Guidebook on How to

Become a Smart Village

Smart Rural 21
(First Preparatory Action on Smart
Rural Areas in the 21st Century)
 Guidebook on How to Become a Smart Village

Smart Rural 21: First Preparatory Action

on Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century

Table of Contents
FOREWORD................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. WHAT IS A SMART VILLAGE?................................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 WHAT IS A VILLAGE?.............................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2 WHAT IS SMART?................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 HOW THE SMART VILLAGES CONCEPT IS DIFFERENT FROM LEADER/CLLD........................................................... 6
2. HOW TO DEVELOP A SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY.................................................................................................... 7
2.1 WHY IS A SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY NEEDED AT ALL?......................................................................................... 7
2.2 WHAT SHOULD BE THE KEY COMPONENTS OF A SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY?..................................................... 9
2.3 HOW CAN A SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY BE FUNDED?........................................................................................ 11
3. HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY & DEVELOP SMART SOLUTIONS................................................................. 12
3.1 WHAT IS A SMART SOLUTION?............................................................................................................................ 12
3.2 HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SMART SOLUTIONS?.................................................................................................. 13
3.3 HOW TO ENGAGE LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION OF SOLUTIONS............................... 17
4. CONCLUDING WORDS........................................................................................................................................... 20

Author: Edina Ocsko (E40 Group)

Graphic design: Veneta Paneva (E40 Communications)
Front cover photo: Windmills, Stanz, Austria, ©Karoline Karner
Back cover photo: Ost-Oya, Tomaszyn, Poland, ©Jakub Mikołajuk, Ostoja Natury

This publication has been produced under a contract with the European Commission. The opinions expressed in it are those of the contractor
only and do not represent those of the contracting authority’s official position.

Project consortium: E40 Group, IfLS, empirica, Innovatiesteunpunt, Contract Reference Number: AGRI-2019-409
Agricultural University of Athens, eConcepts
Client: DG AGRI

Project led by: Funded by:

 FOREWORD

If you are a rural community that aspires to become ‘smarter’, or if you are supporting rural
communities to become ‘smarter’, this guidebook is for you. This guidebook is also for you if you just
want to understand a bit more about what the Smart Villages concept is: what is meant by ‘smart’
and what is meant by ‘village’. The guidebook is the result of two years of intensive work with rural
communities across Europe in the framework of the First Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in
the 21 st Century project, known as Smart Rural 21. 1 The project provided support for rural communities
across Europe to develop and implement their smart village strategies in an experimental way,
and draw conclusions and recommendations from the process. Twenty-one rural communities –
with diverse characteristics – were selected to receive support for their strategy development and
implementation through the Smart Rural 21 project. Due to rural communities’ strong interest in
taking part, the project also engaged more than 100 other rural communities (called Come Along!
villages) through various village-to-village exchanges and capacity-building actions.
The project and this guidebook share the same guiding principle: they are for rural communities.
Smart Rural 21 worked with communities from the start, focusing on their needs, from strategy
development to the implementation of smart solutions. This publication builds on the experience
of working with those communities, showcasing their feedback, challenges and achievements along
the way. This guidebook is a way for us to share the experience accumulated through the project and
make it accessible - and beneficial - to a wide, interested audience.
This guide does not aim to provide a fully comprehensive toolkit for embarking on the journey of
becoming a ‘smart village’. It rather aims to provide a framework, highlight the main lessons, and pinpoint the
right sources and resources for interested communities. If you would like to start your own Smart Villages
Journey, you will need to dig deeper into the available resources and adapt the Smart Villages toolkit to your
own needs. We hope this guide provides the first stepping stones on your journey!
Edina Ocsko (Project Coordinator) on behalf of the Smart Rural 21 Team

1 A 2.5-year project funded by the European Commission (DG AGRI) and led by E40 Group

1
Guidebook on How to Become a Smart Village

1. WHAT IS A SMART VILLAGE?

While many smart villages have been emerging about the new concept. Between 2018 and 2019,
during the past decades, the Smart Villages concept the Pilot Project on Smart Eco-Social Villages was
itself is relatively new. It was first officially formulated launched by the European Commission with the
through the EU Action for Smart Villages in 2017 by aim of providing a comprehensive definition for
the European Commission, at the initiative of the Smart Villages, as well as identifying relevant good
European Parliament. In the same year, the European practices and case studies. It is important to note
Network for Rural Development (ENRD) Contact that each Member State can have its own definition
Point launched its Thematic Working Group on Smart of Smart Villages, adapted to the national context.2
Villages to facilitate exchange among stakeholders

The Smart Villages definition (as adopted their economic, social and environmental conditions,
by the Pilot Project on Smart Eco-Social in particular by promoting innovation and mobilising
Villages) states that: Smart Villages are communities solutions offered by digital technologies. Smart
in rural areas that develop smart solutions to deal Villages benefit from cooperation and alliances with
with challenges in their local context. They build on other communities and actors in rural and urban areas.
existing local strengths and opportunities to engage The initiation and the implementation of Smart Village
in a process of sustainable development of their strategies may build on existing initiatives and can
territories. They rely on a participatory approach to be funded by a variety of public and private sources.
develop and implement their strategies to improve

The First Preparatory Action on Smart Rural Areas in 27 project was launched in 2020 and runs until the
the 21st Century – Smart Rural 21 project (December end of 2023. The project aims to assist effective Smart
2019 – November 2022) aimed to translate the Villages support frameworks across Europe, through
definition into a real-life context by supporting villages analytical work and sharing of information (both about
across Europe in developing and implementing smart smart rural communities and Smart Villages support),
village strategies. The Second Preparatory Action on as well as setting up a Pilot Smart Villages Observatory.
Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century – Smart Rural

HISTORY OF THE EU’S SMART VILLAGES CONCEPT

2017 2017 2017-2019 2019-2022 2020-2023

EU Action ENRD Thematic Pilot Study on First Preparatory Action Second Preparatory Action
for Smart Work on Smart Smart Eco-social for Smart Rural Areas in for Smart Rural Areas in
Villages Villages Villages the 21st Century the 21st Century

Smart Villages is an attractive concept, but challenging that often come up in relation to Smart Villages are
when it comes to the precise interpretation and ‘what is smart?’ and ‘what is a village?’. Let’s start with
implementation of the definition. Two basic questions the latter.

