Improving policies for the promotion of Smart Villages and rural digital transformation (Digital Rural)

As a result of rapid digitization processes, the demand for new solutions and competencies is increasing. The incompletely used digitization potential of Latvian businesses is related to the limited digitization possibilities of companies based in rural regions of Latvia, which negatively affects the common statistical indicators.

To overcome the digital gap in each area, stakeholders must recognise the different starting points of rural areas and villages and co-design digital pathways from the bottom-up while at the same time building bridges with the essential top-down strategies.

This approach aims to optimize fund benefits, address the unique needs of rural areas, and bridge the digital divide between rural and urban regions.

 

Title Improving policies for the promotion of Smart Villages and rural digital transformation
Abbreviation Digital Rural
Lead Partner Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (GR)
Programme Interreg Europe Programme 2021-2027
Partners

1. Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (GR)

2. Innovation & Management Centre Limited (IE)

3. Leitrim County Council (IE)

4. Region of Crete (GR)

5. Vidzeme Planning Region (LV)

6. Pannon Novum West-Transdanubian Regional Innovation (HU)

7. Vas County Government Office (HU)

8. Association of Municipalities of Tartu County (EE)

9. Elva Municipality (EE)

10. Rzeszow Regional Development Agency (PL)

11. Municipality Hof van Twente (NL)

12. University of Ljubljana (SI)
Objective

To better coordinate EU, national, and local funds and policies, making investments more efficient and effective to speed up Smart Village implementation and reduce the digital gap with urban areas.
Activities

1. Creation of a Stakeholder and Community Groups, including project stakeholders and main community actors;

2. Participative analysis, based on organisation of events, public meetings, village audits, training courses etc.;

3. Workshops for Joint development of the policies and Collective decision making on preferred objects;

4. Creation of a permanent bottom-up structure and tool to allow the continuous participation of stakeholders in the policies feedback and creation.
Results

Better coordinated funds and policies to speed up Smart Village implementation and reduce the digital gap with urban areas.
Budget

Total budget: 2 102 700,00 EUR

ERDF funding: 1 682 160,00 EUR

VPR budget: 188 900,00 EUR, ERDF funding: 151 120,00 EUR
Implementation Period

01.04.2024.-31.03.2027.
Contact Person

Ineta Tauriņa

+371 26 382 820

Ineta.taurina@vidzeme.lv