COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Programme 2014 - 2020 INTERREG VB North Sea

Date of latest update: 2024-01-29

Description

Description (EN):

Digital divide across rural areas of the NSR is limiting their attractiveness for families and businesses. This phenomenon represents a market failure, as infrastructural investment is not adequately delivered due to high financial risks. Digital skills also fail to meet a certain level of progress. Local authorities are often not aware of their future-coming digital needs and end-users have limited skills to create an effective level of demand. CORA targets this and emphasizes on main components of digital divide namely digital infrastructure, services and skills. It enables local authorities to identify their common challenges and empowers them to exchange experiences and test innovative solutions to create an advanced digital environment. To do so, CORA partners develop a model called SSE “Systematic Synergy Enhancement model”, which provides a comprehensive set of guiding measures towards digitalization in rural areas. It employs fixed and mobile digital hub concept for providing in-place advice, technology demonstration and incubator spaces. Built on Training the Trainer, face-to-face and online training concept will be tested to enhance digital skills. 10 regions will demonstrate one or more dimensions of digitalization depending on their baselines and local priorities. The results will be utilized to formulate digital strategies for rural areas to be streamlined to the regional, national and European authorities and influence EU digital inclusion policy. Information added on 2020-05-18, regarding the mitigation of the effects of COVID-19 (the coronavirus pandemic that started in 2019) (English language only): CORA's support to building digital infrastructure, skills and services creates resilience towards unexpected events like Covid-19. For example, by helping regions provide access for citrizens to reliable infrastructure and online services such as e-health, e-education, e-administration. Also, the regions are equipped to ensure companies are well connected and have adequate skills necessary in flexible working conditions (e.g. like working from home) and to relocate and adapt workflows. Flexibility and skills help them to continue production and providing services even in times of physical limitations.

Achievements (EN):

The ultimate goal of the CORA project was very clear from the beginning: To make rural and small cities and towns in the North Sea region more resilient in their digital transformation, thus bridging the digital divide. CORA emphasized on the 3 main components of digital divide namely digital infrastructure, digital services and digital skills. It enabled local authorities to identify their common challenges and empowered them to exchange experiences and test innovative solutions to create an advanced digital environment. The CORA model was developed early in the project, and six years later, it remains relevant and valid as an instrument providing an overview of the 3 most important pillars of digital transformation. The model enables local authorities in rural areas to identify their digital barriers and empowers them to test new tools and solutions facilitating the development of advanced digital infrastructure and services as well as enhancing the digital skills and competences. Built on the idea of “train the trainer”, the CORA partners developed online trainings and guiding materials. The training measures target local and regional authorities and aim to create an advanced digital environment that benefits their citizens and businesses. 20 online trainings have been developed within the CORA project and are available for free on the CORA platform ruraldigital.eu. In 9 CORA pilot regions, local and regional authorities have tested CORA solutions and assessed the effectiveness of interventions to facilitate digital inclusion in rural areas. The pilots demonstrated how and to which extent the improved digital technologies and environment can: improve socio-economic conditions in rural areas, enhance the quality of life of communities, enhance business activities, and all together the level of innovation, attractiveness and productivity in rural areas. The results and findings from research and the pilot activities are integrated into the CORA policy briefs, a set of strategic recommendations to the national and European decision making authorities. In 2021 the CORA project was granted an extension for another 18 months with the aim to enhance the awareness and abilities of local and regional authorities beyond the existing CORA partnership and deeper into the core of the municipalities. The Smart Rural Journey was born. Throughout this journey, CORA knowledge, experiences and materials have been shared as widely and deeply as possible in the North Sea region towards all interested cities, municipalities and regions to enhance the basic and practical knowledge to improve their ability in initiating, developing and implementing digital and smart projects. To achieve this a digital maturity check tool has been developed. The Digital Maturity Check helps municipalities assess their digital maturity on various dimensions of digitalization, namely Strategy, Technology, Organization and Competencies and identifies strengths and potential gaps. By means of 6 transnational workshop and many other regional workshops and innovation dialogue sessions, the CORA ambassadors, consisting of municipality and university CORA partners, supported by external experts, provided training/coaching sessions on the identified priority topics towards the municipalities. Based on the increased knowledge and inspiration received from the CORA project, many municipalities started to think actively about their digital transformation and necessary steps to be taken. Guided by CORA experts, municipalities defined concrete and feasible action plans and initiatives on short, middle and long term to improve their digital readiness.

