What can be done to make Smart Villages happen?
The final conference of the Smart Rural 27 project of 19 March 2024 discussed support mechanisms for effective Smart Village implementation in the future. The wealth of knowledge collected throughout the project's lifespan, including analytical work on CAP and other policies, and lessons from the Pilot European Smart Villages Observatory provided the basis for reflection.
The conference stressed the importance of capacity building and enhancing communication on funding opportunities for rural municipalities. It called for streamlining access to funding mechanisms under and beyond the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – such as regional and social funds – as called for under the Rural Pact.
The project’s analytical work on the CAP Strategic Plans revealed cooperation and investment interventions dedicated to Smart Villages in seven EU Member States – Austria, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Spain (Galicia) – highlighting a Finnish example of a specific Smart Villages measure as a tool for remote area development. LEADER interventions programmed to support Smart Villages were identified in 18 Member States, with varying levels of support across countries.
The conference concluded with a reflection on the future implementation of Smart Villages, underlining the need for synergies, streamlined funding mechanisms, and strengthened community capacities.
Discover the latest Rural Pact resources on Smart Villages.