News | 27 Jan 2025

Smart Village initiatives and recommendations for future implementation: new report

Capacity building, technical assistance, awareness raising and animation activities related to Smart Villages are key, the final report of the Smart Rural 27 project highlights. The publication sets out recommendations to EU and national policymakers on developing public support schemes and improving future implementation.

Smart Villages

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The report highlights the need for clearer national guidance on Smart Village strategies and smart project requirements, with LEADER Local Action Groups to animate the process on the ground. It recommends strengthening synergies within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), between different governance levels (e.g. EU, national, regional, local) as well as between public and private sectors.  

Building on results of the ‘Smart eco-social villages’ and Smart Rural 21 projects, the publication calls for aligning Smart Village initiatives with the EU rural vision and Pact.

For more information, see the newly published Smart Rural 27 project reports on: