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.
Search by keyword
Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land
(
08/06/2020
)
The Austrian NRN together with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism organised an online-event for 180 participants to discuss the state of play concerning the CAP-strategic plan. The Smart Villages concept and its relation to possible interventions were highlighted.
Language : German
Type of resource : Event
The Austrian NRN together with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism organised an online-event for 180 participants to discuss the state of play concerning the CAP-strategic plan. The Smart Villages concept and its relation to possible interventions were highlighted.
Language : German
Type of resource : Event
Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land
(
25/05/2020
)
On 25th May 2020, the Austrian Network for Rural Development organised an online-conference on Smart Villages. A special emphasis was placed on the current considerations on how to implement Smart Villages in the new CAP Strategic Plan. Representatives from the federal ministry presented their current proposal; 10 projects from 5 thematic fields were presented in 10 breakout-sessions followed by discussions about necessary frameworks for smart village projects.
Language : German
Type of resource : Event
On 25th May 2020, the Austrian Network for Rural Development organised an online-conference on Smart Villages. A special emphasis was placed on the current considerations on how to implement Smart Villages in the new CAP Strategic Plan. Representatives from the federal ministry presented their current proposal; 10 projects from 5 thematic fields were presented in 10 breakout-sessions followed by discussions about necessary frameworks for smart village projects.
Language : German
Type of resource : Event
Swiss Centre for mountain regions Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die Berggebiete SAB
, University of Maribor
The project aims to apply a Smart Village approach and bring together – in so-called Regional Stakeholder Groups (policy makers, business, academia and civil society) to improve the framework for innovation through new forms of stakeholder involvement facilitated by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The test area includes Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Website
The project aims to apply a Smart Village approach and bring together – in so-called Regional Stakeholder Groups (policy makers, business, academia and civil society) to improve the framework for innovation through new forms of stakeholder involvement facilitated by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The test area includes Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Website
Julian Gschnell
-
Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism
(
03/06/2020
)
ENRD thematic group presentation on Smart Villages & CAP strategic planning in Austria.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
ENRD thematic group presentation on Smart Villages & CAP strategic planning in Austria.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Julian Gschnell
-
Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism
(
04/10/2018
)
ENRD thematic group presentation by Mr Julian Gschnell on Smart Villages development in Austria.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
ENRD thematic group presentation by Mr Julian Gschnell on Smart Villages development in Austria.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Austria
Smart Villages and rural development in Austria – possibilities for implementation under the CAP-SP
Julian Gschnell
, Christian Rosenwirth
-
Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism
Presentation at the Smart Village online-conference.
Language : German
Type of resource : Presentation
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (Managing Authority)
The website provides details, announcements and publications for all the Measures of the Programme. At the following link, promotional spots are provided.
Language : Greek
Type of resource : Website
The website provides details, announcements and publications for all the Measures of the Programme. At the following link, promotional spots are provided.
Language : Greek
Type of resource : Website
Conférence Permanente du Développement territorial
(
2015
)
Analysis of the drivers of the development of rural areas, including obstacles and ways to allow these areas to fully participate in shaping Wallonia.
Language : French
Type of resource : Report
Analysis of the drivers of the development of rural areas, including obstacles and ways to allow these areas to fully participate in shaping Wallonia.
Language : French
Type of resource : Report
Belgium – Wallonia
Regard sur l’économie Wallonne – Economie du numérique (A look at the Walloon Economy – Digital Economy)
SOGEPA – Economic and Strategic Analysis Unit
(
2015
)
Reference document (2015) used as a basis for reflection during the Assises du Numérique (participative approach on digitalisation), organised for the first time in 2015.
Language : French
Type of resource : Report
Walloon Network Support Unit
(
06/12/2018
)
Short seminar on “open data”
Language : French
Type of resource : Event
Short seminar on “open data”
Language : French
Type of resource : Event
Walloon Network Support Unit
(
17/05/2018
–
18/05/2018
)
2-day European Seminar including several workshops dealing with the themes of collaborative third-places, smart Rural Living Lab, Smart territory and village, smart farming, etc.
