Smart Villages support in Austria

How is Smart Villages defined?

How is the CAP supporting Smart Villages?

How are other policies supporting Smart Villages?

Smart Rural 27 Taskforce in Austria

Smart Villages in Austria

Download Austria Smart
Villages Info In PDF

The SR21 Country Page contains more
information on Smart Villages in Austria

How is the concept of Smart Villages defined?

Austria adopted the EU definition of Smart Villages in the national context:   “Smart Villages are communities in rural areas that develop intelligent solutions to challenges in their local context. They build on the existing local strengths and opportunities to initiate a process of sustainable development in their territory. They rely on a participatory approach to develop and implement strategies to improve their economic, social and environmental conditions, in particular by promoting innovation and mobilising the solutions offered by digital technologies. Smart Villages benefit from collaboration and alliances with other communities and actors in rural and urban areas. The initiation and implementation of Smart Village strategies can build on existing initiatives (especially LEADER) and be financed from a variety of public and private sources.” Source: BMLRT, Fact sheet Smart Villages , BMLRT / Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism

Is digital a key feature of Smart Villages?

Digital is a key aspect of the definition. Digital transformation is seen as tool not an end in itself. Especially, within LEADER digital technologies will play a role in the implementation of Smart Village.

Is social innovation a key feature of Smart Villages?

No specific information available on this aspect.

How is the CAP supporting Smart Villages?

Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism

W: https://www.bmlrt.gv.at/

Austrian CAP SP 2023-2027 Facstheet
CAP Factsheet in English
CAP Factsheet in German

CAP 2014-2022

Indirectly, no specific Smart Villages intervention.

CAP 2023-2027

Yes, direct Smart Villages interventions are planned:

LEADER/CLLD

The Local Action Groups (LAGs) can integrate the Smart Village concept and implement this preferably through umbrella projects (integrated processing of local challenges through new and innovative solutions, new technologies in digitalisation). Labelling of Smart Village projects is necessary. Thematically, all 4 areas of action in the LDS are addressed. New components in LEADER: The integration of cities with up to 70,000 inhabitants; mandatory gender quota in selection committee for topics such as “Smart Villages”, Local Agenda 21 and village renewal, the “Green Deal”

The intervention for strengthening the centres of municipalities aims at creating new solutions for vacant buildings in town/village centres, addressing declining population and mobility issues.

Smart villages could be supported through Rural Innovation Systems, following the EIP-AGRI’s multi-actor approach. In this context, regional micro and small businesses should be linked to enhance value chains and circular economy. 

See further information on the factsheet on Smart Villages.

 

Netzwerk Zukunftsraum Land

W: https://www.zukunftsraumland.at/

Michael Fischer, Team member 

E: Michael.fischer@zukunftsraumland.at

CAP Network support

Specific networking activities are organised on Smart Villages.

Several meetings/Conferences

NRN organised several events to communicate and discuss the Smart Villages concept and present pilot projects.

How are other policies supporting Smart Villages?

Further information:

W: https://www.oerok.gv.at/

W: https://www.standort-tirol.at/page.cfm?vpath=cluster/internationale-projekte/smart-villages

Martina Bach

E: bach@oerok.gv.at

Yes, other policies directly have supported Smart Villages

EU – Interreg

In the 2014-2020 period, Interreg Alpine Space programme supported the setting up of smart region projects (Austrian Partner Tyrol/Pitztal) The “SmartVillages” Interreg Alpine Space project” aims to prepare cities and municipalities in rural areas to recognize the opportunities of digitization and to use them to their advantage.

Please find further information about Smart Villages support in Austria on the Smart Rural 21 project’s Austria country page

Smart Rural 27 – Smart Villages Taskforce

Download Taskforce Action Plan

A National Smart Villages Taskforces have been set up in Austria.

To read more about the taskforce, click here

Smart Villages in Austria

Want to get involved or know more on what Smart Rural 27 is doing in Austria? Contact us!

Last update: September 30, 2022