Between March and May 2020, the EU-funded 'Smart Rural 21 Project' received more than 700 applications from rural communities across Europe that want to become a Smart Village. In view of the large number of excellent applications, 16 Smart Villages were selected in a three-stage selection process instead of the 12 planned. This expansion was made possible by support from the National Rural Networks (NLR) in the four EU countries concerned. In addition to a number of evaluation criteria, the selection also takes into account thematic and geographical balance. A German Smart Village, Sollstedt in Thuringia, was also selected.
The total of 21 municipalities (together with the five pre-selected ones) will receive technical support in their further development within the project. All new Smart Villages will soon be presented on the project website. There you will also find further information for those municipalities that would like to take the opportunity and make their own development path towards the Smart Village as part of the 'Come Along' process parallel to the project. This additional option takes account of the great interest in the project. Applications can be submitted online until August 1, 2020.
The project website will be continuously updated with new information. In addition to a general presentation of the project and the Smart Village Portraits as well as country information, the 'Roadmap Toolbox' and the 'Smart Solutions' will over time collect approaches that can offer inspiration to other interested municipalities.
Contact person at IfLS: Sarah Peter (peter[at]ifls.de)
