies/campaigns.
- ‘One voice’ representation on key issues of local development.
- Training and innovation support for business development.
- Members positively discriminate in each other’s favour and have networking possibilities to develop innovative visitor packages.
- Joint conservation and advocacy activities in the area
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Beate Eckert
(
03/2017
–
Ongoing
)
The principle of this community-led local transport concept is quite simple: the ride-sharing benches are located in highly visible public spaces. Signs with possible destinations are attached to them. If someone wants a ride, they simply hold up the sign with their desired destination and can then get a ride from a vehicle that stops at the bench and is heading in the same direction. If the destination is not on the signs, ride seekers can also make their own. If someone waiting doesn’t want to take a ride with the person who is stopping, they can politely tell them that they are waiting for someone they know. Photo credit: Michael Springer
Type of resource : Smart Solution
The principle of this community-led local transport concept is quite simple: the ride-sharing benches are located in highly visible public spaces. Signs with possible destinations are attached to them. If someone wants a ride, they simply hold up the sign with their desired destination and can then get a ride from a vehicle that stops at the bench and is heading in the same direction. If the destination is not on the signs, ride seekers can also make their own. If someone waiting doesn’t want to take a ride with the person who is stopping, they can politely tell them that they are waiting for someone they know. Photo credit: Michael Springer
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Municipality of Kalundborg
, Alexandra Institute
(
2016
)
The village was used as a living lab, testing out different sensors and technologies.
Language : Danish
Type of resource : Article
The village was used as a living lab, testing out different sensors and technologies.
Language : Danish
Type of resource : Article
Realdania
(
2018
–
Ongoing
)
The Law on Planning created in 2018 has been extended with a section: “Strategic Planning for Villages”, making it obligatory for the municipalities to include strategic planning for villages in the municipality planning. The start-up of this obligation has been supported by Realdania who has supported projects in two rural and an outlying municipality developing a method of strategic planning for villages. The method is presented in the ‘Long Live the Villages’ document: Focus has mainly been on developing a solid foundation for strategic planning, based on mapping and analysis of geography, demographics and civil society.
Language : Danish
The Law on Planning created in 2018 has been extended with a section: “Strategic Planning for Villages”, making it obligatory for the municipalities to include strategic planning for villages in the municipality planning. The start-up of this obligation has been supported by Realdania who has supported projects in two rural and an outlying municipality developing a method of strategic planning for villages. The method is presented in the ‘Long Live the Villages’ document: Focus has mainly been on developing a solid foundation for strategic planning, based on mapping and analysis of geography, demographics and civil society.
Language : Danish
Realdania
, Lokale og AnlægsFonden
Cluster of villages can apply for financial support to develop a meeting place within the cluster. This can be achieved by building, transforming or redefining existing facilities to strengthen the communities and leisure lives of village clusters. Good meeting places can take many forms. New thinking might be needed when more villages join forces as a community. A good meeting place makes it natural to gather in the cluster across villages, age and interests. It does not necessarily require a new building and it can be assembling multiple functions under the same roof or transforming something old into something new.
Language : Danish, English
Cluster of villages can apply for financial support to develop a meeting place within the cluster. This can be achieved by building, transforming or redefining existing facilities to strengthen the communities and leisure lives of village clusters. Good meeting places can take many forms. New thinking might be needed when more villages join forces as a community. A good meeting place makes it natural to gather in the cluster across villages, age and interests. It does not necessarily require a new building and it can be assembling multiple functions under the same roof or transforming something old into something new.
Language : Danish, English
Nordea foundation
(
2020
)
Contributing to good life in villages include activities with and about health, kids, exercise, nature and culture, and include activities that benefit as well as are accessible to many. The aim is:
Language : Danish, English
Contributing to good life in villages include activities with and about health, kids, exercise, nature and culture, and include activities that benefit as well as are accessible to many. The aim is:
- empowering communities,
- involving volunteers and engaging citizens in the local area,
- basing on or establishing new partnerships locally,
- contributing to the life of small urban communities all year round,
- ensuring social and environmental sustainability, for example, in the area of environmental protection (for materials, energy solutions, transport, etc.),
- ensuring the needs of different interest groups in the area.
