EU Rural Pact workshop outlines key challenges and strategies for revitalising Slovakia’s countryside
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Prosperous rural areas
- Connected rural areas
- Resilient rural areas
A recent Rural Forum in Žilina, Slovakia, under the headline ‘Smart Rural Communities in the Digital Era’ provided a platform to discuss the country’s involvement in the Rural Pact and necessary steps to address challenges faced by rural communities. It highlighted digitalisation and Smart Villages as critical components for bridging the rural-urban divide.
Image by RolfSt on Canva
The Slovak Rural Forum, 25 October 2024, revealed a range of urgent priorities driven by a shared vision for attractive, sustainable, and resilient Slovak rural areas by 2040. Slovakia’s participation in the Pact includes a focus on integrating digital solutions to enhance the quality of life and economic potential in rural areas.
The country is facing the challenge of fragmented efforts across various ministries, each addressing different facets of rural policy – agriculture, regional development, education, environment and digital transformation – without cohesive coordination. The absence of a cross-sectoral strategy impedes the effective implementation of digital and smart rural concepts which are vital for Slovakia’s rural revitalisation goals.
The Rural Forum underscored the transformative potential of digitalisation in rural Slovakia and concluded with a strong call for interdisciplinary collaboration among state agencies, local governments, and community organisations. By aligning digital infrastructure investments with local development goals and ensuring cohesive policy efforts across ministries, Slovakia could move towards its vision of smart, resilient rural communities by 2040.
Integrating digital solutions within a structured, multi-sectoral framework would not only address existing disparities but also foster sustainable rural economies and improve quality of life. The initiatives discussed would ensure Slovakia’s rural areas can thrive as vital contributors to the nation’s prosperity and cultural heritage.
The event brought together over 100 public sector leaders, rural development experts, and community representatives.
Author: Slovak Rural Parliament