2 See also the Member State factsheets for national definitions.

2
 First Preparatory Action on
Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century

1.1 WHAT IS A VILLAGE?

The definition refers to communities in rural areas. located matters (e.g. is it remote or close to urban
This is a more neutral term than ‘village’, which might centres?). Generally, there are no specific limitations
be limiting in some cases and/or unsuitable to describe or restrictions, with selected Smart Rural 21 villages3
rural communities in a given national context. In this showing great diversity (see graphs below). The largest
guidebook, the term ‘rural communities’ is used rather rural community among the selected Smart Rural 21
than ‘villages’. However, Smart Villages (capitalised) is villages is Mouans-Sartoux (FR) with some 10 000
used to refer to the concept itself. inhabitants; the smallest is Ostana (IT), located in an
alpine mountainous area, with about 50 permanent
One question often asked is how big or small a
inhabitants.
community under the Smart Villages concept
can be, and whether the type of area in which it is

Number of selected Smart Rural 21 villages by population ranges

8

0
<500 500-1000 1000-1500 1500-3000 3000-5000 5000-10000 >10000

Number of selected Smart Rural 21 villages by type of area

10
8
6
4
2
0
Mountains Inner Islands or coastal Outermost or border

The Smart Villages definition used in the Smart Eco- ‘city’. In the Smart Villages context, it is meaningful
Social Villages Pilot Report suggests considering to consider municipalities (or rural communities
the OECD or EUROSTAT rural typology of areas within the municipality area) that are classified as
when defining rural communities. The typology ‘rural areas’, and in some cases ‘towns and suburbs’.
categorises municipalities into ‘rural’, ‘town/suburb’ or

3 Within the Smart Rural 21 project, 21 villages have been selected to receive support through the project for smart village strategy
development and implementation of smart solutions.

3
 Local Administrative Units (LAUs) are used
to divide up the territory of the EU to provide
statistics at a local level. Not all countries classify
their locally governed areas in the same way and
LAUs may refer to a range of different administrative
units, including municipalities, communes, parishes
or wards.
Smart villages operate at different administrative
levels, for instance most of the Smart Rural 21 villages
are classified as LAU2 or a lower administrative level,
and some are LAU2 with several smaller settlements
or several interconnected LAU2s. LAU2 areas are
classified according to their Degree of Urbanisation
(DEGURBA) – cities, towns or suburbs and rural areas –
most communities being ‘rural’ (see map).
Check the typology and statistics of your own
LAU2 area.

Administrative boundaries: ©EuroGeographics ©UN-FAO ©Turks
Cartography : Eurostat – GISCO, 05/2018
Cities (Densely populated areas: at least 50% of the population lives in urban centres)

Towns and suburbs (Intermediate density areas: less than 50% of the population lives in rural grid cells and less than 50% of the population lives in
urban centres)
Rural areas (Thinly populated areas: more than 50% of the population lives in rural grid cells)
Data not available

1.2 WHAT IS SMART?

Innovation is one of the most important features of Saying that ‘smart =
The Smart Rural
Smart Villages. Generally, innovation is triggered by digital’, might seem logo ‘half bulb – half
the need and drive to change something, to address a to provide an easy location’ sign has meant to
specific challenge. reference point symbolise that innovation
(‘criterion’) to decide in Smart Villages always
Although various ‘innovation’ definitions exist in the
whether or not an needs to be considered in
rural development context,4 innovation does not have
action is ‘smart’. the local context.
a clear definition in the context of Smart Villages. This
Everybody agrees
is not surprising as innovation is really hard to define in
that digitalisation is something that can no longer be
a territorial context. The challenge lies in the fact that
ignored and to survive in the 21st century, it is important
whether a solution is innovative very much depends
to at least try to keep up with the pace of digital
on the specific context in which it is implemented.
innovation, and use the wide array of opportunities
In other words, something that has been common
it offers.
practice in one local community, might be completely
new in another. Therefore, innovation always needs However, the question is not this simple.
to be seen in its own, local context. How villages can
identify relevant Why? Because you might start using digital technology
“If you don’t feel that you have innovations without it having a real impact on the local community,
a challenge, I’m sorry to say, you
is discussed and Smart Villages – at the end of the day – is all about
will innovate nothing.”
further in the local people. Smart in this sense means using
Professor Henrique Leitão, Agri section 3.2. innovative solutions, including digital technology that
Innovation Summit (Lisbon), 2017 involve and benefit the local community.

4 For instance, according to the EIP-AGRI definition, innovation – in short – is: “an idea put into practice with success”.

4
There was a long debate on whether to limit ‘smart’ come up with different Smart Villages definitions
to ‘digital’ in the context of Smart Villages – similarly with a more digital focus.
to the approach followed by Smart Cities. Finally, the
consensus was that innovation should not simply be So before you embark on developing
limited to ‘digital’ issues. Firstly, for the many rural areas something ‘digital’ and trendy, always
suffering from the ‘digital divide’ (insufficient access consider why and for whom you are
to fast broadband), focusing on digital solutions alone doing it, and ask what (societal) change it
could further widen the gap between more advanced is likely to bring to the local community.
and lagging areas. Secondly, it has been stressed that
– based on past experience – digital technology is a Good examples of social innovation actions can be
key, but not necessarily the only way to become smart. found in the Smart Village of Raudanmaa (Finland).
The Pilot Project on Smart Eco-Social Villages argued The commitment of the village cooperative, and
that “Digitalisation is a tool but not an end in itself. engagement of
The usage of digital technologies is not what defines local community “We want to make our
village hall the heart
a Smart Village, nor is digital technology the only way members, in projects
of Raudanmaa, like the
to achieve development objectives. It is clear that such as the fibre- school was before.”
solutions also use a wide range of non-digital tools.” optic community
The ENRD’s Smart Villages Thematic Group came to broadband network, Heini Niklas-Salminen,
similar conclusions. the multifunctional Raudanmaa, 2021
village hub, and local
The EU’s Smart Villages definition states that Smart village services (including using digital technology)
Villages “use innovative solutions […], in particular can serve as inspiration for others. Meanwhile, Stanz
by mobilising solutions offered by digital im Mürztal in Austria enables new opportunities for
technologies”. “In particular” means that digital social innovation through involvement in energy
technologies provide important, but not exclusive, transition and digitalisation, using blockchain
ways to become smart. It is also worth noting, technology combined with a local token system.
however, that some Member States might have