Language : English, French
Type of resource : Event, Report
2-day European Seminar including several workshops dealing with the themes of collaborative third-places, smart Rural Living Lab, Smart territory and village, smart farming, etc.
Language : English, French
Type of resource : Event, Report
Smart Cities Institute
Practical guides for smart cities developments.
Language : Dutch, French
Type of resource : Website
Practical guides for smart cities developments.
Language : Dutch, French
Type of resource : Website
Smart Cities Institute
Annual publication of a Smart City barometer for Wallonia.
Language : French
Type of resource : Website
Annual publication of a Smart City barometer for Wallonia.
Language : French
Type of resource : Website
Agence du Numérique (AdN) – (Digital Agency)
Official representatives of Digital Wallonia. They carry out 3 missions: promote digital technology, disseminate Digital Wallonia’s actions and propose ideas for the digital development of Wallonia.
Language : French
Type of resource : Article, Project description
Official representatives of Digital Wallonia. They carry out 3 missions: promote digital technology, disseminate Digital Wallonia’s actions and propose ideas for the digital development of Wallonia.
Language : French
Type of resource : Article, Project description
Walloon Public Service (SPW)
First edition of a Walloon geographic information exploitation programme.
Language : French
Type of resource : Website
First edition of a Walloon geographic information exploitation programme.
Language : French
Type of resource : Website
Agence du Numérique (AdN) – (Digital Agency)
(
2019
)
Projects aim to encourage Walloon towns and municipalities to develop digital projects in the areas of energy, environment, mobility or governance.
Language : French
Type of resource : Project description
Projects aim to encourage Walloon towns and municipalities to develop digital projects in the areas of energy, environment, mobility or governance.
Language : French
Type of resource : Project description
Agence du Numérique (AdN) – (Digital Agency)
Website of Agence du Numérique (AdN) responsible for implementing the Digital Wallonia Strategy
Language : English, French
Type of resource : Website
Website of Agence du Numérique (AdN) responsible for implementing the Digital Wallonia Strategy
Language : English, French
Type of resource : Website
Meuse Campagnes LAG
Projects by Meuse Campagnes, including assistance tools for the reconstruction of the ecological network (biodiversity), including participatory production of qualitative data on biotopes by citizens (hedges, trees, islets, plantations, etc.) on a web platform. The platform will also allow citizens to visualise the potential of biodiversity of its plot / commune, to receive advice on its plot and to report public places to maintain biodiversity level in different areas.
Language : French
Type of resource : Project description
Projects by Meuse Campagnes, including assistance tools for the reconstruction of the ecological network (biodiversity), including participatory production of qualitative data on biotopes by citizens (hedges, trees, islets, plantations, etc.) on a web platform. The platform will also allow citizens to visualise the potential of biodiversity of its plot / commune, to receive advice on its plot and to report public places to maintain biodiversity level in different areas.
