Smart Rural Project – Expression of Interest

Smart Rural Project – Expression of Interest to become a Participant Village/Rural Town

Preparatory Action on Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century

What is the ‘Smart Rural’ Project About?

The ‘Smart Rural’ project is a two and a half-year project coordinated by E40 Group and supported by the European Commission (DG AGRI) with the overall aim to promote and inspire villages to develop and implement smart village approaches and strategies across Europe, and to draw conclusions and support future CAP interventions on smart villages.

17 villages are selected across Europe to receive guidance and technical support through the project. 5 villages have already been selected in Ireland (Dingle, Co. Kerry), Finland, France, the Czech Republic and Greece, and a further 12 villages will be selected up until 5 May 2020.

You can submit your application here: https://form.jotformeu.com/E40/smart-rural-application

Is our Village/Rural Town an Ideal Candidate?

Your village/rural town is an ideal candidate if it:

• Needs support, ideas and inspiration to become a smart village
• Has enthusiastic leaders who are committed to develop and implement a smart village strategy
• Has the relevant human capacity to mobilise for the smart village process
• Would benefit from specific expert guidance to progress with village development plans
• Ideally has some basic technical capacity, including sufficient broadband connectivity or relevant infrastructure (e.g. community spaces) – although this is not a pre-condition
• Ideally has some initial ideas, flagship projects or planning activities done that the smart village process can build on – although this is not a pre-condition
• Is open to knowledge exchange and cooperation with other villages and stakeholders

According the Irish National Rural Network ‘Smart Villages, and Smart Rural Towns in an Irish context, are rural communities that put measures in place to help retain and attract people to live and work in their locality’.

How do I Apply?

You need to complete a simple application form (please see: https://form.jotformeu.com/E40/smart-rural-application) describing:

• The key characteristics, challenges, assets and opportunities of your village/rural town
• The motivation to become a smart village
• The added value that you expect from becoming a participant village and the support that your village/rural town needs.

What do you get if selected?

If your village is selected the project will:

• Provide specialist expert support for strategy development & implementation
• Allow your village to visit and get inspiration from other villages
• Allow your village to take part in exchange and capacity building with other participant villages through the Smart Village Academy events
• Promote your village and give it visibility in European-level discussions and exchange.

If you think your village/rural town is ready to undertake an exciting smart village journey, then apply until 5 May 2020 to become one of the participant villages in the Smart Rural Project!

You can submit your application here: https://form.jotformeu.com/E40/smart-rural-application

For more information/further details please contact: shane.conway@nuigalway.ie and/or smart-rural@e40.eu.