‘Social innovation’ has been just as an important and technical solutions and requires social
feature of Smart Villages as digital/technological change, new social practices, social ownership
innovation. The participatory approach and the or market uptake”.
impact of smart solutions on rural society is a key
Some Smart Rural 21 villages aspired to develop smart
requirement for Smart Villages. When innovative
digital solutions. However, in some communities
solutions impact on the local society and/or when
the initial idea had to be carefully re-thought. This
new participatory processes (social practices) are
is particularly the case for e-health and e-care
generated in a community, we talk about ‘social
solutions, especially for elderly people. Developing
innovations’.
smart e-health applications is not necessarily
For instance, the Horizon 2020 SIMRA (Social the right and only innovative way of solving the
Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas) project challenges for caring of elderly people. Careful prior
defines social innovation as “the reconfiguring of planning and capacity building are necessary before
social practices, in response to societal challenges, decisions can be made on whether e-health tools
which seeks to enhance outcomes on societal well- are worth investing in. The Smart Rural 21 project
being and necessarily includes the engagement of has developed such a planning process with three of
civil society actors”. The Horizon Europe programme the project villages – Dingle (IE), Sollstedt (DE) and
(the EU’s Research & Innovation programme) Penela (PT) – the outcomes of which you can explore
suggests that “social innovation is recommended on the relevant village pages.
when the solution is at the interface between social

5
 TIPS & TRICKS: HOW TO START INNOVATION?

√ Innovation always needs to start from a need – an urge to address a specific challenge in the local
community/rural area. Think about the specific problems and challenges that your community needs to
address.

√ Finding the right innovation needs a lot of exploration, talking to specialists, researchers and other villages.

√ Innovation most often emerges through interaction among local people, i.e. the solutions can not always
be found elsewhere.

√ Innovation needs a lot of experimentation and might – by definition – involve failure in some cases.

1.3 HOW THE SMART VILLAGES CONCEPT IS DIFFERENT

FROM LEADER/CLLD
Smart Villages is most often compared to LEADER/ “- Were there any innovations where you failed?
Community-Led Local Development (CLLD).
Undoubtedly, LEADER has many similarities to Smart - Many times! For instance, to find a producer for
Villages, especially as far as the key principles of the oya,* there were three failures. Getting oya ready
two instruments are concerned. LEADER/CLLD will took a year of struggle, but we knew what we
were going for so we finally found it…
also be a key instrument and funding source for future
smart village strategies and solutions (also see section Hemp production. From our point of view, it was
2.4 on how to finance smart solutions), and LEADER a failure. We had a great experience, we learned
Local Action Groups (LAGs) can often play the role of a lot, but from an economical point of view, we
‘innovation brokers’ and supporters of villages. For didn’t realise half of the price that we said. You
instance, the Dingle (IE) smart village strategy process will be mad with failures, many times! I hear ‘no’
many times and ‘no’ doesn’t sound special to
has been led by the local LAG (North East West Kerry
me. But once you are doing you’re true to it, you
Development Programme), while Raudanmaa (FI), open your heart a little bit, and build the trust,
Torup (DK), Kythera (EL) and other selected Smart Rural then the people will change their attitude.”
21 villages received both financial and technical support
for their Smart Villages processes from their LAGs. Piotr Ostaszewski, Tomaszyn (PL), Smart Café

However, there are also some key points that distinguish *See more about ‘oya’ in the box below.
the Smart Villages concept from other schemes:
• Smart Villages are about engaging local of funding sources should be made available,
communities – i.e. small, local-scale actions – such as Cohesion Policy funds, including the
and helping them to find their way to address European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
challenges and seize opportunities in the 21st and the European Social Fund (ESF); as well as
century. LEADER/CLLD operates at a higher the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), or the
geographical and administrative level. LEADER European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture
LAG territories include a number of villages, and Fund (EMFAF).
Local Development Strategies are formulated
at a larger territorial level so therefore, cannot • Smart Villages reinforces local innovation
always take account of the specificities of local and experimentation, through smart solutions
communities. coming directly from the local communities,
with particular focus on the new challenges
• LEADER/CLLD has a dedicated institutional
and opportunities of the 21st century, such as
structure and allocated funding, while Smart
climate adapatation and digitilisation. In this
Villages do not yet have an institutional or
context, LEADER LAGs play or can play the role
dedicated policy structure. This is also an
of key enablers of innovation, by supporting the
advantage in the sense that there is more scope
emergence of smart villages in their territories.
for experimentation and piloting, in particular
as far as using various funding sources are
concerned. Smart Villages should not be limited
to access LEADER funding, but a wide array
6
 A traditional and easy way to save water and improve plant
growth (innovation from Tomaszyn, Poland)

Ost-Oya (olla, oya) is a neo-antique vessel, made of porous, self-

permeable clay, which is buried in the ground to naturally irrigate the
garden while significantly reducing water loss and watering work. Just fill
your Ost-Oya with water every few days and the rest will do itself. How?

It’s simple, the roots of plants instinctively grow towards the porous
clay, which allows them to take in exactly as much water as they need and when they need it. No more, no
less. As a result, water consumption decreases, you care for the environment and your garden looks even
more impressive.