Language : French
Type of resource : Project description
Célia Gonçalves
(
2016
–
2016
)
This solution allows remote monitoring of parameters such as weight, blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, oximetry and body temperature. These parameters are of the utmost importance, since they are directly related to pathologies with a great prevalence in Portugal, and are responsible for high rates of mortality and morbidity and, therefore, represent a relevant economic cost for the National Health System. The eHealth system allows the early diagnosis and prevention of risk situations, as well as a more efficient management of care provision, in particular for those suffering from chronic illnesses, and an improvement in the response capacity of health units. This particular version of eHealth solution – applied in the Portuguese village of Sabugueiro – makes use of a recent technology developed by a private national company, based in the Institute Pedro Nunes (IPN) Incubator – Association for the Development of Incubation Activities for Ideas and Businesses (a private, non-profit institution created in 2002 on the initiative of University of Coimbra. The equipment consists of a kit including a weighing scale, a digital blood pressure monitor (sphygmomanometer) with integrated blood glucose meter, and a tablet computer. The user – either autonomously or with support from a carer – performs the measurements at home, and the data is transmitted via Bluetooth to the tablet computer where, after validation, it is sent via internet in an encrypted and secure mode using the integrated 3G module to a specific server (web portal), where is stored and made available for consultation to duly authorised health professionals in real-time. The historical data is also available to the authorised professionals.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
This solution allows remote monitoring of parameters such as weight, blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, oximetry and body temperature. These parameters are of the utmost importance, since they are directly related to pathologies with a great prevalence in Portugal, and are responsible for high rates of mortality and morbidity and, therefore, represent a relevant economic cost for the National Health System. The eHealth system allows the early diagnosis and prevention of risk situations, as well as a more efficient management of care provision, in particular for those suffering from chronic illnesses, and an improvement in the response capacity of health units. This particular version of eHealth solution – applied in the Portuguese village of Sabugueiro – makes use of a recent technology developed by a private national company, based in the Institute Pedro Nunes (IPN) Incubator – Association for the Development of Incubation Activities for Ideas and Businesses (a private, non-profit institution created in 2002 on the initiative of University of Coimbra. The equipment consists of a kit including a weighing scale, a digital blood pressure monitor (sphygmomanometer) with integrated blood glucose meter, and a tablet computer. The user – either autonomously or with support from a carer – performs the measurements at home, and the data is transmitted via Bluetooth to the tablet computer where, after validation, it is sent via internet in an encrypted and secure mode using the integrated 3G module to a specific server (web portal), where is stored and made available for consultation to duly authorised health professionals in real-time. The historical data is also available to the authorised professionals.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Alberto Alfonso Pordomingo
(
01/05/2014
–
Ongoing
)
This solution takes advantage of ICT and the emotional connection that many people still feel with rural areas – even if they are not living there themselves. People are able to remotely adopt an olive tree and thus create a link with the rural area (maybe of their parents or grandparents), whilst contributing financially to the sustainable development/maintenance of the local rural community. The online platform www.adoptanolivetree.org takes advantage of modern ICT to enable an emotional and financial connection to be made between the rural area and these ‘adoptive parents’ wherever they may be located in the world. The solution also uses features including a QR Code on each olive tree, sensors in the olive grove and geolocation, a digital field notebook, the use of drones and mobiles for video calls and image capture from the olive grove and a new mobile phone app, so that adoptive parents can follow the evolution of their tree. The solution is developed by an innovative social entrepreneurship project that works from ICT to generate local employment for people excluded from the labour market and with intellectual disabilities, whilst promoting sustainable rural development. The money raised supports local work in the rural community to recover abandoned centennial olive grove and their biodiversity in a sustainable way, using the principles of land stewardship. The solution generates a triple positive balance, promoting economically, environmentally and socially sustainable rural development. Adoptive parents are able to live the experience of becoming a true hero of local rural change!
Type of resource : Smart Solution
This solution takes advantage of ICT and the emotional connection that many people still feel with rural areas – even if they are not living there themselves. People are able to remotely adopt an olive tree and thus create a link with the rural area (maybe of their parents or grandparents), whilst contributing financially to the sustainable development/maintenance of the local rural community. The online platform www.adoptanolivetree.org takes advantage of modern ICT to enable an emotional and financial connection to be made between the rural area and these ‘adoptive parents’ wherever they may be located in the world. The solution also uses features including a QR Code on each olive tree, sensors in the olive grove and geolocation, a digital field notebook, the use of drones and mobiles for video calls and image capture from the olive grove and a new mobile phone app, so that adoptive parents can follow the evolution of their tree. The solution is developed by an innovative social entrepreneurship project that works from ICT to generate local employment for people excluded from the labour market and with intellectual disabilities, whilst promoting sustainable rural development. The money raised supports local work in the rural community to recover abandoned centennial olive grove and their biodiversity in a sustainable way, using the principles of land stewardship. The solution generates a triple positive balance, promoting economically, environmentally and socially sustainable rural development. Adoptive parents are able to live the experience of becoming a true hero of local rural change!