Language : Danish, English
Landdistrikternes Fællesråd (Council of Rural Districts)
, Forenet Kredit
, Ministry for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs
(
1995
–
Ongoing
)
“The Village of the Year” was established in 1995 by the National Association of Villages in Denmark (LAL). The prize is awarded by the Landdistrikternes Fællesråd / Council of Rural Districts (LDF ) and LAL in cooperation with Forenet Kredit. For villages of less than 1,200 inhabitants. Themes for the last 5 years: 2016 Importance of the voluntary fiery souls for community and local development (Trekroner). 2017 The digital Village: Settlement, democratic formation, and digitisation (Vallekilde) 2018 The cooperating village: Collaborative skills, Involvement, and results (Fejø) 2019 The sustainable village: Environment and energy. Social, culture and economy (Torup) 2020 How do the communities/villages get through a crisis?
Language : Danish
“The Village of the Year” was established in 1995 by the National Association of Villages in Denmark (LAL). The prize is awarded by the Landdistrikternes Fællesråd / Council of Rural Districts (LDF ) and LAL in cooperation with Forenet Kredit. For villages of less than 1,200 inhabitants. Themes for the last 5 years: 2016 Importance of the voluntary fiery souls for community and local development (Trekroner). 2017 The digital Village: Settlement, democratic formation, and digitisation (Vallekilde) 2018 The cooperating village: Collaborative skills, Involvement, and results (Fejø) 2019 The sustainable village: Environment and energy. Social, culture and economy (Torup) 2020 How do the communities/villages get through a crisis?
Language : Danish
Danish Agriculture & Food Council
Danish Agriculture & Food Council together with the Council for Rural Districts expect the crisis (due to COVID-19) will affect rural areas hard, due to job losses have more negative effects if investment is not made. That is why they have launched the vision ‘Reboot Denmark’ with 29 concrete proposals on how to create more growth and more jobs in rural areas.
Language : Danish
Danish Agriculture & Food Council together with the Council for Rural Districts expect the crisis (due to COVID-19) will affect rural areas hard, due to job losses have more negative effects if investment is not made. That is why they have launched the vision ‘Reboot Denmark’ with 29 concrete proposals on how to create more growth and more jobs in rural areas.
Language : Danish
UK – Scotland
Ireland
Smart Islands in Scotland and Ireland: Supporting Enterprises and Young People
CoDeL
(
01/09/2019
–
Ongoing
)
This LEADER transnational project brings together island communities in Ireland (off the coast of Co. Donegal, Mayo, Galway and West Cork) and Scotland (especially Uist in the Outer Hebrides) to share and develop experiences and methodologies that can make their islands smart, dynamic and sustainable. It focusses on the critical role of young people returning, settling or staying on island communities, and the contribution they can make to reviving these remote communities. More specifically, the Smart Islands in Scotland and Ireland initiative: 1) Supports young people in contributing to local development in their island communities through community initiatives and/or enterprise 2) Shares knowledge and experience of innovation to enable island communities across Scotland and Ireland to learn from each other, about innovative and effective strategies for community development, not least around attracting and supporting young people.
Language : English
Monaghan Integrated Development CLG
(
17/02/2021
–
Ongoing
)
Innovating Communities is a two-year training project delivering innovative and creative training modules within the border region of Ireland (Co, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) using design thinking. The project, funded under the LEADER Cooperation element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, aims to meet current challenges facing rural areasthrough the development of new ways of thinking at local level in order to meet future opportunities and cope with challenges, as well as helping to involve community members in local decision making. A total of 105 training modules will be delivered to a range of local stakeholders at community level across the region in the areas of biodiversity, climate action, connectivity / broadband, smart villages and social enterprise.
