Smart Villages Taskforces are supported by national experts to contribute to improving the Smart Villages support and policy framework at regional or/and national levels. Taskforces have specific and practical goals – defined in Taskforce action plans – for improving a specific policy area or support action of Smart Villages. They serve as platforms to exchange ideas between national, regional and local stakeholders. In particular, taskforces aim to improve the interaction among various funds and policymakers from various policy fields (CAP Managing Authorities; Managing Authorities of other EU programmes, e.g. Cohesion Policy; CAP Networks, etc.).
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Austria
In the Austrian CAP Strategic Plan three different interventions are to be used for implementing the Smart Village (SV) approach: the major strand is LEADER, there is also a CAP intervention for village-and city-center development (vacancy managements) as well as a CAP intervention designated to establish and operate regional innovation systems (innovation broker/enabler). The focus of the Taskforce is to clarify how to communicate about these three anchors and their management for SV amongst the broader (rural) development system in Austria. Styria – an active Austrian province – is involved as pilot to identify how to support LEADER LAGs and the villages in planning and implementing Smart Village initiatives, with a special focus on village center development.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Austria here
The initial taskforce meeting was mainly about informing participating stakeholders about the context of the Smart Rural Project and the role of the taskforce. All invited stakeholders agreed on setting up a taskforce and on common aims that should be worked on.
Read the report here.
Styria acts as the regional branch of the taskforce. With their special emphasis on village center development, Styria pilots the connection of the Smart Village approach to a thematically focused development process at the regional level. During the meeting, the national expert provided background information on the Smart Village concept. The Styrian Village Center Coordinator explained the Styrian governance approach for village center development. Together planning activities started with special focus on a LEADER Workshop.
One of the main agenda points of the second taskforce meeting was presenting and discussing the pilot analysis of 16 Styrian LEADER LDSs on the uptake of the Smart Villages concept. Additionally the Styrian taskforce members introduced their Smart Governance approach for strengthening village centers
This workshop, with approximately 40 LAG managers and regional managers of the federal province of Styria, aimed at providing clarification of the Smart Village concept, sharing views about roles and responsibilities and informing about the special approach in Styria for smart municipal/ city center development. See the full agenda here. It also unveiled potential for supporting LAGs and regional managers in their roles. Read the workshop report and lessons learnt here.
An analysis was conducted on 83 LEADER Local Development Strategies (LDS) for the CAP 2023-2027. The method involved a systematic content analysis of the dedicated chapter on Smart Villages within LDSs. The fact that 82 of 83 Austrian LDS contain the Smart Village approach highlighted the strategic importance of Smart Villages initiatives, especially in inter-municipal cooperation. Read more about the LDS analysis here
During the 3rd taskforce meeting, discussions focused on taskforce activities, particularly developments in Styria, and planning for the future. Digitalization, explored through the Smart Village Observatory, was a key topic. The meeting also addressed translating the EU definition for Smart Villages into the Austrian context and clarified governance roles, emphasizing the necessity of dense cooperation for village center development Read the meeting report here.
In the 4th taskforce meeting, the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management presented upcoming Smart Village approaches. Collaborating with the research promotion agency FFG and the CAP network, the ministry outlined a three-pillar strategy to enhance the Smart Village approach within the CAP strategic plan. This involves making good practices accessible, employing an innovation platform for public procurement, and initiating a Smart Village Lab. The ministry's next steps include keeping the task force updated on further developments. Read the meeting report here.
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Belgium (Wallonia)
The initial purpose of the Taskforce in Wallonia has been to analyse and disseminate the experience acquired in the Walloon context by key Smart Villages actors – such as LAGs, Economic Development Agencies and Digital Wallonia – to other rural actors unfamiliar with the process/approach, to prepare them to the future call for “smart territories” projects to be launched by Digital Wallonia in 2022. Through the work of the Taskforce, the gradual networking of the main rural actors concerned by the Smart Villages approach should make it possible to identify/define/specify the challenges to be met.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Belgium-Wallonia here
Refine the pre-identified smart development issues for rural territories and produce a white paper or at the very least define specific orientations in terms of smart development of rural territories. It should also make it possible to acculturate and network rural development actors around this theme.
