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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Ministry of Investments, Regional Development, and Informati-sation of the Slovak Republic
The aim is to improve the overall quality of life and ensure the sustainable provision of public services for regions, cities and municipalities. Priorities of the programme in the area of safe and ecological transport in regions, access to efficient and better public services, creative industries, etc. (Structural Funds)
Language : Slovak
The aim is to improve the overall quality of life and ensure the sustainable provision of public services for regions, cities and municipalities. Priorities of the programme in the area of safe and ecological transport in regions, access to efficient and better public services, creative industries, etc. (Structural Funds)
Language : Slovak
Andrea Lorenzini
, Giorgio Ambrosino
, Brendan Finn
-
MemEx Srl
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the outcomes of the SMARTA project. Its objective was to enhance the policies and practices on mobility in rural areas, leading to sustainable and accessible rural areas in EU countries.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the outcomes of the SMARTA project. Its objective was to enhance the policies and practices on mobility in rural areas, leading to sustainable and accessible rural areas in EU countries.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Ruud Groenendijk
-
Tussenheid Hilvarenbeek
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on ways in which flexible bus transport is provided to the community of Hilvarenbeek, one of the project’s Come Along! villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on ways in which flexible bus transport is provided to the community of Hilvarenbeek, one of the project’s Come Along! villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Marco Volontá
-
S.I.Ri.O. SRL
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on ways in which e-mobility was supported in Ostana (Italy), explaining the intervention actions and strategic elements of the support.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on ways in which e-mobility was supported in Ostana (Italy), explaining the intervention actions and strategic elements of the support.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Silvia Rovere
-
Municipality of Ostana
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the significance of smart villages for rural communities, delivered by the Mayor of Ostana (Italy).
Language : Italian
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the significance of smart villages for rural communities, delivered by the Mayor of Ostana (Italy).
Language : Italian
Type of resource : Presentation
Mara Lai
-
CREA Ricerche (CREA Research) – Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l’economia agraria (National Council for Research in Agriculture and Agriculture Economy)
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the support framework for smart villages in Italy.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the support framework for smart villages in Italy.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Antonio de Rossi
-
Politecnico di Torino
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on architecture and social innovation in the village.
Language : Italian
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on architecture and social innovation in the village.
Language : Italian
Type of resource : Presentation
Laura Cantarella
, Enrica Alberti
-
VISO A VISO
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the smart approach of Ostana (Italy), its vision and holistic approach.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the smart approach of Ostana (Italy), its vision and holistic approach.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Simone D’Antonio
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on ways in which the project is supporting Ostana (Italy), one of the 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on ways in which the project is supporting Ostana (Italy), one of the 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Fritz Pichler
-
Municipality of Stanz
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the social engagement of Stanz im Mürztal (Austria), one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the social engagement of Stanz im Mürztal (Austria), one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Wiet van Meel
-
Tussenheid Hilvarenbeek
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the Smart Village Strategy of Hilvarenbeek (the Netherlands), one of the project’s Come Along! villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the Smart Village Strategy of Hilvarenbeek (the Netherlands), one of the project’s Come Along! villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Kyriakos Kareklas
(
1970
–
Ongoing
)
The Municipal Council of Volunteers (MCV) is a membership organisation, coordinated by an elected body, that provides different tailored services to offer critical support to members of the community through volunteering. Funding comes from private donations and government subsidies. However, the essence of the MCV is the time and resources spent by volunteers. The MCV has a particular focus on delivering social services for the most vulnerable members of the community, for example through elder care services, daycare services or early years care and education support. It can also coordinate volunteer interventions in other areas such as energy efficiency, nature management and climate change. In this way, the MCV provides crucial additional support that goes beyond the typical capacity of the municipality to provide much needed social and environmental services and beyond the existing public welfare and social systems. A crucial aspect of its work is to identify and understand the different support needs within the community – particularly the most vulnerable and isolated members. On that basis, it can better target the intervention of volunteers within the community. The MCV is open to everyone in the community and particular emphasis is placed on intergenerational cooperation – bringing together volunteers of all ages and supporting members of the community of all ages. It is a powerful approach not only to maximise social support, but also foster community spirit and engagement and enhance quality of life, especially in small municipalities. A crucial innovative element of the MCV is the close collaboration of the volunteers and the (local and national) authorities. The services are offered under a unified approach to mobilising and organising volunteers, following strict standards that are set and audited by the authorities. The services are operated by professionals that are employed on a full-time basis, thus creating job opportunities. In terms of governance, the MCV is comprised of local members, consisting of representatives of the organised groups of the Municipality and authorities of various services, such as political parties, the church and parents’ associations. The Steering Committee, which is elected by the members every 3 years, with the Mayor as Chairman, has responsibility for the administration, supervision, operation and promotion of the purposes of the Council.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