Source: [Link]

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION: THE SMART VILLAGES CONCEPT

Smart Villages: Concept, issues and prospects for EU Rural Areas, European Parliament’s Think Tank, 2021: a
comprehensive briefing about Smart Villages, key features, and evolution.
Pilot project, Smart eco-social villages: final report, Ecorys et al., 2019: Project funded by the European
Commission to define Smart Villages and identify best practices and case studies
Smart Villages: Revitalising rural areas, ENRD, 2018: Short video explaining the concept of Smart Villages
EU supports Smart Villages, EU Digital, 2017: short video explaining Smart Villages and its evolution

2. HOW TO DEVELOP A SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY

A smart village strategy is an innovative local through innovative solutions. The first five steps of the
development strategy, concept or plan. It is conceived Smart Rural 21 Roadmap Tool cover the key actions
at the local level through a participatory approach. to set up a strategy: (1) getting started; (2) mapping
Smart village strategies offer a holistic long-term vision context and stakeholders; (3) engaging stakeholders;
for the rural community concerned, to be realised (4) designing a strategy; (5) smart village strategy.

2.1 WHY IS A SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY NEEDED AT ALL?

A smart village strategy is at the core of the Smart in a more holistic way (rather than just focusing on
Villages concept. According to the definition, Smart single initiatives). Developing a smart village strategy
Villages “rely on a participatory approach to develop might be a particularly useful next step in becoming
and implement their strategies to improve their a smart village for ‘villages-in-transition’, i.e. villages
economic, social and environmental conditions”. that already have some smart solutions but do not
yet have a comprehensive integrated smart village
But is a smart village strategy really needed for a strategy or longer-term vision.
village to become smart?
A smart village strategy can also be an effective tool
A strategy is relevant for structured and for communicating about the vision of a village,
longer-term thinking. But it is only useful as both internally, with community members, and
long at it helps a community to shape and externally, with different governance levels, such
share a common vision, think about where as LEADER LAGs, and regional or national bodies.
the village would like to be in the medium to long A comprehensive strategy – that is also linked to
term (i.e. in 5-10 years), and bring together existing priorities set at higher administrative levels – can also
initiatives and ideas. Strategies are important to link contribute to identifying funding sources for strategy
different initiatives and help the community to think implementation.
7
 It is important that smart village strategies “Although the village has several leading
are not just developed as formalities. A figures, there is no one that is able to
community should try to develop a strategy unite the representatives of the local
that is owned by the community, and that community.”
can evolve and provide a good reference point for
Smart Rural 21 monitoring finding
future-oriented discussions and actions. It is not
recommended
that a strategy emerge from such actions, experience shows that
“The main added value of
developing a strategy for us is developed often “the wind is soon taken out of the strategy’s sail”,
has been ‘to connect the dots’ only with the with no commitment or engagement to complete
between existing projects and purpose of the strategy implementation. Such strategies (or
new ideas and gather them accessing project proposals) might attract funding in the short
into a consistent strategy, to medium turn, but without real commitment and
financing
helping us set priorities and knowledge these approaches are destined to fail in
apply for external funding.” (although this
is certainly one the context of helping a rural community survive. So
Smart Rural 21 village of the potential don’t start the Smart Villages process just for the
representative, benefits). funding: do it out of convinction, and with local
survey respondent Think about engagement.
whether you
Although the format of smart village strategies
need a strategy and if so, how would you use it for the
might vary, certain key elements are recommended
development of your rural community and area.
to be included in every successful strategy (see
Smart village strategy development and below). Indeed, many Member States will require a
implementation cannot be treated as a one-person simplified concept or plan to avoid disproportionately
and/or consultancy project. Even if formally and overburdening villages.
content-wise, a seemingly attractive strategy might

Developing a smart village strategy was a

requirement for the Smart Rural 21 selected villages. How challenging did you find the Smart
Overall, most villages (10 out of 12 villages that Village Strategy development process?
responded to the survey) found that the strategy (12 respondents)
development process was useful or very useful. 50%
However, many also found the process 40%
challenging or very challenging. Some 30%
disappointment also comes from the fact that 20%
often there is no direct funding attached to the 10%
smart village strategies (i.e. it might feel that such a 0%
process is not rewarding). A bit Very Not really Not
challenging challenging challenging challenging at
all

8
 TIPS & TRICKS: WHY DEVELOP SMART VILLAGE STRATEGIES?

√ Developing a strategy is generally a useful way to help a community to consolidate its vision, plans and
future actions.

√ Developing a smart village strategy can also be resource intensive, and might require some technical/
specialist knowledge (e.g. in the context of building a logic, identifying solutions, engaging stakeholders,
etc.).

√ Since smart village strategies are often not directly associated with funding support, rural communities
need to carefully consider if they would like to develop a strategy, in what format and for what use. Efforts
should be proportionate to the potential benefits, not only financial, but also human – such as working
towards a joint vision of the community.

√ Other considerations, such as how the strategy will be updated, and who will be responsible for managing and
monitoring progress, also need to be considered (otherwise the strategy risks quickly becoming outdated).

√ Since policy interventions to support Smart Villages are still evolving, rural communities need to explore
if and how specific policies, programmes, and calls are designed to support smart village strategies and
actions in respective Member States and regions.

2.2 WHAT SHOULD BE THE KEY COMPONENTS OF A

SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY?
Smart village strategies are expected to have the the challenges and
“We avoid saying strategy,
elements of a ‘classical’ Local Development Strategy, opportunities) are because this word very
including future-looking innovative activities. defined, the strategy often has a negative
As described, innovation is most often triggered needs to set out what connotation, that it has
by a specific challenge and need. To address such kind of actions can to be something really
challenges, rural communities need to build on their be taken to get there, huge and complex. That’s
specific assets and opportunities. Understanding and what resources – why we decided to use a
these aspects can lead to defining the vision (and then financial and human different term: concept.”
the objectives) of the village strategy. Putting it simply, – would be required Joanna Gierulska, Polish
the community needs to think where it wants to be in to implement the Ministry of Agriculture, 1st
5-10 years. Once the vision and objectives (based on planned actions. Regional Workshop

9
Needs/challenges/weaknesses and opportunities/ Similarly, selected villages also identified key assets
strengths were identified in each of the smart village in their smart village strategies. These have also been
strategies developed by the 21 selected villages of classified according to keywords, and the chart below
the Smart Rural 21 project and classified according to shows the categories of assets indicated by more
keywords. The chart below shows the challenges that than four villages. Attractiveness and rich nature are
were identified by more than four selected villages. considered the most important assets, followed by
The most common challenges in the selected villages strong community, cultural heritage and tourism.
relate to:
• Depopulation, youth outmigration;
• Lack of services: facilities, transport, education,
housing and health.

