Smart Village Network (Services)

EU Legislative Interests

The Smart Village Network is focusing on the specific new policy instrument, the Smart Village concept. Smart Villages can be funded by a wide range of EU, national, regional and local policies. As far as EU policies are concerned, Smart Villages are most commonly programmed under the Common Agricultural Policy (Strategic Plans). Within that several Member States are using the LEADER intervention to support Smart Villages, but some Member States have dedicated interventions to target this area. At the same time it is crucial that Smart Villages is meant to be a multi-funded instrument (the initial EU Action for Smart Villages was also signed by three Commissioners). In particular, Cohesion Policy (and relevant national/ regional) programmes aim to support smart solutions and approaches also in rural areas.

Communication Activities

The Smart Village Network carries out direct communication with members and beyond on Smart Villages policies and strategies. The aim is to raise awareness about the Smart Villages policies concept and how it can be implemented at different policy levels from local, through regional to the national and European levels. One of the main tools is face-to-face events at various locations of member communities.

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

Member of the Rural Pact Coordination Group.

Organisation Members

See list of members here: https://www.smart-village-network.eu/network Members are villages (rural communities), village groups (i.e. groups of rural communities / including LAGs) and village associations (regional national associations/ networks representing villages/ rural communities).

Additional Information

The Smart Village Network Services is supported by (Company) E40 Europe on a voluntary basis (in this context E40 Europe acts as intermediary to cover "costs") of the network's operational costs. E40 Europe is managing EU-funded projects.