Co-production of roadmap on the smart needs of territories and rural stakeholders and continuation of the networking of rural development actors around the „smart rural” theme.
Continutation of co-production of roadmap on the smart needs of territories and rural stakeholders and continuation of the networking work of rural development actors around this „smartrural” theme + identification of good practices and promotion for replication elsewhere in Wallonia.
Presenting European news and in particular those of the Smart Rural 21 project Final Conference. The participants were informed of the results of the project and many references and activities carried out by the different territories supported by this project were provided to participants.
RwDR notebook dedicated to the theme of Smart territories was produced based also on the outcomes of the working groups in 2022.
The call for projects “smart territories”, a perspective which notably justifies the work of the TF, was finally launched at the end of August 2022. It mobilises field stakeholders until October 13.
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Czechia
The Taskforce is based on the Atelier Czech Republic platform which is a non-profit organisation formed by members of national working groups for rural development and for smart cities and the national LAGs platform. A special feature of the Czech Republic is its 6,258 municipalities, of which 5,800 have less than 3,000 inhabitants – therefore, Smart Villages development is very important for the country and the Taskforce will use a thematic angle to advance policy changes in the fields of energy communities, local businesses and medical services in rural areas.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Czechia here
Meeting was preceeded by preparation of background document through desk research and field research on local rural businesses. A report was prepared and recommendations for ministries of regional development and industry and trade how to support business development in smart villages were sent to these authorities. Information about meeting was published on the national smart city website.
Meeting was preceeded by preparation of background document through desk research and several in-depth interviews. A report from the meeting was prepared with conclusions and recommendations for the Ministry of Industry and Trade and information about meeting has been published on the national smart city website.
Meeting was preceeded by preparation of background document through desk research and several in-depth interviews. A list of examples of good practice for the national website on smart city issues to be prepared (www.budtesmart.cz) and recommendations for applied research in this area (TA CR) to be given. You can read the recommendations in English and the meeting report here.
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Cyprus
In Cyprus, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy is already supporting scientific research, investing in innovative entrepreneurship, implementing a digital transformation reform, and designing the “Smart Cyprus Platform”. The Deputy Ministry is expected to take ownership of the Smart Villages Policy, supported through the CAP Managing Authority. The Taskforce is expected to suggest specific CAP policy interventions, securing that duplications are avoided. The Taskforce is built in a way that most of the relevant interventions and funding schemes are represented.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Cyprus here
Both the Deputy Ministry of Innovation and the Ministry of Agriculture support the idea of developing and implementing Smart Village Strategies. During the meeting, the Deputy Ministry of Innovation presented the Cyprus Smart Cities Platform and the Strategy for Smart Cyprus, both also targeted at rural areas and communities.
Participants highlighted that there are expertise, know-how and technologies in many municipalities that have already developed and implement Smart Cities Strategies
Read the report here (ENG).
The Note on the ’Definition of the Concept of Smart Rural Areas at the National Level’ was prepared as follow-up of the 1st Taskforce Meeting on Smart Villages (of 19 January 19 2022), building on the outcomes of the meeting and discussions and perspectives of relevant stakeholders.
A ’Study on the Priorities of Rural Areas’ (GR version / EN version) on adopting smart solutions (inc. smart agriculture, smart waste management, smart energy, smart transport, e-health etc.) has been developed and includes:
1. Introduction and description of rural areas in Cyprus
2. Developing a methodology for a questionnaire to be filled by local authorities’ representatives
3. Implementing the survey
4. Results and conclusions
During the 2nd meeting (see report), the National Expert presented the results of the ’Study on the Priorities of Rural Areas’ and links with the Smart Cyprus Strategy and the Smart Cities Platform.
The Smart City Officer of the Municipality of Nicosia presented its methodology of becoming a Smart City.
The Taskforce members also discussed relevant recent developments, such us the new CAP Strategic Plan, the legislation for energy communities, and projects for smart waste management and smart agriculture.
A series of five Regional Information Meetings for the "Implementation of the Smart Rural Areas Approach" (see EN press release) was organised by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation & Digital Policy, with the support of the Cyprus Communities Union, the National Rural Network and the national expert of the Smart Rural 27 project; in the communities of Galata (27/03/23), Skarinou (29/03/23), Trimiklini (30/03/23), Liopetri (03/04/23) and Tsada (05/04/23), covering all the provinces and rural areas of Cyprus.
