“Smart Villages are communities in rural areas that use innovative solutions to improve their resilience, building on local strengths and opportunities. They rely on a participatory approach to develop and implement their strategy to improve their economic, social and/ or environmental conditions, in particular by mobilizing solutions offered by digital technologies”.
The term ‘Smart Villages’ refers to rural communities that build on and enhance existing strengths and assets through creative solutions, embracing innovation to create attractive and sustainable places in which to live and work. A Smart Village approach will see individuals and community groups come together to overcome local challenges by exploring new ways of doing things and implementing practical and tangible solutions. Both the embracing of new technologies and the exploration of low-tech social engagement and innovation are equally paramount to the creation of a Smart Village.
The following key features are identified as integral to the Smart Village concept:
The participation of rural communities in informing and delivering new solutions.
Strengthening the economic, social and environmental resilience of rural communities.
The implementation of new technologies and digital services to address the needs of rural communities.
Overall, the Smart Villages concept aims to improve the capacity of local communities to utilise new technologies and social solutions to empower them in addressing challenges and shaping their future. The design and delivery of Smart Village measures in Europe is supported under LEADER, the EU’s initiative to support rural development projects across the member states.