The Municipal Council of Volunteers (MCV) is a membership organisation, coordinated by an elected body, that provides different tailored services to offer critical support to members of the community through volunteering. Funding comes from private donations and government subsidies. However, the essence of the MCV is the time and resources spent by volunteers. The MCV has a particular focus on delivering social services for the most vulnerable members of the community, for example through elder care services, daycare services or early years care and education support. It can also coordinate volunteer interventions in other areas such as energy efficiency, nature management and climate change. In this way, the MCV provides crucial additional support that goes beyond the typical capacity of the municipality to provide much needed social and environmental services and beyond the existing public welfare and social systems. A crucial aspect of its work is to identify and understand the different support needs within the community – particularly the most vulnerable and isolated members. On that basis, it can better target the intervention of volunteers within the community. The MCV is open to everyone in the community and particular emphasis is placed on intergenerational cooperation – bringing together volunteers of all ages and supporting members of the community of all ages. It is a powerful approach not only to maximise social support, but also foster community spirit and engagement and enhance quality of life, especially in small municipalities. A crucial innovative element of the MCV is the close collaboration of the volunteers and the (local and national) authorities. The services are offered under a unified approach to mobilising and organising volunteers, following strict standards that are set and audited by the authorities. The services are operated by professionals that are employed on a full-time basis, thus creating job opportunities. In terms of governance, the MCV is comprised of local members, consisting of representatives of the organised groups of the Municipality and authorities of various services, such as political parties, the church and parents’ associations. The Steering Committee, which is elected by the members every 3 years, with the Mayor as Chairman, has responsibility for the administration, supervision, operation and promotion of the purposes of the Council.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Aikaterini Kasimati
-
Agricultural University of Athens
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the third Smart Rural 21 regional workshop on Kythera’s (Greece) Smart Village Strategy and the involvement of the community in related smart actions, as one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the third Smart Rural 21 regional workshop on Kythera’s (Greece) Smart Village Strategy and the involvement of the community in related smart actions, as one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Mirka Huhtanen
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the social engagement of Raudanmaa (Finland), one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the social engagement of Raudanmaa (Finland), one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
E40
(
14/09/2021
)
A presentation given at the 1st Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project (Tomaszyn, Poland) on the lessons learnt during the project.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 1st Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project (Tomaszyn, Poland) on the lessons learnt during the project.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
E40
(
27/01/2022
)
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the state-of-play of the project.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 3rd Smart Rural 21 Regional Workshop on the state-of-play of the project.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
(
12/09/2021
)
A video recording of the Tomaszyn BioTech Conference
Language : English
Type of resource : Video
A video recording of the Tomaszyn BioTech Conference
Language : English
Type of resource : Video
Aldo Vargas
(
14/09/2021
)
A presentation at the first regional workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project (Tomaszyn, Poland) on the support provided to Tomaszyn by the Smart Rural 21 project.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation at the first regional workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project (Tomaszyn, Poland) on the support provided to Tomaszyn by the Smart Rural 21 project.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Joanna Gierulska
-
Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
(
14/09/2021
)
A presentation at the first regional workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project (Tomaszyn, Poland) on the support framework provided to Smart Villages in Poland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation at the first regional workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project (Tomaszyn, Poland) on the support framework provided to Smart Villages in Poland.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Kateřina Čadilová
-
Municipality of Mukařov
(
05/11/2021
)
A presentation given at of the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project by Mukařov, one of the project’s 21 selected villages, on the challenges, achievements and activities of the community.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at of the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project by Mukařov, one of the project’s 21 selected villages, on the challenges, achievements and activities of the community.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Polonca Kavcic
, Nives Laharnar
-
Municipality of Šentviška Gora
(
05/11/2021
)
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on the intergenerational centre and other smart activities of Šentviška Gora Plateau, one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on the intergenerational centre and other smart activities of Šentviška Gora Plateau, one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Géza Gelencsér
(
05/11/2021
)
