Smart eco-social villages for rural development

Source: European Commission (EC) i, published on Tuesday, April 4 2017.

To encourage ways of boosting rural development, the European Commission i has launched a call for tender for a pilot project on smart eco-social villages.

What are the characteristics, drivers and factors of success for smart eco-social villages? How do we work towards achieving villages with a viable economy, attractive living conditions and that are environmentally sustainable, with access to technology and state-of-the-art connectivity that could help boost rural areas.

Open for submissions until 17 May 2017, the aim of this pilot project is to find concrete examples and best practices to overcome challenges facing rural areas such as unemployment, insufficient services and depopulation. Relevant and practical examples could include, for example, innovative projects with the aim of fostering cooperation between farmers and/or other groups active in rural areas.

Rural areas across Europe are confronted with similar challenges. The outcome of the project therefore should aim to draw conclusions that are applicable throughout the European Union (EU i), taking into account the diversity of circumstances that apply across EU countries and regions. Finding a common definition and characteristics of smart eco-social villages, with good practice examples for decision makers and rural communities, should help to enhance rural development.

Investing in rural viability and vitality is part of the Cork 2.0 action plan, with the development of a document on EU actions on smart villages by the European Commission.

Call for tender: pilot project smart eco-social villages