Website: https://northsearegion.eu/cora

Thematic information

ICT and digital society Rural and peripheral development

Specific Objective: Stimulate the public sector to generate innovation demand and innovative solutions for improving public service delivery

Thematic Objective: (01) strengthening research, technological development and innovation by:

Investment Priority:

(01b) promoting business investment in R&I, developing links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the higher education sector, in particular promoting investment in product and service development, technology transfer, social innovation, eco-innovation, public service applications, demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation, and supporting technological and applied research, pilot lines, early product validation actions, advanced manufacturing capabilities and first production, in particular in key enabling technologies and diffusion of general purpose technologies

Partners (16)

Lead Partner: Intercommunale Leiedal

Address: President Kennedypark 10, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.leiedal.be

Total budget: EUR 639 928.00

ERDF budget: EUR 319 964.00

Aalborg Universitet

Name: Aalborg Universitet

Address: Fredrik Bajers Vej 7A, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.aau.dk

Total budget: EUR 204 200.00

ERDF budget: EUR 102 100.00

Agentur für Kommunikation, Organisation und Management

Name: Agentur für Kommunikation, Organisation und Management

Address: Bördestr. 9, 27711 Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Germany

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.atenekom.eu

Total budget: EUR 639 287.00

ERDF budget: EUR 319 643.00

Amt Huettener Berge

Name: Amt Huettener Berge

Address: Mühlenstrasse 8, 24361 Gross Wittensee, Germany

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.amt-huettener-berge.de

Total budget: EUR 289 000.00

ERDF budget: EUR 144 500.00

BürgerBreitbandNetz GmbH & Co. KG

Name: BürgerBreitbandNetz GmbH & Co. KG

Address: Industriestraße 33a, 25813 Husum / Nordsee, Germany

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.bbng.de

Eidskog Kommune

Name: Eidskog Kommune

Address: Rådhusveien 11, 2230 Skotterud, Norway

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.eidskog.kommune.no

Total budget: EUR 110 125.00

Gemeente Oldambt

Name: Gemeente Oldambt

Address: Johan Modastraat 6, 9670 AD Winschoten, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.gemeente-oldambt.nl

Total budget: EUR 361 369.00

ERDF budget: EUR 180 684.00

Groningen Internet Exchange Foundation

Name: Groningen Internet Exchange Foundation

Address: Friesestraatweg 219, 9743AD Groningen, Netherlands

Legal status: private

Website: http://www.gn-ix.net

Total budget: EUR 202 800.00

ERDF budget: EUR 101 400.00

Grue Kommune

Name: Grue Kommune

Address: Pb 64, 2261 Kirkenær, Norway

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.grue.kommune.no

Total budget: EUR 110 200.00

Innlandet Fylkeskommune

Name: Innlandet Fylkeskommune

Address: Parkggata 64, 2325 Hamar, Norway

Legal status: public

Website (not verified): http://www.hedmark.org

Total budget: EUR 152 150.00

Middelfart Kommune

Name: Middelfart Kommune

Address: Oestergade 21, 5580 Noerre Aaby, Denmark

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.middelfart.dk

Total budget: EUR 137 450.00

ERDF budget: EUR 68 725.00

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Name: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Address: Landleven 1, 9747 AD Groningen, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.rug.nl/frw

Total budget: EUR 393 700.00

ERDF budget: EUR 196 850.00

University of Lincoln

Name: University of Lincoln

Address: Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, LN6 7TS Lincoln, United Kingdom

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk

Total budget: EUR 277 150.00

ERDF budget: EUR 138 575.00

Vejle Kommune

Name: Vejle Kommune

Address: Vejle Bibliotekerne, Willy Sørensens Plads 1, 7100 Vejle, Denmark

Legal status: public

Website: https://Vejle.dk

Total budget: EUR 202 000.00

ERDF budget: EUR 101 000.00

Länsstyrelsen Värmland

Name: Länsstyrelsen Värmland

Address: Våxnäsgatan 5, 65186 Karlstad, Sweden

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/varmland

Total budget: EUR 258 050.00

ERDF budget: EUR 129 025.00

Syddjurs Kommune

Name: Syddjurs Kommune

Address: Lundbergsvej 2, 8400 Ebeltoft, Denmark

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.syddjurs.dk

Total budget: EUR 194 700.00

ERDF budget: EUR 97 350.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Intercommunale Leiedal

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Aalborg University

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Agency for Communication, Organization and Management

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Amt Huettener Berge

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Eidskog

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Gemeente Oldambt

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Groningen Internet Exchange Foundation

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Grue

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Innland County Council

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Middelfart Municipality

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

University of Lincoln

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Vejle Municipality

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Länsstyrelsen Värmland

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Syddjurs

COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Project acronym: CORA

Project start date: 2017-07-01

Project end date: 2023-06-30

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 4 645 320.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 098 298.00

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, .

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 INTERREG VB North Sea

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2023-02-14

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

73 / 73 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

871 / 871 (100%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme. Achievements were retrieved by Interact from the Programme website (http://www.northsearegion.eu/), or a website directly linked from it, on 2021-09-20 and 2023-01-12.

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COnnecting Remote Areas with digital infrastructure and services

Description

Thematic information

Partners (16)

Partners map

Summary

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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