Number of Smart Rural 21 villages that identified specific challenge

in their strategies
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Lack of access to (fast)

Limited other (e.g.

Low level of public

Limited health facilities
Ageing / youth

facilities / services

Lack of housing

Lack of access to
Transport connections

activity / diversification

Challenges linked to

Challenges linked to
Depopulation

Limited education
facilities/services
outmigration

water (quality)

engagement
entrepreneurial
sport etc.)

markets

broadband
nature
/ services
/ costs

Limited

Number of Smart Rural 21 villages that identified specific assets

in their strategies
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
participation/strong…

Entrepreneurial spirit
heritage/facilities

Accessibility/good
Strong tourism potential

Attractive living

Cooperation

Broadband infrastructure
Rich nature

Volunteer capacity

Specialist knowledge &

Attractiveness

Sustainability/renewable

Strong leadership
environment

transport
Cultural
Public

energy

skills

10
 2.3 HOW CAN A SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY BE FUNDED?
This is the “million-dollar - or rather, million-euro - The EU is committed to making Smart
question” that most rural communities are asking. Villages happen and is continuously
expressing this view, as well as pushing and
One of the main challenges is that often there is no
asking Member States to take action. There
guarantee that developing a smart village strategy
is indeed, a growing traction around Smart Villages. It is
improves a community’s chances of accessing funding.
an exciting phase of experimentation and piloting and
The exact details – i.e. what kind of calls for projects
there is hope that those who have been proactive in
and other mechanisms will support these processes –
making Smart Villages happen, might also be the first
are still to be
ones to be able to ‘queue for well-deserved funding’.
seen. Based
The Common Agricultural
Policy Regulation refers to on initial Several Member States are indeed not waiting for
Smart Villages as a key tool to a n a l y sis, things to happen but are taking the lead and starting
‘strengthen the socio-economic in many to experiment with meaningful support frameworks in
fabric of rural areas’ and to c o u n t r i e s , their national contexts.
‘modernise agriculture and rural the LEADER
areas by fostering and sharing m e c h a n i s m At the same time, the EU has largely delegated
of knowledge, innovation and will be used to responsibility for programme design and spending
digitalisation’. The CAP also support the of funding to Member States, giving them greater
encourages – and is expected to flexibility. There have been no strong requirements
development
support – cooperation of smart from the European Union towards the Member States
villages. (Recitals 32, 78 and 82 and of smart
on the design of the Smart Villages policy framework.
Article 77 of the CAP Regulation) v i l l a g e
However, the European Commission, in cooperation
strategies,
with the European Parliament, is funding several
a n d
technical assistance projects to support exchange
contribute to the implementation of planned smart
and the planning process, most importantly the
actions. However, other CAP interventions might also
Pilot Project on Smart Eco-Social Villages, and the
provide support for Smart Villages, as well as other
First (Smart Rural 21) and Second (Smart Rural 27)
policies and programmes. The latter include Interreg
Preparatory Actions on Smart Rural areas in the 21st
and other programmes funded under the ERDF5 (e.g.
Century.
for local territorial development, and infrastructural
investments), ESF6 (for social inclusion) and EMFAF7
supporting fisheries LAGs).

The Smart Rural 21 project has collected The Smart Rural 27 project will continue updating
information on what is happening in each Member Smart Villages information in each Member State.
State with regard to Smart Villages policy-support Information is being shared about Smart Villages
frameworks. You can check out what’s happening policy support through the Member State factsheets
in your country on the Smart Rural 21 country of the Smart Rural 27 project, and taskforces are
pages which show the relevant funding sources and being organised in selected countries to ensure
organisations working with the concept of Smart better policy and programme planning through
Villages (as far as these are known). The Smart Rural bringing together relevant stakeholders.
21 project also presents successful policy examples to
encourage policymakers to take action. The country
pages also provide information for communities on
the available funding sources in their countries.

5 European Regional Development Fund

6 European Social Fund
7 European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund

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 MORE INFORMATION: SMART VILLAGE STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT

Smart Village Strategy Template, Smart Rural 21 (E40): a strategy template, description on how to use the
template & tutorial video that have been used by the Smart Rural 21 villages to develop their strategies
Smart Village Strategies, Smart Rural 21: collection of the strategies developed by the Smart Rural 21 project villages
‘What’s happening in my country’ – Smart Rural 21 pages: description of how various policies (the Common
Agricultural Policy and others) and organisations are currently supporting Smart Villages and similar initiatives
in each EU Member State
Smart Rural 21 Roadmap: practical tools for strategy development
Smart Villages policies: information on various policy frameworks and tools at European and national/regional levels
Financing Smart Villages through crowdfunding: presentation at the 2nd Smart Village Academy of the Smart
Rural 21 project

3. HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY & DEVELOP

SMART SOLUTIONS
This section provides guidance on how to implement steps also provide further guidance for this process,
the strategy through planning and realising smart including: (1) planning actions; (2) finding solutions;
solutions. The relevant Smart Rural 21 roadmap (3) generating actions; (4) financing; (5) monitoring.