Language : English
Type of resource : Website
Innovating Communities is a two-year training project delivering innovative and creative training modules within the border region of Ireland (Co, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth) using design thinking. The project, funded under the LEADER Cooperation element of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, aims to meet current challenges facing rural areasthrough the development of new ways of thinking at local level in order to meet future opportunities and cope with challenges, as well as helping to involve community members in local decision making. A total of 105 training modules will be delivered to a range of local stakeholders at community level across the region in the areas of biodiversity, climate action, connectivity / broadband, smart villages and social enterprise.
Language : English
Type of resource : Website
Gabriel O'Connell
-
Irish Local Development Network (ILDN)
(
04/07/2019
)
Presentation provided at the ‘Smart Villages and Rural Towns in Ireland: Revitalising Rural Areas through Community-Led Innovation’ National Seminar
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Presentation provided at the ‘Smart Villages and Rural Towns in Ireland: Revitalising Rural Areas through Community-Led Innovation’ National Seminar
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Leitrim County Council
(
22/10/2018
)
A national conference on Smart Villages took place in Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill, Co. Leitrim in the west of Ireland. Leitrim County Council hosted this conference to highlight the issues, opportunities and progress achieved to date in developing the Smart Villages concept following the adoption by the Committee of the Regions of their paper on Revitalisation of Rural areas through Smart Towns/Villages, and an ongoing process in Leitrim of Town regeneration. Speakers highlighted how national policy such as the National Planning Framework and Project 2040 link to the smart villages concept and national policies are focused on building synergies between them which makes collaboration between different bodies important to achieve synergistic benefits. At a more local level, the conference also provided Leitrim with the opportunity to showcase how it is working to advance and apply the concept locally.
Language : English
A national conference on Smart Villages took place in Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill, Co. Leitrim in the west of Ireland. Leitrim County Council hosted this conference to highlight the issues, opportunities and progress achieved to date in developing the Smart Villages concept following the adoption by the Committee of the Regions of their paper on Revitalisation of Rural areas through Smart Towns/Villages, and an ongoing process in Leitrim of Town regeneration. Speakers highlighted how national policy such as the National Planning Framework and Project 2040 link to the smart villages concept and national policies are focused on building synergies between them which makes collaboration between different bodies important to achieve synergistic benefits. At a more local level, the conference also provided Leitrim with the opportunity to showcase how it is working to advance and apply the concept locally.
Language : English
FARNET
(
02/04/2019
–
04/04/2019
)
FARNET’s 8th transnational seminar took place from 2-4 April 2019 in Bantry, Ireland. The seminar was an opportunity for FLAG managers to explore ways in which their FLAG areas can become ‘smarter’ by doing things differently and investing in imaginative ideas to tackle existing challenges. It was also be a chance to reflect on how to work towards smarter strategies for the future. This seminar was organised at the initiative of the European Commission with the support of FLAG South, Ireland’s Sea Food Development Agency – BIM (Bord Iascaigh Mhara) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of the Republic of Ireland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Event
FARNET’s 8th transnational seminar took place from 2-4 April 2019 in Bantry, Ireland. The seminar was an opportunity for FLAG managers to explore ways in which their FLAG areas can become ‘smarter’ by doing things differently and investing in imaginative ideas to tackle existing challenges. It was also be a chance to reflect on how to work towards smarter strategies for the future. This seminar was organised at the initiative of the European Commission with the support of FLAG South, Ireland’s Sea Food Development Agency – BIM (Bord Iascaigh Mhara) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of the Republic of Ireland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Event
Noel Spillane
-
South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) CLG
, Ecorys
(
01/04/2017
–
01/04/2019
)
Killorglin in Co. Kerry was selected as a case study in the Smart Eco-Social Villages pilot project carried out by a consortium consisting of Ecorys, Origin for Sustainability and R.E.D. under the responsibility of the European Commission (DG-AGRI). The purpose of the project was to observe Smart Village activity to define the concept of Smart Village. The project mapped the current challenges and potential in 15 different rural towns and villages throughout Europe. Killorglin’s case study was based on their engagement with the community and the development of their local socio-economic plan. It is hoped that he outputs from this project will help inform future EU Rural Development Policy.
