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Czechia

This page contains specific information about the planning and implementation of smart villages in Czechia. 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.

Explore how smart villages are being implemented in Czechia.

You can also visit the page of the Smart Rural 21 selected village: Mukařov

Key CAP contact(s) :

Ministry of Agriculture (Ministerstvo zemědělství)
Website : http://eagri.cz/public/web/mze/venkov/

Support for Smart Villages under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

  • Within the future CAP Strategic Plan of Czechia, the concept of Smart Villages has not yet been enforced.
  • LEADER has strong potential in realising Smart Villages approaches. In the 2014-2020 programming period, LAGs has been supported through multi-funded Community-led Local Development (CLLD), i.e. support for Local Action Groups (LAGs) is extended to other European Structural and Investment Funds (including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF)). Operating costs and support for revitalising community-led local development strategies are covered through the Integrated Regional Operational Programme funded by the ERDF. LEADER LAGs are key actors in implementing smart solutions supported within both smaller settlements and larger regions by the ERDF.

Further information on CAP & smart villages :

CAP 2023 – 2027 working group ( 03/2021 ) - The Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic (Language : Czech)

Key NRN contact(s) :

Celostátní síť pro venkov (National Rural Network)
Key contact(s) :
Zuzana Dvořáková (Head of the National Rural Network and Technical Assistance Department)
Email : zuzana.dvorakova@mze.cz
Website : http://eagri.cz/public/web/mze/venkov/o-celostatni-siti-pro-venkov/

Activities of the National Rural Network (NRN) on smart villages

  • The National Rural Network is one of the key organisations supporting the smart countryside concept in the Czech Republic. In April 2019, a thematic working group was set upon this topic, initiated by LEADER LAGs. Among others the working group supports and finances, analyses/ studies, assessments, workshops, excursions, produces videos, publications and participates at various conferences and exchanges.
  • The working group’s activity is currently planned for two years, however, the activities might be extended beyond this period. The working group assists in the national discussion on setting the conditions and explore the feasibility of Smart Villages in Czechia (defining the scope of ‘smart countryside’) and facilitates the transfer of inspirational solutions from abroad.

Key contact(s) :

Smart Cities Working Group under the Government Council for Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Regional Development
Key contact(s) :
Zuzana Drhová ()
Email : zuzana.drhova@mmr.cz
Website : https://mmr.cz/cs/microsites/sc/smart-cities

Support provided through other national/ regional policies & initiatives

  • Several local smart strategies have been supported by the Ministry of Regional Development in the past years. Smart objectives and initiatives at the local level are supported in the framework of the Regional Development Strategy of the Czech Republic 2021+, in thematic areas such as addressing environmental problems, climate change adaptation, etc. (covering both smart rural and urban areas). Many of the programmes and funds that benefit Smart Cities projects (such as Interreg, Horizon 2020, LIFE Programme, etc.) could potentially also benefit smart rural communities.
  • The Ministry of Regional Development has prepared several documents dealing with smart concepts that are also relevant for rural communities / smart villages, such as the Smart Governance methodology and application; Methodology for the evaluation of sustainable Smart Cities; Handbook on energy measures for mayors; Smart City Guidance Package, etc.

Key ressources :

The Czech approach of supporting Smart Villages through various EU policies ( 27/11/2023 )

A presentation on the Czech National Smart Cities Strategy, along with some examples of relevant measures was given during the 2nd European Smart Villages Pilot Observatory meeting.


Key organisations & contacts

Key contact(s) :

Věra Karin PhDr. Brázová (Head of the Department of Urban Policy and Strategies, Department of Regional Development)
Email : Vera-Karin.Brazova@mmr.cz

The Working Group (established on 18 July 2016) complements the methodology, organises professional seminars, and promotes the implementation of the ‘smart cities’ concept. The members of this expert platform are representatives of relevant departments and institutions, representatives of the academic, non-profit and private sectors, of cities implementing the ‘smart cities’ concept, as well as ad hoc and experts.

Key activities :
  • Activity 1: teach municipalities and cities how to proceed correctly in the implementation of the ‘smart cities’ concept (‘smart cities’ methodology)
  • Activity 2: coordinate the activities of various leading experts and the public through meetings
  • Activity 3: lead a working group that determines current trends
  • Activity 4: offer overviews of project financing and support their implementation
  • Activity 5: organise workshops and professional conferences with the participation of important personalities


An interest association of legal entities, in the South Moravian region. The SMART JMK programme aims to develop a smart region of South Moravia by supporting municipalities in the implementation of smart solutions.

