2nd European Smart Villages Pilot Observatory, November 27-28 in Prague

Purpose


The purpose
of the 2nd European Smart Villages Pilot Observatory is to discuss how Smart Villages could be supported through various policies and EU funds, including the CAP Strategic Plans and Cohesion Policy programmes. The Smart Villages concept builds on integrated local smart village strategies. The thematic areas concerned implies several sectors that should be developed in synergies and in a coherent way. (e.g. LEADER/CLLD Local Development Strategies, regional or even national sectoral strategies and programmes). Due to the integrated and holistic nature of Smart Villages, multiple funding sources need to be mobilised for its effective implementation.

The event will feature both CAP SP interventions as well as other EU-funded, national and regional programmes that support Smart Village (-type) initiatives at the local level. The aim is to reinforce the support of Smart Villages also in other than the CAP policies and discuss possible synergies between the various programmes and ensuring that local communities have access to relevant EU funding sources.

Read here the Call for action through Smart Villages introducing Smart Villages as a new multi-funded tool for Rural developmemnt

Event venue and livestreaming

➪ Day 1, November 27
⏰14:00 – 16:00 CET – live from the Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic
➪ Day 2, November 28
⏰ 8:30-12:00 CET – live from Hotel Diplomat

Agenda – Day 1

Day 1, 27 Nov 2023: Support landscape of Smart  Village
Meeting venue: Ministry of Regional Development / CIIRC
TimingAgenda item
MorningArrival of participants
12:15 - 13:30Lunch (Mincovna Restaurant: Staroměstské náměstí 930/7, 110 00 Prague 1)
13:30 - 14:00 Registration & check-in at Ministry of Regional Development
(Address: Pařížská 4, 110 00 Prague 1)
14:00 - 14:30 Introduction to the event
14:30 - 15:15Czech Approach to supporting Smart Villages through multiple funds

  • The Czech approach of supporting Smart Villages through various EU policies, Radim Srsen (Mayor of Dolní Studénky, Deputy Minister of Regional Development - Czechia, Member of the European Committee of the Regions)

  • Q&A and short panel discussion with various representatives responsible for SV implementation: Ministry of Agricultural / CAP Network, Ministry of Industry/ Ministry of Regional Development, LAG representative

15:15 - 16:00Presentations from other European programmes and initiatives that support Smart Villages or Smart Village-type actions through various funds/programmes:

Q&A and Discussion
16:00 - 16:30Going together to CIIRC by public transport
16:30 - 18:30Smart solutions by the Czech Technical University in Prague (visit)
The Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC) and the Center for Energy Efficiency Buildings (UCEEB) as institutions of the Czech Technical University in Prague are leaders in SMART solutions in the Czech Republic, not only from the Smart City perspective, but also from the rural/ municipal perspective. There are many labs/testbeds in the university related to digitalisation and robotics, including solutions useful for rural areas and wellbeing of rural inhabitants such as virtual reality, assistive technologies, public space design, transport solutions and systems and many more.

20:00Dinner (Diplomat Hotel: Evropská 15 , 160 00 Prague 6)

Agenda – Day 2


Day 2, 28 Nov 2023: Bridging stakeholders and perspectives for Smart Villages

Meeting venue: Diplomat Hotel

TimingAgenda item
8:30 - 10:00
(Livestreamed)
Introduction to the Day, Edina Ocsko (Project Coordinator)

Shaping the European Smart Villages Pilot Observatory: Animating discussion on Smart Villages implementation among various stakeholder groups, with the aim to create bridges among various stakeholders and improving Smart Villages support:

  • Round 1 discussion: National Groups facilitated by national experts (8.45-9.20)

  • Round 2 discussion: Stakeholder Platforms: MA, CAP Network, LAG, Village, Mixed (9.20-10.00)

10:00 - 10:30Coffee break
10:30 - 11:50
(Livestreamed)
Linking bottom-up Smart Villages approaches to LEADER local development strategies & regional strategies.

From European to the local level support - The case of Italy:

Accessing support by local community - Cases from Europe
11:50 - 12:00
(Livestreamed)
Concluding remarks & next steps
12:00 - 12:45Lunch
13:45 - 16:30Optional field visit to Smart Rural 21 community: Mukarov (near Pargue)

  • Presentation by Katerina Cadilova (Mukarov) on the Smart Village approach of Mukarov

  • Walking around in the village – (visit to the Culture & Community centre)

  • Workshop in the local school: Community engagement with focus on youth

  • Presentations by Ryan Howard (SECAD) & Katerina Cadilova (Mukarov) & discussion with participants on youth engagement

Practical information

Please read here the practical information dealing with accomodation and relevant travel information:

Supporting documents

Outcomes of the event