The smart village
Smart villages are rural communities that use innovative solutions to increase the standard of living of residents, strengthen communication and develop the economy, local businesses and cutting-edge innovations.
The purpose of smart village projects is to offer villagers the advantages of modern standards, taking into account the traditions and principles of rural communities.
Smart village concepts are based on the development and application of local strategies to improve economic, social and environmental conditions.
To complete a smart village project, authorities can collaborate with other neighboring villages, the principles can be implemented in all villages, and funding can come from private or public sources.
Most of the time, the projects contain the following areas: health, education, environment, sustainable development, digital transformation, renewable energy, awareness and citizen involvement.
The European Commission supports various areas in this transformation process:
- E-government: implementation of systems and technologies for operational communication between departments and employees, easy access to information, development of projects to improve the standard of living
- Smart environment: air quality monitoring, energy efficiency, water and waste monitoring
- Smart mobility: smart public transport, increased safety, efficiency, thanks to digital technologies
- Smart economy: smart strategies for developing new jobs in line with digital progress
- Smart citizen: it is not about the intellectual level of the citizen, but about his desire to participate in the needs of the community, about digital education
- Smart life: easy access to medical services, increased security, access to technology, tourism, culture, management of public space.