Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2026-06-08

Description

Description (EN):

In Central Europe approx. 30% of people live in rural regions. Therefore, the quality of life of nearly one third of the people in Central Europe depends on the quality and level of rural development, as well as the conditions for development of rural SMEs. In this respect, regardless of the country, most rural areas within Central Europe are still lagging behind and suffering from a variety of problems such as low level of entrepreneurship and digitalization, the outflow of mainly young residents and ageing population. The objective of “More than a Village” project is to test and develop different models of a smart village in the Central Europe region context that will increase the attractiveness of rural areas and create favourable conditions for local businesses. By exploiting the potential of rural regions, the project will aim to create new jobs, stabilize rural population and strengthen economic resilience of non-urban areas. The project's innovation lies in the innovativeness of its smart village approach which is still not widespread in Central Europe. The main project's outputs are: 1) joint strategy on smart village transition, followed by action plans for selected territories, 2) three pilot actions consisting of testing different smart village models, 3) joint solutions to be applied in rural areas in CE and beyond. The direct beneficiaries of these outputs are small businesses, local communities, local authorities, active NGOs, local action groups and other stakeholders, who would benefit from smart village instruments to improve attractiveness and competitiveness of rural areas. Problems related to improving attractiveness and development in rural areas are complex and specific to all 5 countries participating in the project (PL, HU, SI, HR and IT). Therefore, the transnational cooperation will help to exchange experience and find joint solutions.

Actual Achievements (EN):

In the first year of project implementation, project partners worked on activities related to building a joint approach and strategy for making the villages smarter. Under the coordination of Poliedra, the partnership gained a common understanding and approach to improving the competitiveness of SMEs and increasing the attractiveness of villages through the smart village approach. An important part of this process has been involving stakeholders through a participative, multi-level approach. Within the first project work package, stakeholder groups were established. Project partners conducted a survey with the stakeholders to analse the current status of smart village implementation in the different countries. Good practices, as well as existing tools and solutions, have been analysed and collected. As a result of these activities, the foundation for the development of the joint strategy for smart village transition has been built. The joint strategy has been devleoped by Poliedra with the input from all PPs, and the main criteria and tools for smartness assessment and recommendations for smart village creation have been prepared. At the local and regional level, a transnational action plan including five project territories has been developed (South Warmia, Genoese Apennines, Hajdú-Bihar, Pomurje, Buzet). To enhance the transnational exchange of experience, two in-person meetings and study visits were organised. The first one, to Poland to South Warmia, was organised by the Lead Partner, LocaI Action Group Association "South Warmia", and the second, to the Genoese Appenine, was organised by Anci Liguria. During the visits, interesting good practices were highlighted that will inspire the next project activities. More than a Village project activities were focused on the implementation of pilot actions for the testing of a smart village approach within the context of business development, agri-food sector and tourism. These are: creation of the smart village in Marcinkowo in Poland, Digital Silver Economy Hub in Hajdú-Bihar County, co-working space in Valpocevera valley including tourism promotion, innovation system for reduction of food loss and waste in Murska Sobota and virtual agri-food web platform in Buzet, Croatia. PPs implementing pilots (LAG SW, HBCG, Buzet, ITC and ANCIL) continued their activities related to pilot implementation, keeping in mind that tool preparation is starting, which will build on the results of the pilots conducted. In order to make an ongoing check in the progress of pilots, continuous exchange between partners took place through both physcial and online meetings, and email correspondence. On 20 January 2025 the mid-term review of pilots took place, where all pilots were presented by their leaders, and also the most critical points of the pilots were discussed with the JS. Moreover, planning for WP 3 already started, since both pilots and the solutions are planned to be finalised by June 2025. In this reporting period, a study visit was organised by PP4-ITC to Murska Sobota, Pomurje (Slovenia) on 9-10 October 2024 to explore interesting and good practices in this territory related to cross-sectoral innovation and implementation of novel technologies and ICT in rural-based sectors: a visit to Green point short food supply chain, Hudo Dobro and Kodila Gourmet. As regards communication and dissemination activities, PP02 Balteus, as the Communication Manager, was responsible for the communication and dissemination activities within the project. Two new videos have been prepared and published from the study visits. Based on the information provided by project partners, the project ensured ongoing communication of the project through the use of social media channels and the More than a Village project website.