Key activities :
  • Activity 1: support the introduction of smart solutions and the use of innovative technologies in projects and activities of municipalities in the South Moravian region.
  • Activity 2: provide professional assistance for the implementation of smart solutions in the field of municipal property management, water management and transport in the municipalities of the South Moravian region.
  • Activity 3: assist in the preparation of a municipal project which is in the spirit of the concept of a smart community.
  • Activity 4: provide a list of examples of good practice to follow.


Key contact(s) :

Radim Sršeň Ph.D. (Second deputy chairman)
Email : radim.srsen@gmail.com

A non-governmental apolitical organisation with nationwide competence, which unites and defends the interests of municipalities and cities in the country. From a wide range of activities for the benefit of municipalities, the promotion of a fair distribution of tax revenues among municipalities and cities in Czechia (budget determination of taxes), is worth noting.

Key activities :

The agenda of the Association includes commenting on various legislative proposals, presenting and promoting the needs of smaller municipalities and cities, defending the interests of the countryside and its inhabitants, and cooperating in the fight against corruption in public administration.

Within eight working groups, the main priorities and objectives are:

Working group for rural services

·         Maintaining basic services in rural areas

·         Clear way of financing

·         Development support

·         Search for new models

Working group for strategic development

·         Support the introduction of innovations and new solutions in favour of sustainable development

Working group for public administration and services

·         Push for a comprehensive completion of public administration reform, in particular with regard to central government

·         Provide municipalities with legal and methodological assistance, including model solutions to specific situations

·         Support only such solutions for digitalisation, which will not worsen the performance of public administration in municipalities


Key contact(s) :

Oliva Miloslav (Head of the Working Group)
Email : oliva@posemberi.cz

The National Rural Development Network – an informal grouping of Local Action Groups – was established in November 2005 at the European Conference on Rural Areas held in Tepl. It operated under the auspices of the newly founded National Rural Observatory.

The National Network of Local Action Groups in the Czech Republic, a civic association, was the institutionalisation of this informal grouping in April 2007

Key activities :
  • Activity 1: to support the activities of Local Action Groups, to promote their cooperation and transfer of experience.
  • Activity 2: to improve the quality of life in rural areas through continuous and integrated local development.
  • Activity 3: to ensure reciprocal transfer of knowledge and experience among the individual members of the network and through the cooperation with the EU Member States and their LAGs.



Further key resources

Mukařov (CZ) at the European Week of Regions and Cities
Municipality of Mukařov ( 10/2021 )
A short video about Mukařov’s smart actions, overviewing the various activities the village is implementing.
Language : English

Youth engagement through the newly emerging Hangout4Teens Club
Veronika Zemenova - Municipality of Mukařov ( 18/10/2022 )
A presentation on Smart Rural 21 selected village Mukařov’s (Czechia) experience with youth engagement. The presentation was given in the workshop “How to keep young people busy, engaged and interested smartly?” at the Smart Rural 21 project’s Final Conference of 17-18 October 2022 in Sopot, Poland.
Language : English

Mukařov’s Smart Village journey
Kateřina Čadilová - Municipality of Mukařov ( 17/10/2022 )
A presentation on Mukařov’s smart journey, including how the village got engaged with the ‘Smart Village’ concept, and the ‘smart’ actions carried out and plans for the future. The presentation was given at the Smart Rural 21 project’s Final Conference of 17-18 October 2022 in Sopot, Poland.
Language : English

Czech Presidency conference: Innovative region – opportunities and challenges
Ministry of Regional Development of Czechia ( 11/11/2022 – 11/11/2022 )
During the Czech Presidency of the EU, an international conference on innovation was organised in Jesenik region. It focused on ways of overcoming social, economic, demographic and geographical exclusion through technological and social innovations. Key topics of the conference were: Smart Villages, Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas, Innovations, strategic and evidence-based approach to regional development using tools such as Territorial Impact Assessment and Rural Proofing.  
Language : Czech, English

8th Smart Rural Café, Mukarov (Czechia)
Kateřina Čadilová , Veronika Zemenova - Municipality of Mukařov ( 03/02/2022 )
Kateřina Čadilová and Veronika Zemenova talk about the challenges and assets of being a suburban area of Prague, the village’s tailor-made website and communication system, the incentive waste management and the  “MY WASTE” application, their community centre as the meeting point of all generations, what is smart in the age of “distant life“ and more…
Language : English

Smart Village Strategy of Mukařov
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

