Digital Rural

Summary of the project

In the financial period 2021-2027, significant resources will be used to develop digital infrastructure, improve digital skills and digital inclusion, and promote digital innovation in rural areas. 

However, in order to optimize the benefits of the funds and overcome digital gaps, these initiatives must also consider and prioritize the needs of rural communities themselves. Otherwise, the digital divide between urban and rural areas will naturally continue to grow due to continuous digital transformation.

Authorities must recognize the different starting conditions of rural areas and jointly plan digitization processes from the bottom up, while at the same time building bridges with innovative top-down strategies.

The aim of the Digital Rural project is to improve the coordination of resources from different EU, national and local policies, to make investments more efficient and effective, to implement the concept of smart villages faster in order to reduce the digital gap compared to urban areas.

In order to achieve this, each rural area must implement a COMMUNITY-driven process, where the selection of priorities and funding sources is characterized by a BOTTOM-UP approach through the involvement and participation of the relevant actors, strengthened by top-down innovative solutions identified through the interregional experience exchange supported in the project yes.

Project website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/digital-rural