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Joann Hosey
(
01/2019
–
Ongoing
)
Type of resource : Smart Solution
- Grow Remote connects remote workers, companies, and local communities so that people can choose to work where they want to live, and not vice versa.
- Grow Remote, through events and an ever increasing network of local ‘Chapters’, bypasses traditional methods for creating employment opportunities in rural areas by equipping community leaders with the necessary tools and resources required to build a remote working ecosystem and connection between remote jobs (at a national and international stage), remote workers and local communities at local level.
- This solution was developed by a group of community developers from across Ireland who were trying to understand the best way to bridge the gap between remote work and local impact in order to make rural communities more viable, sustainable and vibrant moving forward. It operates as a ‘Meitheal’ – the old way of working in rural Ireland where everyone in a local area chips in with part of the solution to help support the economic and social revolution of Irish villages and rural towns through remote working.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Antonio Vella
(
01/06/2016
–
31/03/2021
)
This solution involves physically and digitally adapting a rural village to make it more accessible and welcoming to an increased diversity of visitors, with particular reference to people with different types of physical disabilities (hard of hearing people, blind people, people with motor disabilities), in order to attract more tourists and develop a diversity and welcoming culture at local level. Physical infrastructure modifications can include:
Type of resource : Smart Solution
This solution involves physically and digitally adapting a rural village to make it more accessible and welcoming to an increased diversity of visitors, with particular reference to people with different types of physical disabilities (hard of hearing people, blind people, people with motor disabilities), in order to attract more tourists and develop a diversity and welcoming culture at local level. Physical infrastructure modifications can include:
- Removal of architectural barriers from the main streets of the village;
- Tactile pathways to give the possibility to blind people to move around the village and on outdoor trails autonomously.
- Installation of sensors and an ICT system based on radio-frequency identification and wi-fi hotposts to send touristic and other information to blind and hard of hearing people on their smartphones.
- Lodging space created or adapted for visitors with physical disabilities and their families.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Robert Hall
(
07/2015
–
08/2018
)
This small-scale biogas digester can be built and implemented by any rural community. It mainly consists of a chamber, which is specifically designed to enable it to contain compressed air and which can be fed (through ‘feeding’ pipes) with food and garden waste and water to instigate a natural process of biodigestion generating biogas (which is collected through an ‘outpipe’ with gas cap). The micro-biodigester has a simple design that can be made locally out of easy-to-make concrete, using concrete moulds. It has no moving parts, making it is relatively unlikely to have technical problems. The digester can run at variable flows and temperatures. The micro biodigester can be integrated into a full closed-loop system for the sustainable management of waste at a very localised level. The solution is not only able to enhance hygienic disposal of organic waste products with limited local odour, but it also generates valuable products in terms of fuel and fertiliser (which is also collected through a ‘run-off’ pipe).
Type of resource : Smart Solution
This small-scale biogas digester can be built and implemented by any rural community. It mainly consists of a chamber, which is specifically designed to enable it to contain compressed air and which can be fed (through ‘feeding’ pipes) with food and garden waste and water to instigate a natural process of biodigestion generating biogas (which is collected through an ‘outpipe’ with gas cap). The micro-biodigester has a simple design that can be made locally out of easy-to-make concrete, using concrete moulds. It has no moving parts, making it is relatively unlikely to have technical problems. The digester can run at variable flows and temperatures. The micro biodigester can be integrated into a full closed-loop system for the sustainable management of waste at a very localised level. The solution is not only able to enhance hygienic disposal of organic waste products with limited local odour, but it also generates valuable products in terms of fuel and fertiliser (which is also collected through a ‘run-off’ pipe).
