The Smart Villages project is an operational initiative of the macro-regional strategy for the Alpine space, EUSALP. The project runs from 2018 to 2021 and is funded by the Interreg Alpine Space Programme. The policy recommendations resulting from this project are therefore a major contribution to the implementation of EUSALP.
- 29 March 2021
The draft recommendations were developed in autumn 2020 by the project consortium. And discussed at the international Smart Villages policy conference on 10 November 2020 with 150 participants from across Europe. They will be integrated into the policy cycle of the macro-regional strategy for the Alpine region and will be made available to policy makers, the European Commission, management authorities, etc. in the Alpine region and outside, like the other macro-regional strategies.
The Smart-villages approach is important to make mountain villages and rural areas more attractive and dynamic. The Smart-villages dynamic helps these villages to make use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation and to overcome natural handicaps related to distance. With the Smart-villages approach, communities can contribute to the European Green Deal and master their transformation in a meaningful way. Finally, the study around the Covid-19 crisis showed that smart villages are much more resilient to such crises.
These policy recommendations are addressed to all institutional levels, from the European to the macro-regional to the national, regional and local levels. Where appropriate, the relevant level is directly addressed and good practices are given as examples.
R1: Consider smart transformation of mountain, rural and peripheral areas and villages as a priority
R2: Integrate the notion of Smart villages in existing and future strategies and policies
R3: Allocate funding to integrated approaches such as Smart villages
R4: Allow room for innovation and experimentation
R5: Encourage networking and exchange of experience around the Smart village approach in relation to urban areas
R6: Use the potential of the Smart village approach to communicate on the innovation and attractiveness of rural and mountain areas and to link rural and urban areas
R7: Develop digital infrastructure and associated skills in line with technological needs and opportunities.
More information :
Final project event on 29 April 2021 (online)