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Finland
The Taskforce follows within its existing resources discussions and developments around policies closely connected to smart villages, e.g. energy, fibber, innovations, digital transition in order to make proposals on future cooperation and/or programming. In order to mobilise the concept on the village level, the Taskforce aims to integrate “smart village plan” in existing/ future village development plans, which almost all 4000 Finnish villages have in some format. The Taskforce will provide with background information and supportive data relayed through Finnish village movement and the regional NGO´s as well as LAGs to villages.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Finland here
Different rural stakeholder were invited to the Taskforce preparatory session. The overall framework was described and tasks planned.
The Smart Rural concept was explained to the Task Force members and first tasks defined: looking into funding and horizontal aspects of development.
A Webinar on Energy Efficient Commmunities was organised on actual legislation and future plans. Local stakeholders and officials participated in the event.
The small study presented an overall view on how Smart Villages are seen in programmes and funding schemes
The second webinar was about the Digital Transition for rural citizens. Transition issues were presented and discussed through case-studies and keynote speeches on artificial intelligence and local government roles. Capacity building was seen as one key action in the near future.
In the 4thTaskforce meeting a first report on the CAP-analysis was presented and a short questionnaire on smart villages was initiated. The role of partnerships in Smart village development was discussed.
The Final Webinar was planned and results of the village survey with policy proposals were presented. The results of the survey on Smart villages and policy recommendations were published in February 2024.
The concluding webinar featured presentations on SR27 results at both European and Finnish levels. Future policies, programmes and funding around Smart Villages and local rural development were tackled by the panelists and participants.
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Hungary
The main purpose of the Hungarian Taskforce was to help the planning and implementation of the dedicated Smart villages intervention and LEADER intervention for a more effective support for Smart Villages. Following initial consultations with the MA representatives, a capacity-building event was held for LEADER LAGs on Smart Villages in July 2023. Initially, further meetings and capacity-building actions with Smart Villages representatives were foreseen, however, these have been postponed by the Managing Authority, as it was considered to be too early in the process (calls expected by end of 2024).
Read the taskforce Action Plan here
Read more about SV policies in Hungary here
During the preparatory consultations the possible scope and activities of the Smart Rural 27 support activity were discussed, with particular focus on planning a LEADER capacity-building event as a first step.
Workshop with the participation of the Hungrian MA, CAP Network and over 20 interested LAGs to provide technical support regarding the relationship between the EU’s Smart Village initiative and LEADER, as well as on how smart villages can be included in the Local Development Strategies and supported through ‘smart calls’. See Summary Report.
Discussions on the next steps in the taskforce’s work in the light of the CAP implementation process. A meeting on planning of intervention foreseen but later cancelled (considered to be too early in the process).
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Latvia
The Smart Village approach is a new and an undiscovered concept for the communities in Latvia. The Taskforce aims to bring together representatives of various sectors and interests from various regions, thus promoting a holistic view and understanding of the concept of smart villages to create a support system for the smart village approach that goes wider than CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and building policy co-responsibility. A short study will be carried out to prioritise the needs of rural communities.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Latvia here
The task of the initial taskforce meeting was mainly about involving various representatives, emphasizing and inspiring stakeholders to be active, informing participating stakeholders about the quite new Smart Village concept, definition and about context of the Smart Rural Project. Within the workshops there were identified stakholders (also potential) and their responsibilities.
Building of a shared vision of the concept of smart territories. Activities of NGO Rural Forum for the SV development. Discussions on whether the sustainable development of Latvian countryside requires a coordinated and managed concept of Smart Villages on a national scale, or whether it should remain a local initiative without certain restrictive conditions.
Emphasising and discussing the role of LAGs in the development of Smart Villages. Introducing the EU concept of Smart Villages, examples of good practice, results of the European pilot projects Smart Rural 21 and Smart Rural 27. Discussion on the role of LAGs in the development of Smart Villages, challenges and necessary support in the preparation of a long-term development vision (village strategies or development plans). We also discussed the necessary training or experience acquisition measures for LAGs and the identification of a smart project and its characteristics.