Project outputs: Joint strategy on smart village transition(EN)
Transnational action plan for smart village transition in PL, IT, HU, SI and HR(EN)
Organisations cooperating across borders(EN)
Pilot 1. Business support and digitalisation smart village(EN)
Pilot 2. Smart tourism village(EN)
Pilot 3. Smart agriculture village(EN)
Smart village business support tool(EN)
Smart tourism village tool(EN)
Agri-food smart village tool(EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/more-than-a-village/

Thematic information

ICT and digital society Labour market and employment

Priority: (VI-B_CE_1) Cooperating for a smarter central Europe

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 013 Digitising SMEs (including e-Commerce, e-Business and networked business processes, digital innovation hubs, living labs, web entrepreneurs and ICT start-ups, B2B)

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Lokalna Grupa Działania Stowarzyszenie "Południowa Warmia"

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL7393637607

Address: Łajsy, 11-036 Gietrzwałd, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.poludniowawarmia.pl

Total budget: EUR 257 010.69

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 205 608.55

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 51 402.14

Contractors:

Name: Projectiff Sp. z o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: PL5272741486

ANCI Liguria

Name: ANCI Liguria

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT80101610105

Address: Piazza Matteotti, 16123 Genova, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.anciliguria.it

Total budget: EUR 176 116.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 140 892.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 223.20

Contractors:

Name: Ristorante Bertin
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03555890106
Name: Ristorante Tre Merli
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03572430100
Name: Gatto giuseppe Claudio
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01067320992
Name: Nkenfack Prosper
VAT registration or tax identification number: 04708300233
Name: Nicoletta de Luchi
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02150150999
Name: Nadasi Alessandro
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03317030108
Name: Albero Generoso Soc Coop
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03668150109
Name: Lodigiani Rosaleen
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01989840994
Name: GS Sistemi sr
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01885880789
Name: Computer Union srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03303930105
Name: AZIENDA AGRICOLA ARMATO
VAT registration or tax identification number: 01356100089
Name: D.A.F.N.E. SOC. COOP
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03463700108
Name: TELENORD SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 00945590107

Poliedra – Centro di servizio e consulenza del Politecnico di Milano su pianificazione ambientale

Name: Poliedra – Centro di servizio e consulenza del Politecnico di Milano su pianificazione ambientale

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998196155

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT12903700156

Address: Via G. Colombo, 20133 Milano, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.poliedra.polimi.it

Total budget: EUR 223 776.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 179 020.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 44 755.20

Contractors:

Name: Dr. Leonardi Massimo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 12387890960

Grad Buzet

Name: Grad Buzet

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR77489969256

Address: II. istarske brigade, 52420 Buzet, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.buzet.hr/

Total budget: EUR 197 972.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 158 377.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 39 594.40

Contractors:

Name: FIRMA PRO EVENTS d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR04421772834
Name: GHIA STAFF d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR48582298827
Name: STUDIO 11
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR56397826226
Name: PLZET d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR16882121210
Name: E-scape - OBRT
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR37085646022
Name: ISTRA STREAM d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR50683369940
Name: Plzet d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR16882121210

Institut za razvoj i međunarodne odnose

Name: Institut za razvoj i međunarodne odnose

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 995955843

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR31120185175

Address: Vukotinovićeva, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.irmo.hr

Total budget: EUR 196 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 156 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 39 200.00

ITC – Inovacijsko Tehnološki Grozd Murska Sobota

Name: ITC – Inovacijsko Tehnološki Grozd Murska Sobota

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937057540

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI51545535

Address: Lendavska ulica, 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://www.itc-cluster.com