3.1 WHAT IS A SMART SOLUTION?

Smart solutions are innovative and inspiring
The European Commission launched the
activities (projects/ initiatives) through which the
Long-Term Rural Vision of the EU in 2021 that
smart village strategy objectives can be achieved. defines four key thematic areas of intervention
The meaning of ‘smartness’ and ‘innovation’ has called stronger, connected, resilient, prosperous.
already been presented above (see section 1.2). These areas capture the key priority domains in
which Smart Villages can also act.
Planned and actual actions of smart village strategies
are expected to respond in a creative – often out-of-the-
box – way to the challenges and opportunities of the implemented at the local community level. These
21st century. Two important challenges-opportunities solutions can also be transferred to other rural
receive particular attention in the strategic objectives of communities. Furthermore, the outcomes of the
the European Commission, and consequently also in the smart solutions supported in each of the selected
solutions of Smart Villages: Smart Rural 21 villages are also available online for
• Connectivity & use of digital technologies anyone wanting to discover smart rural solutions, as well
(linked to the ‘European fit for a digital age’ priority as the steps and processes used to implement them.
of the EU);
• Climate adaptation (linked to the ‘European
Green Deal’ priority of the EU).
These key areas are also at the heart of the EU’s Long-
Term Rural Vision (connected and resilient rural areas)
together with ‘stronger’ and ‘more prosperous’ rural areas.
As presented above, innovation and smartness are
context-specific and very much depend on the level
of development of the local community. However, the
Smart Rural 21 project aimed to provide inspiration
for all rural communities through its smart solutions
database that covers many thematic domains, and
highlights the most innovative aspects of initiatives

12
 3.2 HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SMART SOLUTIONS?
Smart Villages cover a wide range of themes and
topics. The right solutions have to be adapted to Percentage of Smart Rural 21 villages that
the specific context of each rural community and cover specific themes in their strategies
can cover a huge array of topics and themes. As an 30%
illustration, this graph presents the key thematic areas 25%
20%
indicated by the selected Smart Rural 21 villages. 15%
10%
5%
While villages are implementing a diverse set of smart 0%
solutions, some commonalities and ‘hot topics’ have

connectivity

Governance

Environment

Services
Living
Ecoomy

People
Mobility &
also been identified regarding the smart actions of the
Smart Rural 21 selected villages.

Can you identify any smart village

strategy themes that are relevant for
your village? Why not check the web
pages of the Smart Rural 21 participant
villages (including videos and presentations) and
get in touch with them directly to find out more?

Retirement village & (e)care: Is digital the

solution?
Caring for the elderly is a common challenge,
particularly when it comes to using smart solutions
offered by digital technologies, (e-)care. The questions
are whether it is worthwhile to invest in digital
technologies, and what investments and human
capacities need to be developed to make services
effective and sustainable. Key topic in Dingle (IE),
Penela-Cumeeira (PT), Sollstedt (DE)
Photo by Dominik Lange

Young people: How to engage?

Engaging youth in local activities, especially
teenagers has been a challenge in many rural
communities, including finding the right types
of socialising activities, and improving skills and
competences. Key topic in Mukarov (CZ), Alsunga (LV),
Ansó (ES)

Photo by Arno Senoner

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 Digital technology: How to use it for improving
local services?

Various Smart Villages are developing data and

information management tools, platforms and
apps with the purpose of better serving people in
rural community, as well as visitors, improving services
(including tourism) and connecting local people (social
innovation). Key topic in Torup (DK), Profondeville (BE-
Wallonia), Penela-Ferraria De São João (PT), Kythera
Photo by Myriam Jessier (EL), Alsunga (LV)

Reconstruction of old buildings: For what use and

how to make them sustainable?

Old school building to local farm & businesses

Old mill to local business & community hub
Old cellars to tourist accommodation
Eco-building to become a local agricultural hub and
community space

Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Landscape planning and reconstruction of old

buildings: How to preserve architectural, cultural
and environmental heritage?
(Re)construction of (old) buildings & landscape
planning are a key theme in several Smart Rural 21
selected villages. The main objectives are to: (1) make
use of old buildings or available plots for the benefit of
the local community; (2) find sustainable (eco-friendly)
solutions adapted to local environmental conditions;
and (3) develop financially sustainable business
Photo by Canva activities. Key topic in Ansó (ES), Sentviska Gora
Plateau (SI), Tomaszyn (PL), Uppony (HU), Raudanmaa
(FI), Virtsu (EE)

Sustainable/regenerative agriculture: How

to preserve the environment through new
agricultural methods & technologies?

New technologies (including smart agriculture)

and methods for a more resilient community and
environment (including regenerative agriculture)
constitute one of the main themes of Smart Villages, in
line with the EU’s Green Deal objectives. Key topic in:
Tomaszyn (PL), Kythera (EL), Babina Greda (HR)
Photo by Canva

14
 Renewable energy & local energy communities:
How to achieve energy independence?

Renewable energy, with particular focus on local

energy communities. In the context of Stanz (AT), this
method is also combined with a local digital currency
to support the local economy, with a token system and
blockchain technology. Key topic in: Stanz im Mürztal (AT)

Photo by Canva

Smart mobility solutions: How to ensure

transportation in remote rural areas?

Smart mobility solutions in remote and mountainous

rural areas, including e-cars and car-sharing, can
be designed to support particularly isolated and/or
remote communities. Key topic in: Ostana (IT)

Photo by Canva

These themes are fully aligned with the four suggested Smart Rural 21 villages find expertise they need
areas of action of the European Commission’s Long- through specialist village advisors, local specialist
Term Rural Vision: organisations (e.g. local universities, NGOs, etc.),
local boards or specialist bodies, specialist members of
(1) Stronger rural areas: caring for the elderly, the rural community and external experts.
engagement of young people, and using data
and data platforms to improve local services
(most Smart Rural 21 villages); source of innovation, the relevant expertise
(2) Resilient rural areas: sustainable landscape cannot always be found locally. The Smart
planning and (re)constructions, regenerative Rural 21 experience showed that villages often
agriculture, renewable energy community needed to bring specialist external expertise to
(Stanz, AT; Tomaszyn, PL; Penela, PT; turn their ideas into action. External expertise
Kythera, EL); can also provide ‘eye-openers’ and encourage
(3) Connected rural areas: smart mobility rural communities to consider solutions
and digital solutions (e.g. Profondeville, BE- that they might not have thought of before.
Wallonia and broadband connectivity in In this context, setting up a public-private-
Raudanmaa, FI). research-civic society partnership might be
(4) Prosperous rural areas: a cross-cutting theme beneficial (this is often referred to as ‘quadruple
including agricultural businesses (Tomaszyn, helix’ model – and has already been successfully
PL; Kythera, EL; Babina Greda, HR), tourism used in some rural areas8). For instance, Babina
(e.g. in Kythera, EL) and other rural businesses Greda (HR) and Kythera (EL) are closely working
(e.g. in Torup, DK and Raudanmaa, FI). with universities to provide local farmers with
Finding the right innovative solution to address a know-how on modern and sustainable production
specific challenge or realise a new opportunity might technologies, including precision agriculture.
take a lot of exploration and experimentation. There Profondeville (BE-Wallonia) aims to provide local
are several paths to identifying solutions: public authority staff with the right skills to identify
and use local (big) data by involving specialists.
• Specialist expertise is almost certainly needed.
While the local community is often the main

