Smart Rurality: Reconciling Convergence with Growth and Wellbeing at Local Level?

Over the past decade, Smart Rurality has gained significant traction in Europe, with various declarations advocating for it as a pathway to just transition and rural revitalization. Despite its popularity, the concept remains somewhat ambiguous.

A policy brief by Carla Lostrangio, Expert in Rural and Territorial Development (AEIDL), delves into the components that define a ‘smart’ rural area and examines how Smart Rurality has been incorporated into EU policies, particularly under the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy since 2021. Its conclusions stress that to support smart rural areas in view of the post-2027 EU Programming Period, it is crucial to:

• Foresee targeted objectives, measures and investments for Smart Rurality;
• Ensure that measures and programmes supporting smart rural initiatives (e.g. Smart Villages, Startup Villages) are embedded into territorial schemes;
• Ensure the issuance of small-scale innovation schemes (e.g. Interreg Alpine Space small funds,
  Horizon Europe cascade funding), simplified cost options (e.g. Horizon Europe funds) and one-
  stop-shop platforms (e.g. Rural Toolkits);
• Foster simultaneously the technological, organisational and environmental readiness of rural area;
• Don’t forget the Focus on Social Innovation.

The policy brief is available HERE.