New Declaration for smarter rural areas
![](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/repository/picture/2018-17/smart-villages2_32127.jpg)
date: 25/04/2018
A new Declaration on ‘smart villages’ calls for innovative and inclusive use of digital technologies; strengthened knowledge and entrepreneurship; and complementary support under EU funding instruments to boost the development of rural economies across the EU.
The Declaration – under the heading ‘Smarter Future of the Rural Areas in EU’ – was signed at a dedicated event (13 April, 2018 – Bled, Slovenia), attended by European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan.
“Smart Villages are essentially about people – they are about rural communities taking the initiative to find practical solutions to challenges and make the most of new opportunities,” said Commissioner Hogan (read the full speech).