Resources
The Resources Database contains relevant Smart Villages resources (including analytical reports, case studies, strategies, webpages, presentations, etc.) identified and collected in the framework of the Smart Rural 21 project (2020-2022) and later in the framework of Smart Rural 27 project (2021-2023). Many of the resources were directly developed in the framework of the Smart Rural projects (for instance smart village strategies or presentations made at events), whereas others are external resources identified to be relevant for Smart Villages. The database is continuously being enhanced until the end of the Smart Rural 27 project, and users can search by country, type of policy, type of organisation, type of resource or free keyword search.
The chapter from the book Sustainable Development Goals Connectivity Dilemma explores the implementation of SDGs in smart cities, focusing on the key components beyond digital tools and examines the key components of smart cities to understand how SDGs can be effectively implemented at the city level.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
This paper reviews rural development policies, highlighting their significance. It includes data from extensive literature research and an online survey about current and future post-2020 rural development policies. The survey involved project partners from six EU Member States and eleven regions in the Alpine Space, covering a total of 114 policies, projects, programs, or actions. The paper provides key policy findings and future recommendations, aiming to guide future studies and inform policymakers at local, regional, national, and EU levels.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
The ‘Handbook of Territorial and Local Development Strategies’ offers guidance on creating and implementing these strategies in non-urban areas, targeting managing authorities, local strategy owners, and other stakeholders.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
The publication discusses the European Green Deal (EGD), a strategic initiative proposed by the European Commission in December 2019. It positions climate and environmental challenges as the central focus of the EU’s post-2020 growth strategy, marking a significant shift from previous approaches like the Europe 2020 strategy.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
The article outlines the Farm to Fork Strategy as a central component of the European Green Deal, focusing on reshaping food systems to achieve fairness, health, and environmental sustainability. It addresses the need for resilience against crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing sustainability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, and enhance biodiversity, while ensuring economic fairness and promoting food security and public health.
Language : English
Type of resource : Policy document
The document outlines the European Union’s strategy to increase greenhouse gas emissions reductions to 55% by 2030, emphasizing the feasibility and benefits of this ambitious goal for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and public health, while addressing challenges and promoting a just transition.
Language : English
Type of resource : Policy document
This document outlines the European Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to achieve climate neutrality, resource efficiency, and economic competitiveness by 2050. It highlights the urgent need to transition to a regenerative growth model, emphasizing the importance of reducing resource consumption, promoting circular material use, and leveraging digital technologies. The plan aims to create sustainable products and services, enhance business opportunities, and improve citizens’ quality of life while minimizing waste and fostering a global shift towards a circular economy
Language : English
Type of resource : Policy document
This document discusses the European Commission’s focus on improving energy efficiency in buildings to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, highlighting the significant energy consumption and emissions from buildings, the need for enhanced renovation rates, new policies for better energy performance, and initiatives to support these goals through financing, innovation, and strategic planning.
Language : English
Type of resource : Policy document
This communication outlines the European Green Deal for the European Union and its citizens, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to addressing the defining climate and environmental challenges of this generation, including global warming, biodiversity loss, and pollution of forests and oceans.
Language : English
Type of resource : Policy document
The communication outlines the European Commission’s strategic long-term vision for achieving a prosperous, modern, competitive, and climate-neutral economy by 2050, detailing how Europe can lead this transition through investments in technological solutions, citizen empowerment, and coordinated actions across industrial policy, finance, and research, while ensuring social fairness for a just transition.
Language : English
Type of resource : Policy document
Type of resource : Publication
This document shows that smart rural communities are already providing inspiring examples of how to address each of the challenges identified in the European Green Deal at local level.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
Guidebook on How to Become a Smart Village: in the context of the 1st Preparatory action – Smart rural areas in the 21st century (Smart Rural 21) aims to assist rural communities in Europe to develop and implement smart village strategies, drawing from the experiences and lessons learned during the Smart Rural 21 project.
Language : English
Type of resource : Guidelines
The article discusses the importance of integrating public policy into initiatives aimed at developing smart villages in the EU, emphasizing their role in addressing rural challenges and fostering resilience through innovative technologies and community-focused strategies.
Language : English
Type of resource : Article
The article systematically reviews existing research on blockchain technology applications for smart villages, aiming to enhance rural development sustainably by exploring current advancements and proposing future research directions.
Language : English
Type of resource : Article
The publication, “Assessment of the Diverse Values and Valuation of Nature,” conducted by IPBES, synthesizes global scientific and indigenous knowledge to explore varied human-nature relationships and proposes a comprehensive typology of nature’s values, aiming to inform evidence-based policy decisions worldwide.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
The United Nations Food System Summit independent Dialogue focused on promoting rural development through digitalization and innovation, aiming to enhance living conditions, economic opportunities, and sustainability in rural communities worldwide, aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Language : English
Type of resource : Event
The purpose of this Policy Brief is to identify shrinking rural regions and where they are located in Europe; explore key development challenges and opportunities; examine some policy responses using case study examples from shrinking rural regions; and present some emerging policy recommendations at European, national and sub-national levels.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
This paper provides a short introduction to the European Green Deal (EGD) and its relevance for rural areas and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It in particular considers the ways in which rural areas and agriculture, agri-food systems and other land uses (e.g. forestry) might contribute to the aims, objectives and targets of the EGD and its related strategies.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
This edition of the EU Rural Review builds on the outcomes of the ENRD work on the long-term Vision and explores the future of Europe’s rural areas through digital, environmental, social, and resilience perspectives, featuring expert insights and proposed strategies derived from interactive workshops focused on a long-term rural vision.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
‘Time for Collective Action Manifesto” on the Communities for Future website presents a manifesto outlining 10 theses for transformative community-led local development. This initiative aims to mobilize communities towards sustainable and resilient futures through collective action, emphasizing principles such as equity, solidarity, and ecological stewardship.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
Document outlining ECOLISE’s consultation process with members and partners on 10 theses for transformative community-led local development, aiming to foster dialogue and reach a consensus on policies for transformative local development, involving approximately 100 participants from about 50 organizations.
Language : English
Type of resource : Policy document
A publication on the adoption of precision farming techniques highlights how the EU is boosting agricultural output while ensuring the sustainability of the European agri-food sector. Consequently, the EU has been supporting cutting-edge research and innovation into a variety of promising solutions, aiming to fully leverage the opportunities presented by what promises to be a 21st-century agricultural revolution.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
A publication on the Pilot Project on Smart Eco-Social Villages, initiated by the European Parliament, details its completion by a consortium consisting of Ecorys, Origin for Sustainability, and R.E.D. between January 2018 and April 2019. The conclusions of this project are crucial for the future application of the Smart Village concept in the EU. It provides a comprehensive review of opportunities and challenges, offering a robust knowledge base. The proposed definition clarifies the Smart Villages concept, while interactions with villages in 15 good practice examples and six case studies gather valuable grassroots insights.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication
The guidebook prepared within the framework of the Smart Rural 27 project aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the concept of Smart Villages, including its significance, funding opportunities, and examples of initiatives from Poland and abroad.
Language : Polish
Type of resource : Publication
The guidebook prepared within the framework of the Smart Rural 27 project aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the concept of Smart Villages, including its significance, funding opportunities, and examples of initiatives from Poland and abroad.
Language : English
Type of resource : Publication