2. Objectives of the pilot project
To explore the characteristics, drivers and factors of success of smart eco-social villages in the EU in order to help the EU rural areas in current challenges and to improve their development.
To elaborate a clear definition of smart eco-social villages.
To focus on practical solutions to overcome challenges and to improve the situation in villages.
To present practical, successful best practices that could provide workable solutions for rural villages, using new and existing tools for promoting development.

3. Overview

4. Preliminary results

5. Theme 1

6. Development opportunities Current pressures
Broadband access
Environmental public goods and services
Diversification of the rural economy/Urban-rural linkages
Place-based and bottom-up approach
Current pressures
Demographic change
Inadequate basic services
Shortage of economic opportunities and lack of attractiveness
Vulnerability to climate change
Underdeveloped social capital
Policies related to ‘smart’ development
Regional development and cohesion policy
Digitisation
Smart farming
Social economy
Energy
Education
Tourism
Health …
Smart villages

7. Theme 2

8. What are smart villages?
Rural areas within a functional urban area: are an integral part of the commuting zone of the urban centres and their development is fully integrated with the urban areas;
Rural regions close to a functional urban area: are not part of the labour market of the city, but there are flows of goods, environmental services and other economic transactions between them.
Remote rural regions: are distant from urban areas, and their growth comes from absolute and comparative advantage, good connectivity to exports – generally outputs of primary activities, tourism, for example. 8 8

9. Pilot project: a working definition
Smart villages are communities in rural areas that use innovative solutions to improve their resilience, building on local strengths and opportunities. They rely on a participatory approach to develop and implement their strategy to improve their economic, social and environmental conditions, in particular by mobilizing solutions offered by digital technologies. Smart villages benefit from cooperation and alliances with other communities and actors in rural and urban areas. The initiation and the implementation of smart village strategies may build on existing initiatives and can be funded by a variety of public and private sources. 9 9

10. Pilot project: a working definition
Communities in rural areas can include one or several human settlements, without any restrictions regarding the administrative boundaries or the number of habitants. As regards eligibility conditions for support, Member States may use definitions of rural areas as provided for by the OECD, EUROSTAT or other definitions.
A participatory approach means an active participation of the local community in the drawing-up and decision-making regarding the smart village strategy. During the implementation phase, the participatory approach will ensure that the needs for capacity building and for training of people are properly addressed.
Digital technologies include for example information and communication technologies, the exploitation of big data or innovations related to the use of the Internet of Things (IoT). They act as a lever that enables smart villages to become more agile, make better use of their resources and improve the attractiveness of rural areas and the quality of life of rural residents. The use of digital technologies is not a precondition for becoming a Smart Village. Where possible, high-speed broadband will facilitate the deployment of the digital solutions.
The smart village strategies respond to the challenges and needs of their territory by building on their local strengths and assets. Strategies must determine short, medium and long term goals. Progress must be measurable through performance indicators that will be set in a roadmap. These roadmaps should be reviewed at regular intervals to allow continuous improvement. Strategies may aim, for example, to improve access to services (in various fields such as health, training or transport), to enhance business opportunities and create jobs, to the development of short food supply chains and farming practices, to the development of renewable energies, to development of a circular economy, to a better exploitation of natural resources, to adapt to climate change, to preserve the environment and biodiversity, to a better valorisation of the cultural heritage for a greater tourist attractiveness etc. 10 10

11. Theme 3

12. Identification of “best practices”
Approach Theme 3 Identification of "best practices" of smart eco-social villages
Identification of “best practices”
Selection of 15 examples
Analysis of examples
Longlist of examples
Application of draft criteria and characteristics established under Theme 2
(pre-filled) Factsheets
Interviews with actors
Best practice reports, including pictures
Analysis by applying 4 working principles

13. Overview of initiatives already identified
Theme 3
Overview of initiatives already identified “

14. Theme 4

15. Approach Theme 4 How to become a smart eco-social village in practice?
Case study selection
Case study implementation
Selection criteria
Call for proposals
Approach
Next steps
Hungary, France, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Spain

16. Workshop 21-22 February Digital technologies Innovative services
How to develop a Smart Village strategy ?
How to finance Smart Village ?

17. Pilot project smart eco-social villages
Thank you for your attention