Final Conference SMART Czechia
Union of Towns and Municipalities ( 2020 )
A recording of the final conference of the project ’Strategic Framework of the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic in the Smart City Area – SMART Czechia’, with the subheading “every drop forms the ocean”, of 21 February 2020

SMART Czechia: research projects with the theme of ’smart’
Union of Towns and Municipalities ( 2020 )
A document featuring a set of research and innovation projects related to the theme of ’smart’, which are implemented in Czechia. This extensive set includes both projects that can be an inspiration for cities and municipalities and whose results can contribute to the implementation of the ’smart’ concept, and projects – especially in the field of basic research – which serve as a basic overview of topics related to smart solutions in the Czech academic environment.
Language : Czech

SMART Czechia: examples of good practice
Union of Towns and Municipalities ( 2020 )
A document overviewing the achievements of smart solutions. The good practice examples are classified in six topics: 1) transport and mobility; 2) energy; 3) waste management, water management, environment; 4) self-government and community development; 5) services for society and support of community activities; and 6) public space. This collection of good practice examples was assembled in cooperation with municipalities, cities and regions throughout the country between July and December 2019. Municipalities and regions were contacted by the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic. Respondents filled in a form so that readers could get specific data on traffic, costs, etc., including direct contact.
Language : Czech

Smart City Department of the Municipal Office of Litoměřice City
Municipality of Litoměřice
A department of a municipal authority specifically dedicated to smart cities and facilitating smart solutions. Its main activities include:
  • Methodical coordination of the city’s development activities – ensuring synergies and increasing the efficiency of developed activities and reducing duplication.
  • Energy management of the city and its contributory organisations, regular evaluation of energy consumption owned by the city.
  • Geothermal project management and related activities.
  • Coordination of updating, monitoring and evaluation of the City Energy Plan, preparation and evaluation of the ‘Action Plan for Sustainable Energy and Climate Protection’.
Coordination of activities within national and international initiatives in the field of sustainable energy.

Language : Czech

Cities of the Future 2020
Dana Hradecká Bonafide ( 01/10/2020 )
A conference providing a discussion platform for representatives of cities and municipalities to talk about issues, exchange experience, and, jointly with relevant experts, seek solutions and answers to current needs for the successful management of cities and municipalities. The programme features both municipal managers and experts in areas such as mobility, infrastructure, energy, public space and sustainable development. The all-day lecture and discussion programme is divided into several thematic blocks. Additionally, the conference includes an expo zone intended as a practical presentation of solutions to individual areas.
Language : Czech

Strategic Framework of the Union of Towns and Municipalities in the Smart City Area
Rut Bízková Union of Towns and Municipalities
A project intended to develop a ‘Strategic Framework Smart City’ as a guide for representatives of municipalities and cities in the design and implementation of their local smart city strategies. The document is to be created in a participatory way with members participating in all phases, thus reflecting their experience, vision and needs. The aim of the project is to improve, streamline and optimise the functioning of public administration at the level of cities and municipalities in Czechia, by creating favourable methodological conditions for the introduction of the ‘smart city’ concept into the functioning of cities and municipalities.
Language : Czech

‘Smart Cities for the Future’ competition
Smart City Innovations Institut, z.ú.
The main goal is to promote specific projects and long-term strategies for holistic ‘smart city’ models. It is intended not only for cities, but also municipalities and regions that want to participate in sharing good practice in the use of procedures and trends in the long-term ‘smart city’ concept. The competition categories include:
  • long-term trends / strategies;
  • proactive influence of personalities on the ‘smart city / region environment’;
  • specific approaches for the ‘smart municipality’, ‘smart city’, ‘smart region’; and
  • planned project development ‘smart city / region’

Language : Czech, English

Smart municipalities, smart cities and smart regions
URBIS Smart City Fair ( 09/2020 )
A debate block of representatives of municipalities, cities and regions at the URBIS Smart City Fair, grouped in three expert debates on: smart communities; smart cities; and smart regions. Discussions address questions such as what to do, what to avoid and what would help small and large territorial units in the field of smart; what new technologies will help, what are the examples of ready-made smart solutions and what can be expected from the future?
Language : Czech

Analysis of the current involvement of Czechia in concepts of ‘smart city’ and ‘smart region’ in context of new trends, including proposals for action
Government Office Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies Mendel University Brno ( 2018 )
A project that mapped out the state and degree of involvement of individual regions, regional cities and former district towns falling within the concepts of ‘smart city’ and ‘smart region’, the process toward implementation, opinions on the need for support, and proposed relevant measures. The analysis contains methodological solution procedure, evaluation of the concept implementation process in the country and recommendations to support further implementation.
Language : Czech