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on the smart vision of Uppony, one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on the smart vision of Uppony, one of the project’s 21 selected villages.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Blanca Alfonso de la Riva
, Montse Castán
-
Council of Ansó
(
05/11/2021
)
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on the smart strategy of Ansó, one of the project’s 21 selected villages. Ansó’s aim is to create the ideal living conditions for stabilising the population and attracting new residents.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on the smart strategy of Ansó, one of the project’s 21 selected villages. Ansó’s aim is to create the ideal living conditions for stabilising the population and attracting new residents.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Rainer Rosegger
, Alexander Baldele
, Rainer Rosegger
-
SCAN
, Caliber Consult GmbH
(
05/11/2021
)
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on how the energy community and its support system work in Stanz, including the importance of social innovation and early community engagement.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
A presentation given at the 2nd Regional Workshop of the Smart Rural 21 project on how the energy community and its support system work in Stanz, including the importance of social innovation and early community engagement.
Language : English
Type of resource : Presentation
Mieke Vergeer
(
2019
–
Ongoing
)
Farmers cooperate to construct innovative water infiltration systems in the peat soil over their collective land in order to prevent soil subsidence and reduce peat oxidation and CO2 emissions. Farmers thus take joint responsibility for their contribution to climate goals.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Farmers cooperate to construct innovative water infiltration systems in the peat soil over their collective land in order to prevent soil subsidence and reduce peat oxidation and CO2 emissions. Farmers thus take joint responsibility for their contribution to climate goals.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Nelie Slob
(
04/2019
–
12/2019
)
The solution involves the creation of an unmanned food shop on or near a village farm so that participating farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers without having to pass through supermarkets or take on the cost of employing a full-time shopkeeper or make difficult decisions about when to open the shop. The shop can be open 24 hours a day to customers who have signed an agreement and paid a deposit in order to receive an electronic key. The concept is based on modern technology to operate the unmanned shop, but also trust between farmers and consumers. Local farmers keep the shop stocked with their full range of local, organic and seasonal produce. Farmers can take turns to man the shop at specific times when they can come into contact with their consumers and explain and present their produce – for example on Saturdays. Other activities can also be organised to encourage greater connection between consumers, the countryside and their food – such as open days, walking tours and festivals.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
The solution involves the creation of an unmanned food shop on or near a village farm so that participating farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers without having to pass through supermarkets or take on the cost of employing a full-time shopkeeper or make difficult decisions about when to open the shop. The shop can be open 24 hours a day to customers who have signed an agreement and paid a deposit in order to receive an electronic key. The concept is based on modern technology to operate the unmanned shop, but also trust between farmers and consumers. Local farmers keep the shop stocked with their full range of local, organic and seasonal produce. Farmers can take turns to man the shop at specific times when they can come into contact with their consumers and explain and present their produce – for example on Saturdays. Other activities can also be organised to encourage greater connection between consumers, the countryside and their food – such as open days, walking tours and festivals.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Daniel Wurster-Ellinger
(
06/2018
–
Ongoing
)
The solution offers an online as well as telephone booking platform for public transport connections in rural areas. It combines scheduled public transport lines and on-demand taxis so that tourists and locals can reach various destinations, even including remote locations, such as mountain huts and cabins. The service is offered throughout the year and the system guarantees a connection within 60 minutes from the time of booking. Passengers pay for their ride directly in the vehicle.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
The solution offers an online as well as telephone booking platform for public transport connections in rural areas. It combines scheduled public transport lines and on-demand taxis so that tourists and locals can reach various destinations, even including remote locations, such as mountain huts and cabins. The service is offered throughout the year and the system guarantees a connection within 60 minutes from the time of booking. Passengers pay for their ride directly in the vehicle.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Maria Zografou
(
06/2020
–
11/2020
)
The creation of a school for young people through a public-private partnership can overcome a key barrier preventing young families from living and working in rural areas. Particularly when implemented in areas with a growing or potentially growing local economic sector (e.g. agri-tourism) the creation of a nursery school can contribute to positive local development cycles bringing in new families and entrepreneurs. The solution requires a building to house the school and then funding to equip and staff the school appropriately. The provision of a local bus (or similar) service is crucial to enable children to come to attend the school from different villages in the region. A typical feature of the solution is an effective public-private cooperation to overcome the initial investment barriers to creating a school for relatively isolated rural communities. In this model, the private investment is crucial to set up the school, including initial investment in the building and infrastructure. After that, the education authorities /national government can take responsibility for a majority of the running costs of the school. This model thus helps to overcome the initial investment barriers that limit the ability of the public sector to set up a school meeting the needs of multiple municipalities across relatively isolated and sparse communities, whilst at the same time allowing public authorities to retain their overall competence for education services.”