8 See for instance SECAD (Ireland)

15
 Avoid path-dependency, i.e. try to collected through the ENRD’s thematic work on
identify out-of-the-box solutions, be Smart Villages), or the EIP (European Innovation
open-minded and search for new ideas. Partnership) – AGRI database of operational group
projects. The Smart Rural 21 project has developed
• A smart solutions database can be useful to its own database providing detailed and practical
find inspiration and ideas from other villages. information about inspiring solutions that have
There are many different databases such as been implemented in rural communities. The
the projects database of the European Network database can be searched according to thematic
for Rural Development (including examples keywords.

The above is a printscreen of the Smart Rural 21 smart solutions database.

• Peer-to-peer exchange among villages, online with project support, organised back-to-back
and face-to-face, brings a lot of benefits to rural with the Smart Rural regional workshops
communities. There are many ways to identify or as stand-alone events. The Smart Village
and contact other relevant villages. The Smart Academy had a focus on villages’ thematic
Rural 21 project has largely promoted exchange needs - check out the material available online
among villages through smart rural morning and explore inspiring village solutions. Relevant
café sessions where one of the villages presented community networks can also help to create
their innovative approaches and others could links with other villages (including village-focused
informally ask questions and discuss specific networks such as the Smart Village Network).
initiatives, over a coffee. Additionally, cross-
visits enabled villages to learn from each other,

16
 Unfortunately, language is still an issue Some rural communities started to improve
for communities planning to engage with their language skills, motivated by their
other communities at an international level. participation in the Smart Rural 21 project. “With our
It is very important that someone in your colleagues we started to learn English as we feel it’s
community speaks English if you would like to engage one of our important weaknesses. Hearing others
with other communities in Europe and beyond. speaking good English inspires us.”

3.3 HOW TO ENGAGE LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE PLANNING &

IMPLEMENTATION OF SOLUTIONS
Engaging members of the community in
strategy planning and implementation Most Smart Rural 21 villages found the stakeholder
is important, not just because the engagement process during strategy development
“participatory approach” is a key “a bit challenging” (data based on 12 survey
component of the Smart Villages approach, but respondents).
mostly because without engagement and ownership
by the local people, the strategy will almost certainly How challenging did you find the stakeholder
not be implemented later on. engagement / participatory process in
developing your smart village strategy?
Stakeholder engagement is often a challenging 80%
process, particularly in larger communities and in
60%
areas characterised by extreme depopulation and/
or where the where the number of people in the 40%

community is very small. 20%

0%
There is not a single recipe for successfully engaging A bit Very Not too Not
stakeholders in a local community, as this depends challenging challenging challenging challenging at
greatly on the profile and level of activity of community all

members, local leadership and other factors.

Experienced village leaders have suggested that it The really successful communities are
is important that, in order to motivate community those that have vision, leadership and
members, ideas coming from community devotion from at least a few committed
members are listened to, taken up and people in the village. Starting the Smart
encouraged. Members of the community are tasked Villages process doesn’t necessarily take a large
with tangible work - especially if it is voluntary work number of people. Even one or two local people (in
(i.e. the strating & end points and outcomes should some cases called ‘yeast people’) can start to make a
be visible), and (small) rewards and recognition change if they are not doing it simply for the money,
are given to those who invest in community work. but for a ‘belief’ and vision. They need to have the right
interest, skills, commitment and capacity. Without
Specific tools on how to engage community leadership, ownership and a vision, it is not possible
members are available in the Smart Rural 21 to start a Smart Villages journey.
Roadmap Tool.
It is not necessary to be a formal governance structure
“Often people come to our village and – e.g. mayor and their team – to initiate or lead a smart
say, we would like to realise a project village strategy process. Indeed, diverse governance
and of course we host everybody with structures are represented in the context of the Smart
enthusiasm. But then it’s the people Rural 21 villages.
who actually have to do it. Sometimes
you get 50 people saying they want to The fact that there is strong commitment
do something in Ostana, but only 1 is from the European level and some Member
coming back. And then we start to see if States to support Smart Villages through
there is a space or possibility for them. multiple funding sources, gives hope for rural
And this way we build a lot of activities.” communities. Funding of innovative solutions in the
Enrica Alberti, local rural development context through a territorial
Ostana Village, Smart Café perspective, is so far – almost exclusively – happening
through LEADER/CLLD. LEADER/CLLD will certainly

17
 Youth engagement needs particular by a university student living in the village. In Alsunga
attention, and creativity and the right animators are (LV), engaging youth and improving their digital and
needed. Youth engagement is a key topic in a number programming skills (virtual reality) has been the
of the selected Smart Rural 21 villages. In Mukarov main focus. Ansó (ES) offers a good practice of how
(CZ), the main concern has been how to engage the children were engaged in consulting elderly people
younger generation in joint activities: a youth club about the future of the village.
(Hangout4Teens) was set up and has been animated