Academy of the Hradec Králové Smart Region
Centre for Investment, Development and Innovation ( 03/2021 )
The academy provides full-time and online education about the management of the development of communities, support for businesses in the municipality, new trends in the community and its financing.
Language : Czech

Village of the Year competition
Miroslava Tichá Association for Rural Renewal , Ministry of Regional Development of Czechia , Union of Towns and Municipalities , Department of Agriculture ( 11/01/1995 )
This annual competition aims to encourage rural people to take an active part in the development of their countryside, publicise the diversity and variety of the implementation of village renewal programmes and draw the attention of the general public to the importance of the rural areas. The competition was first launched by the Association for Rural Renewal in 1995. A new evaluation criterion was introduced that recognises noteworthy smart solutions.
Language : Czech

„The potential of implementing the ’smart village’ concept in the Czech Republic”
Tomáš Vladyka ( 2021 )
A thesis focusing on the analysis and evaluation of the possibilities of smart solutions in the field of Czech agriculture in relation to human resources. The thesis is divided into several chapters that deal with regional development and its tools, the specifics of rural development and tools for its development. Furthermore, the terms ’countryside’ and ’smart village’ are defined and an analysis is done in relation to innovation and precision agriculture and an approximation of software functions. An integral part of the thesis is the introduction of several start-up companies, both in Czechia and abroad, which deal with both map software and individual smart technologies. One of the possibilities for financing smart technologies is the possibility of using subsidy titles from the instruments of regional policy and regional development.
Language : Czech

Smart governance methodology
( 07/2021 )
A publication examining the methodology of applying the ’smart governance’ approach to organisational and management structures of municipalities in Czechia.
Language : Czech

Webpage on smart villages
Czech National Rural Network ( 04/2019 – Ongoing )
The NRN has included smart rural areas in its priority topics since April 2019. Linked with other local development priorities, various events on the topic of ‘smart countryside’ have been held on an ongoing basis, aiming to increase awareness of smart solutions in the countryside and inspire other similar realisations.
Language : Czech

Presentations on ‘smart villages’ at regional events
Czech National Rural Network
A collection of presentations on ‘smart villages’ on smaller regional events organised within the seven regional branches of the network. Events are most often dedicated to education, sharing of know-how, discussions and transfer of experience.
Language : Czech

Presentations on ‘smart villages’ at national events
Czech National Rural Network
A collection of presentations on ‘smart villages’ in the form of lectures or a showcasing of examples and good practices both from Czechia and abroad (mainly from Europe), in cooperation with the ENRD Contact Point. Events include the Countryside Conference 2020, LEADERfest, Good Practice Fair of Smart Countryside and Sustainable Agriculture, Exchanges of know-how and experience between young people in the countryside, Excursion for Rural Development Programme projects, etc.
Language : Czech

Central Bohemian Region Smart Countryside Strategy
Central Bohemian Region Authority ( 2018 – 2020 )
A project whose main aim was the preparation of Central Bohemia’s Smart Countryside Strategy. The tools and procedures used during the preparation were based on the ‘Smart City/Region’ concept. The project defined parameters for the quality of life of the region’s citizens, which will be monitored and evaluated and will enable benchmarking to be carried out on a uniform basis. Project methodologies for data collection and evaluation, as well as the data itself, will enable the management and representatives of the region and municipalities to improve strategic decision-making.
Language : Czech

Good practice from Czechia’s smart regions
Smart region portal , Centre for Investment, Development and Innovation
A list of successful and inspiring smart solutions not only for cities and municipalities, but also for private entities on topics such as public administration and services, transport, public space and housing, environment, energy
Language : Czech

Kněžice – the first energy-independent municipality in Czechia
e15.cz ( 08/07/2017 )
An article about the Kněžice municipality, telling the story of how the village became a pioneer of sustainable energy management and won the ‘Social Innovation to Tackle Energy Poverty’ competition of innovators from Central and Eastern Europe. The village’s vision is to become fully energetically self-sufficient, it already produces heat and electricity itself, recycles waste, and supplies fertiliser to local farmers
Language : Czech

Roads to Smarter Countryside and Sustainable Agriculture
Czech National Rural Network ( 03/2020 )
A conference dedicated to exchanging experience and information on implementing the smart villages approach. Organised by the National Rural Network at the Regional Department of SAIF Hradec Králové
Language : Czech