Type of resource : Smart Solution
The creation of a school for young people through a public-private partnership can overcome a key barrier preventing young families from living and working in rural areas. Particularly when implemented in areas with a growing or potentially growing local economic sector (e.g. agri-tourism) the creation of a nursery school can contribute to positive local development cycles bringing in new families and entrepreneurs. The solution requires a building to house the school and then funding to equip and staff the school appropriately. The provision of a local bus (or similar) service is crucial to enable children to come to attend the school from different villages in the region. A typical feature of the solution is an effective public-private cooperation to overcome the initial investment barriers to creating a school for relatively isolated rural communities. In this model, the private investment is crucial to set up the school, including initial investment in the building and infrastructure. After that, the education authorities /national government can take responsibility for a majority of the running costs of the school. This model thus helps to overcome the initial investment barriers that limit the ability of the public sector to set up a school meeting the needs of multiple municipalities across relatively isolated and sparse communities, whilst at the same time allowing public authorities to retain their overall competence for education services.”
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Erika Gulácsi
(
10/2019
–
Ongoing
)
Local families are helped by professional mentors to create local produce to then sell through in local settings – such as markets – through a non-profit company. The solution involves the provision of mentoring support to disadvantaged individuals and families in a community to enable them to produce and sell a typical local product at a small scale. As well as mentoring support, participating families are provided with raw materials and tools to get them started in their chosen initiative. The produce is then sold locally through a cooperative, social enterprise or similar format. Example produce can include locally grown fruits and vegetables or artisan-made products such as baskets. The choice of produce should be inspired by the local area, its existing specialities and the produce that can generate the greatest return on investment. The use of pilots can be useful in training local people and creating the community spirit around the initiative. The solution allows families living in deep poverty to earn an additional income, which can represent a substantial increase – especially for families whose only income is otherwise from social benefits. The community spirit generated can be mobilised to develop further income-generating activities.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Local families are helped by professional mentors to create local produce to then sell through in local settings – such as markets – through a non-profit company. The solution involves the provision of mentoring support to disadvantaged individuals and families in a community to enable them to produce and sell a typical local product at a small scale. As well as mentoring support, participating families are provided with raw materials and tools to get them started in their chosen initiative. The produce is then sold locally through a cooperative, social enterprise or similar format. Example produce can include locally grown fruits and vegetables or artisan-made products such as baskets. The choice of produce should be inspired by the local area, its existing specialities and the produce that can generate the greatest return on investment. The use of pilots can be useful in training local people and creating the community spirit around the initiative. The solution allows families living in deep poverty to earn an additional income, which can represent a substantial increase – especially for families whose only income is otherwise from social benefits. The community spirit generated can be mobilised to develop further income-generating activities.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
Laura Cantarella
(
2013
–
Ongoing
)
A hub organising high-quality cultural events and services, hosting training activities and cultural productions, but also activities aimed at involving the local community (public library, area for young families and children, co-working space, etc.). It is a model activity at different levels, fulfilling the needs of the families, but also providing a reference point for visitors, students and researchers.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
A hub organising high-quality cultural events and services, hosting training activities and cultural productions, but also activities aimed at involving the local community (public library, area for young families and children, co-working space, etc.). It is a model activity at different levels, fulfilling the needs of the families, but also providing a reference point for visitors, students and researchers.
Type of resource : Smart Solution