The 4th Taskforce meeting is expected to be dedicated to present the research "Assessment of the impact of the Smart Village on the local area with the aim of repeating the good practice in another area" and to discuss the data necessity for development of the local territory.
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Poland
The purpose of the Taskforce in Poland is to help in using the opportunities created by CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, exploring the possibilities, and expanding the scope of financing the Smart Villages concept from various European funds and national sources and initiating technical assistance for interested parties. To achieve this purpose the Taskforce will be involved in preparation of the guidebook on Smart Village concept preparation and implementation in Poland. In addition, the guidebook could give some advice how to tackle with both on digital aspects of smart village and environment and climate issues.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Poland here
Two meetings were held. The first meeting, for potential Task Force (TF) members, focused on discussing the formation of the Polish Task Force and the development of LEADER Guidance on Smart Villages. This was followed by a second meeting with representatives from Local Action Groups (LAGs), which featured presentations on the Smart Rural 27 project and an introduction to the Task Force concept
The 1st Taskforce meeting focused on leveraging opportunities presented by the CAP National Strategic Plan to advance the Smart Village concept in Poland, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support beyond community-led development regions. Participants discussed the establishment of a task force under the Smart Rural 27 project to provide guidance and support for Smart Village initiatives, aiming to ensure vitality and positive development in rural areas nationwide. You can read the meeting report here.
The meeting focused on discussing the incorporation of smart village concepts in local development strategies, preparations for smart village and possibilities of supporting smart villages from various sources, methodological support by Local Action Groups (LGD)
A team of experts is working on LEADER Guidance on Smart Villages in Poland.
National Smart Villages Taskforce in Portugal
The Taskforce targets a specific Integrated Territorial-based Intervention – The Programme for the Revitalisation of Pinhal Interior (PRPI). The Taskforce have for purpose to build awareness, promote, support, and enable the introduction of the Smart Villages concept and approach in the design and implementation of the Transforming project P09. Villages. by designing a conceptual framework that includes the Smart Villages concept and approach in the Transforming project. With the results of the Taskforce in this specific territorial context it is expected that the work carried out can be expanded to the regional and national levels.
Read the taskforce Action plan here
Read more about SV policies in Portugal here
The initial Taskforce meeting was mostly to inform stakeholders about the Projects Smart Rural 21 and Smart Rural 27 and about the objectives for setting up a Taskforce under PRPI, specifically under the transforming project P09. Villages.
It was discussed the perspectives and expectations of the stakeholders regarding the constitution of the Task Force for designing and implementing P09. Villages, integrating the Smart Villages concept.
Discussion and approval of the work plan for the working group of the PRPI Thematic Domain Tourism and Territorial Marketing (of which the National expert is participating and can be considered as the Taskforce).
In this meeting it was identified the need for a more in-depth debate on SV approach, taking into account the policy territorial instrument landscape and there was a discussion on potential further inputs from the Project Smart Rural 27 (e.g., designing a Conceptual Framework for P09. That includes the SV concept and approach).
Discussion regarding the conceptual framework of Smart Villages and how to integrate it on the implementation of P09. Villages. Discussion on the main themes / areas of investment for the development of Village Plans. Contributions on the draft for the Expression of Interest of villages / rural communities that aim to be a part of the Network supported by P09. Villages, including selection criteria.
Presentation on the Smart Villages concept and possible approaches to implement it during weekly LAGs network meeting. Discussion regarding the prospect and possibility of integrating measures to support Smart Villages at the national level within Local Development Strategies, taking into account the PT context. Recognizing an immediate need for guidance in integrating Smart Village support into these strategies, the SR27 National Expert offered a comprehensive document titled "Contribution/Proposal for Integrating the Smart Villages Concept into Local Development Strategies of LEADER/CLLD."
The discussion around the possibility (and capacity) to integrate the concept of Smart Villages, led to an in-depth debate on the thematic areas of intervention that could benefit more from the Smart Villages approach.
Given that Pinhal Interior faces a set of problems exacerbated by low population density, an ageing population and dispersed rural communities, it was felt that the Smart Villages approach could make a greater contribution to overcoming these constraints.
The ITBT management decided to create specific interventions within the Thematic Domain 1 ‘People, Social, Innovation, demography and Housing’ to be implemented through the Smart Villages concept, assuring its articulation to P09. Villages.