Smart village corner
- CAP Implementation
- CAP Strategic Plans
- LEADER
- Long-term Vision for Rural Areas
- Networking
- Rural Development
- Smart Villages
This article presents the preparation and implementation of smart village approaches in LEADER interventions during 2023-27.
In this series we will be presenting the preparation and implementation of smart village approaches in LEADER interventions during 2023-27.
From a policy concept to reality: how to deliver smart villages in LEADER through CAP Strategic Plans?
What is a smart village concept?
The term 'smart village' is a policy concept developed at the EU level, which now is about to be tested for the first time in the CAP Strategic Plans. Many member states explicitly plan to include smart village initiatives under LEADER intervention (for example AT, BE-Flanders, CY, CZ, EE, EL, FI, IE, IT, HU, HR, SE, LV, LU, PL, RO, SI). Some CSPs explicitly plan smart villages by recognising the vital role that LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) can plan for the emergence of smart villages. In other CSPs there are vague references without an explicit mention, but leave freedom for LAGs to pick it up.
With no legal definition at the EU level, member states have a lot of flexibility and can fill the concept with their own realities. However, there are a few key common features behind the smart village concept based on the EU definition of Smart Villages developed by the Pilot Project on Smart Eco-social villages, such as:
- Place based – it concerns a clearly delimitated local area (typically a village, a small rural town, one or more municipalities).
- Participatory – local population is widely engaged.
- Innovative – seeks new solutions to local needs, using digital technologies where appropriate.
- Respond to one or more local needs in terms of economic resilience, quality of life, environment and climate change and/or social inclusion.
- Strategy – shows the key challenges and assets, a mix of actions and incentivises cooperation between local stakeholders.
Smart Villages are communities in rural areas that develop smart solutions to deal with challenges in their local context. They build on existing local strengths and opportunities to engage in a process of sustainable development of their territories. They rely on a participatory approach to develop and implement their strategies to improve their economic, social and environmental conditions, in particular by promoting innovation and mobilising solutions offered by digital technologies. Smart Villages benefit from cooperation and alliances with other communities and actors in rural and urban areas. The initiation and the implementation of Smart Village strategies may build on existing initiatives and can be funded by a variety of public and private sources.
Source: Pilot Project on Smart Eco-Social Villages
A smart village strategy or a smart village project?
The answer is: a smart village strategy!
Smart village strategy is an important tool that has to be ‘translated into the language of the community' and concrete actions, and should never become an administrative burden.
But what is a strategy and how does it differ from a single project? Here Member States have flexibility to respond. Clearly a strategy is more than a single project. A strategy can be a 'concept' (e.g. in PL) or 'an initiative' (e.g. in LV) demonstrating participatory approach, innovation and a mix of actions and cooperation of actors to deal with social, economic or/and environmental challenges.
ViedaisCiems 2023: Latvia to promote a smart village label
Latvia uses a smart village concept as a sign of recognition and pride. Latvian rural forum promotes a common understanding of the concept and organises yearly competition for villages (Viedais Ciems) to get a label. Eighteen villages got the prestigious label so far and the forum hopes for more. The competition is not an end in itself – the forum is a platform for exchange of ideas and cooperation.
Austria to show a simple, yet strategic approach in Styria to bring life to empty buildings in village centres
The smart village strategy can actually be simple.
M. Fisher from Smart Rural 27 project shows an example of Styria about how to start to bring life to empty buildings in village centres. The beginning of a simple, yet practical strategy could be as follows:
Property owners moved to the outskirts and as a result there are several empty buildings in the village X. The local community started to reflect how to use them smartly. People like the idea of organising childcare facilities there. New dynamic is expected to boost local demand in the centre (eg. catering for children, parents bringing children) so local suppliers can also be mobilised.
For more information: LEADER Platform - Smart Rural 27