TIPS & TRICKS: YOU NEED TO START SOMEHWERE

Even in the Smart Rural 21 project, there have been by one or very few, committed people in particularly
various levels of success in gaining community disadvantaged areas, with very few local people to
support for the Smart Village process. The project engage. If you have the ideas and vision, don’t be
aimed to understand the real dynamics in a rural scared, you need to start somewhere.
community in order to be able to decide what
It is not a ‘failure’ when only one or very few
works and what does not work. In this context,
people initiate the process; failure is the lack of real
failure is also allowed. Don’t let yourselves be
commitment and vision from the person(s) that
misled (“all that glitters is not gold”) and look for
lead the process, where personal interest prevails
the real value.
over idea-sharing and common vision for the rural
At the same time, you always need to take into community and area.
account the specific capacities of a community. The
project has worked with inspiring communities led

remain the key source of funding for Smart Villages. funding opportunities out there. Preparing the right
However, LEADER/CLLD has a relatively small share application is a skill that can be learned with some
of the EU rural development funds, and more funds support – especially if you have the right ideas in mind
and policymakers are needed to support innovation and the right motivation.
in rural communities. Smart Villages can open up Besides public funding, rural communities often need
new doors, you just need to keep knocking. to “take their future in their own hands” and consider
alternative financing. Among others, private funding
Certainly, it is hard to navigate through
– sustainable business models – NGO/ foundations,
the jungle of EU funding, programmes,
crowdfunding, as well as the EU financial instruments
interventions and calls for proposals,
could be explored.
especially for a rural community with
limited resources. Many rural communities become Day two of the 2nd Smart Village
disillusioned if they are unsuccessful with applications Academy particularly focused
that normally require a lot of energy and resources, on accessing various sources –
particularly in a strict administrative environment. especially planning of crowdfunding
Consequently many just give up, thinking that they schemes – for rural communities.
have more important ‘real work’ to do. Getting involved
in EU-funded projects is not always easy, and rural
communities often need specialist support and advice
to identify the right calls, apply for funding
and comply with
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e The Smart Rural 21
and other project has provided specialist
r e q u i r e m e n t s . support to certain rural
It is hard to say communities to identify and
whether the apply for funding (such as Ansó
investment will in Spain, Ostana in Italy and Stanz
be worth it, but im Mürztal in Austria). You can
it is worth trying learn more about the experience
as there are of these villages thanks to the
Smart Rural 21 village roadmap.
many relevant

18
 The Smart Rural 21 project identified six leading figures & strong collaboration with local
governance models by analysing the Smart community
Village process in participanting rural communities. • Model 2C: Local professional/ individual or
Each model has its ‘pros & cons’. The six models are specialist organisation driving the process
as follows: • Mode 3: Self-organised local governance bodies
of local people
• Model 1A: Relatively dominant position of elected
mayor/deputy mayor and their team
The Smart Rural 21 villages are classified under the
• Model 1B: Elected mayors/ deputy mayors &
different models as presented below.
strong community engagement
Which model does your rural community fall
• Model 2A: Strong non-elected local leader(s)/
under?
leading figure(s) with dominant position
• Model 2B: Strong non-elected local leader(s)/

Governance models of selected villages

10

0
Model 1A Model 1B Model 2A Model 2B Model 2C Model 3

Funding sources for local rural community projects

Local Gov./Municipality Fund 36%

EU Fund EAFRD (CAP, RDP) 24%
LEADER (Local Action Group) 17%
Private 15%
National Fund 15%
EU Fund (unknown or other) 14%
Self-funded 13%
Regional (Gov) Fund/ROP 11%
EU Fund Cohesion Policy 9%
Foundation/NGO/Crowdfunding 9%
Other 8%
ETC-INTERREG-URBACT 4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

The Smart Rural 27 project carried out an analysis communities have almost exclusively had
in September 2021 covering a large sample of rural access to the Rural Development Programmes
community initatives, to understand how far EU, and and within that, LEADER/CLLD. This highlights
other, funding is accessible to rural communities. potential challenges in accessing various EU
funds at the level of local rural communities.
The analysis showed that most solutions are
implemented from local/ government, private Source: Presentation of Edina Ocsko, Coordinator of the
or national funds. Among the EU funds, local Smart Rural 27 project

19
 TIPS & TRICKS: FINANCING SMART SOLUTIONS

√ Finding a way through the jungle of various √ Rural communities can proactively act to
public calls for funding, understanding the identify the most relevant resources for their
conditions and applying is a real challenge. Policy own purposes, rather than focusing simply on
information on the Smart Rural 21 website gives what is available. A good starting point is to
a good starting point for identifying potential think about synergies between local goals
funding. You need to consider whether you and higher level objectives (e.g. those set
would like to embark on that road and if yes, you by LEADER Local Development Strategies or
might need specialist advice to do so. regional programmes and policies).

√ Going for public funding and calls is not √ In addition to national funding programmes,
necessarily the only way to obtain funding; other there are also cross-border/transnational project
alternatives can be considered, in particular opportunities, including LEADER transnational
sustainable business models and crowdfunding. cooperation, Interreg, Europe for Citizens,
Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe calls.
√ The most successful, ‘smartest’ rural
communities are not necessarily those that √ Beside Smart Rural 21, other European initiatives
are the most successful in applying for are also working to support villages and help
funding. Some communities develop the skills develop smart village strategies, and other
to be successful in accessing funding, but there initiatives. Among others, stakeholders might
is a danger of becoming too funding opportunity- be interested to follow the developments of the
driven, rather than smartly strategic. Smart Rural 27 project.

MORE INFORMATION: SMART SOLUTIONS & FINANCING

Smart Rural 21 Roadmap: practical tools for strategy implementation

Smart Rural 21 Smart Solutions database: smart solutions with implementation details
Smart Rural 21 village profiles & solutions: detailed information about the smart actions carried out by villages

4. CONCLUDING WORDS
In this short guidebook, we have tried to share with Smart Villages in the 2021-2027 programming period,
you the essence of the experience accumulated and the European Commission also continues
by the Smart Rural 21 project by working with rural to provide its support, not least with the Second
communities across Europe in 2020 and 2021. The Preparatory Action on Smart Rural Areas of the 21st
messages and resources are just starting points for a Century (Smart Rural 27 project). Come on board and
journey that each rural community has to take on its connect with other rural communities to share your
own. The hard work is for you, the members of rural Smart Village experiences!
communities that are facing so many challenges, but
hopefully also a multitude new opportunities.
The Smart Villages concept aims to provide valuable
resources for this journey. It is not yet a full-fledged
concept. Just like the smart and innovative solutions
it supports in rural communities, the Smart Villages
concept itself is an experimentation. Whether it
becomes successful
also depends on “The only way to transfer
all of us. You are information is emotion, and
not alone on this that’s very important. A rel-
journey. Several EU ative to emotion is passion.”
Member States are
Fritz Pichler,
actively supporting Mayor of Stanz

20