Smart Village Strmilov – project document
City of Strmilov ( 01/2019 – 01/02/2019 )
Documentation for the ‘Smart solutions for small settlements’ project. The project was financed by the South Bohemian Region under the SMARTCITY programme.
Language : Czech

Smart Village Strmilov – ‘Smart solutions for small settlements’
City of Strmilov ( 01/2019 )
A project centred on identifying new and proven sustainable approaches to village life. The output is a set of initiatives intended as inspiration and example for other villages.
Language : Czech

Overview of available subsidies for smart solutions
Hradec Králové smart region platform
A list of subsidy opportunities searchable by keyword and grouped by topic, provided on the Hradec Králové smart region platform
Language : Czech

First meeting of thematic working group ‘smart countryside’
Czech National Rural Network ( 20/05/2019 )
The working group’s aims are to support the national discussion on the topic of ‘smart countryside’ and to improve the conditions for the implementation of this principle in rural areas. Furthermore, the transfer of know-how from abroad to Czechia is to be ensured.
Language : Czech

Smart villages: Revitalising Rural Services
European Network for Rural Development Contact Point (ENRD CP) , Czech National Rural Network ( 19/09/2018 )
A video produced by the ENRD Contact Point summarising what a ‘smart village’ represents from different perspectives. The National Rural Network collaborated in the preparation of the Czech subtitles.
Language : Czech, English

LAG education in the field of innovative solutions
National Network of Local Action Groups in Czechia , Regional associations of the national network LAG of the Central Bohemian Region ( 20/03/2019 – 21/03/2019 )
Presentations from the final conference on ‘smart countryside’ and solutions in Dolní Břežan. The project ‘Education of LAGs in the field of innovative solutions’, including four seminars and a final two-day conference, was implemented by the Regional Association of the National Network of Local Action Groups (LAGs) of Czechia.
Language : Czech

ENRD’s vision of the future of rural development – lecture within the LEADERfest conference
Czech National Rural Network ( 05/2019 )
At lecture within the LEADERfest conference, an ENRD Contact Point representative overviewed the content of the four latest ENRD reports on the topic. These include available options to introduce specific elements and activities of ‘smart countryside’ in the 2014-2020 programming period and the course of actions to be expected under the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020.
Language : Czech, English

EU Rural Review No. 26 – ‘Smart Villages: Revitalising Rural Services’
European Network for Rural Development Contact Point (ENRD CP) ( 2018 )
This issue of the EU Rural Review showcases rural communities across Europe taking the initiative to find practical solutions to challenges they face and seize new opportunities. It explores how digital and social innovation can be used in new, creative ways to improve basic services in rural areas. It further looks at national and regional approaches to creating an enabling environment, as well as how the Rural Development Programmes can catalyse rural service innovation. The translation in Czech and printing were financed under the Rural Development Programme, sub-measure 20.2 ‘Support for the establishment and operation of the National Rural Network’
Language : Czech

Smart countryside
National Network of Local Action Groups in Czechia , Association of Local Authorities of Czechia ( 2018 )
A leaflet describing the concept of a ‘smart countryside’ through graphics and showcasing the areas where the concept can be applied.
Language : Czech

We are learning to work together for the SMART countryside
National network for the countryside , Vysočina region LAG ( 22/10/2019 – 23/10/2019 )
An event dedicated to exchange of experience with smart solutions and approaches, sharing of information related to the implementation of community-led strategies and good and bad practices of the Community-led Local Development method.
Language : Czech

Smart Countryside workshop
National network for the countryside , LAG Vyhlídky , Regional associations of the national network LAG of the Central Bohemian Region ( 14/08/2018 – 15/08/2018 )
A two-day event targeted at representatives of Local Action Groups in the Central Bohemian Region, as important drivers of Rural Development policy implementation. The workshop introduced possibilities for Rural Development Programme and other EU funds to successfully implement projects and to inspire smart solutions in rural areas.
Language : Czech

Local Action Groups as an innovation broker
National Network of Local Action Groups in Czechia ( 2018 )
A presentation explaining what a ‘smart countryside’ is, defining the meaning of an ‘innovative broker’, and the added value of Local Action Groups in this respect.
Language : Czech

Summary Highlights of the Smart Village Strategy of Mukařov (Czechia)
Municipality of Mukařov ( 12/2020 )
The Summary Highlights of the Smart Village Strategy of Mukařov 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

Smart Village Strategy of Mukařov (Czechia)
Municipality of Mukařov ( 06/2020 )
The Smart Village Strategy of Mukařov 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

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