Language : English
Type of resource : Case study
Killorglin in Co. Kerry was selected as a case study in the Smart Eco-Social Villages pilot project carried out by a consortium consisting of Ecorys, Origin for Sustainability and R.E.D. under the responsibility of the European Commission (DG-AGRI). The purpose of the project was to observe Smart Village activity to define the concept of Smart Village. The project mapped the current challenges and potential in 15 different rural towns and villages throughout Europe. Killorglin’s case study was based on their engagement with the community and the development of their local socio-economic plan. It is hoped that he outputs from this project will help inform future EU Rural Development Policy.
Language : English
Type of resource : Case study
Catherine Murphy
-
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)
(
01/09/2015
–
31/08/2018
)
Innovative European Funded Erasmus + research project called ‘SmartRural’ with three other partners from Austria, France and Spain. The project looked at how ICT and mobile applications can be used to enhance agricultural activities as well as improving productivity, social and economic activities in rural communities. The project suggested the creation of an ad hoc training methodology based on the famers’s needs, offering them basic and specific knowledge on mobile applications. The project concluded with a conference entitled ‘The Future of Technology on the Farm’.
Language : English
Innovative European Funded Erasmus + research project called ‘SmartRural’ with three other partners from Austria, France and Spain. The project looked at how ICT and mobile applications can be used to enhance agricultural activities as well as improving productivity, social and economic activities in rural communities. The project suggested the creation of an ad hoc training methodology based on the famers’s needs, offering them basic and specific knowledge on mobile applications. The project concluded with a conference entitled ‘The Future of Technology on the Farm’.
Language : English
Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD)
, Irish National Rural Network
(
09/04/2019
)
An informative case study on Smart Village concept’s relationship with the LEADER Programme 2014-2020, as well as its close ties to Ireland’s ‘Smart Community’ initiative was produced.
Language : English
Type of resource : Case study
An informative case study on Smart Village concept’s relationship with the LEADER Programme 2014-2020, as well as its close ties to Ireland’s ‘Smart Community’ initiative was produced.
Language : English
Type of resource : Case study
Grow Remote
, Smart Community Tubbercurry & South Sligo
(
16/04/2019
)
Tubbercurry & South Sligo hosted a Grow Remote Conference on the 16th of April 2019. The Grow Remote organisation is championing the spread of remote working in Ireland, particularly within rural communities.
Language : English
Type of resource : Event
Tubbercurry & South Sligo hosted a Grow Remote Conference on the 16th of April 2019. The Grow Remote organisation is championing the spread of remote working in Ireland, particularly within rural communities.
Language : English
Type of resource : Event
Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD)
(
18/01/2019
)
Tubbercurry & South Sligo located in the west of Ireland have been selected as first rural area in Ireland to test the feasibility of the ‘Smart Community’ initiative, as the community already provides a self-service access to its local library using innovative technology from 8am to 10pm; 7 days a week; 365 days a year.
Language : English
Tubbercurry & South Sligo located in the west of Ireland have been selected as first rural area in Ireland to test the feasibility of the ‘Smart Community’ initiative, as the community already provides a self-service access to its local library using innovative technology from 8am to 10pm; 7 days a week; 365 days a year.
Language : English
Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD)
, Irish National Rural Network
(
09/04/2019
)
A case study on Smart Village concept’s relationship with the LEADER Programme 2014-2020
Language : English
Type of resource : Case study
A case study on Smart Village concept’s relationship with the LEADER Programme 2014-2020
Language : English
Type of resource : Case study