Type of resource : Smart Solution
The roadmap for developing the availability of modern broadband infrastructure in the country, as well as the adoption of high and ultra-high-speed broadband services by citizens and businesses. The plan includes a set of interventions at legislative and regulatory level, as well as practical support actions for the development of modern broadband infrastructures.
Language : English
Type of resource : Report, Website
Géza Gelencsér
This solution is an extension of aquaponics to include insect breeding and renewable energy. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. In this ‘AquaGeoComponics’ solution, catfish, vegetables and compost are produced in a pilot 150m2, two-storey building (like a greenhouse). Insects are bred on food waste and used for feeding the fish. Fish and insect breeding needs heating in winter, which is provided by renewable energy (solar panels supplying heat pumps). The project will be operated as a community enterprise by a public benefit association, using the profit for local development. It will employ one local person. Based on latest market trends, the price of the insect products is intensively growing, and therefore, the horticultural element might be excluded. This would result in a simpler system, which, besides producing feed for the fish, produces insect products for sale, instead of vegetables.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
This solution is an extension of aquaponics to include insect breeding and renewable energy. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. In this ‘AquaGeoComponics’ solution, catfish, vegetables and compost are produced in a pilot 150m2, two-storey building (like a greenhouse). Insects are bred on food waste and used for feeding the fish. Fish and insect breeding needs heating in winter, which is provided by renewable energy (solar panels supplying heat pumps). The project will be operated as a community enterprise by a public benefit association, using the profit for local development. It will employ one local person. Based on latest market trends, the price of the insect products is intensively growing, and therefore, the horticultural element might be excluded. This would result in a simpler system, which, besides producing feed for the fish, produces insect products for sale, instead of vegetables.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Miia Tiilikainen
(
08/2018
–
06/2020
)
After the closure of the village school in 2014, ‘home-schooling’ was organised by some parents, until a digital remote education pilot project ‘brought the school back’ to Eskola in 2018. A group of 14 children (aged 6 to 12) took part in the experiment. While a teacher and a teacher’s assistant were educating the kids locally, remote cooperation with a town school in Lapinjärvi – 500 km away from Eskola – allowed to take some specialist courses online together with the partner school, using digital technologies (Google jamboard and tablets). The initiative created the possibility for children in the small rural village of Eskola (Finland) to continue education in the village even after the formal closure of the local village school.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
After the closure of the village school in 2014, ‘home-schooling’ was organised by some parents, until a digital remote education pilot project ‘brought the school back’ to Eskola in 2018. A group of 14 children (aged 6 to 12) took part in the experiment. While a teacher and a teacher’s assistant were educating the kids locally, remote cooperation with a town school in Lapinjärvi – 500 km away from Eskola – allowed to take some specialist courses online together with the partner school, using digital technologies (Google jamboard and tablets). The initiative created the possibility for children in the small rural village of Eskola (Finland) to continue education in the village even after the formal closure of the local village school.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Mirka Huhtanen
(
06/02/2016
–
28/01/2019
)
The installation of a comprehensive fibre-optic network in a village by engaging local residents in the creation of a local cooperative and applying for funding (for example from LEADER) to pay for the public works required to dig and lay fibre-optic cables. Cooperation and planning with local landowners is essential (for example, to plan around farming schedules) and planned network maps should be checked by external experts. Construction can be undertaken by local volunteers or outsourced to an external company (where funding allows).
Type of resource : Smart Solution
The installation of a comprehensive fibre-optic network in a village by engaging local residents in the creation of a local cooperative and applying for funding (for example from LEADER) to pay for the public works required to dig and lay fibre-optic cables. Cooperation and planning with local landowners is essential (for example, to plan around farming schedules) and planned network maps should be checked by external experts. Construction can be undertaken by local volunteers or outsourced to an external company (where funding allows).
Type of resource : Smart Solution