Total budget: EUR 191 520.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 153 216.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 304.00

Hajdú-Bihar Vármegye Önkormányzata

Name: Hajdú-Bihar Vármegye Önkormányzata

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 933695908

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU15728317

Address: Piac utca, 4024 Debrecen, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.hbmo.hu/

Total budget: EUR 183 340.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 146 672.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 668.00

Contractors:

Name: ETIAM Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 24909707-2-06
Name: TTR Invest Beruházó Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 26510705-2-13
Name: B-Solution Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 15728317-2-09

Fundacja Balteus

Name: Fundacja Balteus

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL8513201038

Address: Cyfrowa, 71-441 Sczecin, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.balteus.eu

Total budget: EUR 192 630.05

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 154 104.04

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 526.01

Agenzia di Sviluppo GAL Genovese S.r.l.

Name: Agenzia di Sviluppo GAL Genovese S.r.l.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT01094850995

Address: Piazza Matteotti, 16123 Genova, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.agenziadisviluppogalgenovese.com/

Total budget: EUR 176 116.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 140 892.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 223.20

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

ANCI Liguria

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Poliedra – research and consultancy centre of Milan’s Polytechnic University

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Grad Buzet

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Institute for Development and International Relations

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

ITC – Innovation Technology Cluster Murska Sobota

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Hajdú - Bihar County Government

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Foundation Balteus

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

LocaI Action Group Association "South Warmia"

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Development Agency LAG Genoese

Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Project acronym: More than a Village

Project ID: CE0100085

Project start date: 2023-04-01

Project end date: 2026-03-31

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

The H2020 DEMETER (EN) | Developed results on digital transformation of agri-food sector will be considered and implemented in order to empower rural agriculture businesses. The results will enable the “More than a Village” project go a step further and create efficient technology for reducing Food Loss and Waste (FLW) in the Agri-food value chain. Synergies will be exploited through document analysis and direct contracts to the lead institutions of these projects. (EN), Ploutos project (EN) | The solutions proposed by the project will be developed and used to enhance digital support services in rural agricultural sector. The project’s approach focused on reusing and extending technologies which make the new business models possible and enable greater and more effective flow of data to farmers (such as advisory services) and from farmers (producing data services) will be in depth analysed and adapted within new regions. (EN), Cities2030 project (EN) | The project has worked out a solid basis on transforming and restructuring of the way systems produce, transport and supply, recycle and reuse food. Its conclusions and solutions will be analysed and used in order to develop efficient technology reducing Food Loss and Waste (FLW) in the Agri-food value chain as well as in designing and implementing digital markets for rural businesses. (EN), ‘Preparatory Action on Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ (Smart Rural 21) (EN) | Smart Rural 21 is a two and a half-year project supported by the European Commission (DG AGRI) with the overall aim to promote and inspire villages to develop and implement smart village approaches and strategies across Europe, and to draw conclusions and support future policy interventions on smart villages. The project started in December 2019 and will conclude in June 2022. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 618 364.74

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 294 691.79

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 294 691.79. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Kick-off meeting for establishing joint cooperation among PPs
Knowledge management handbook describing working methodology and proposed knowledge management tools
Stakeholders mapping
Survey and report from collecting data from stakeholders
Report from the analysis of good practices in smart village creation and implementation
Report from the existing tools and solutions
Main criteria and tools for smartness assessment and recommendation for smart village creation
Final report with the joint strategy
Transnational Action Plan (South Warmia, Genoese Apennines, Hajdú-Bihar, Pomurje, Buzet)
Dissemination of the joint strategy and action plans
Final report from stakeholders involvement in WP 1
Online partner meetings, SC meeting
Joint approach and methodology for pilot planning, implementation and evaluation
Report from stakeholders involvement (meetings, networking, experience sharing, communication)
Partner meeting, SC meeting, study visit in Genoese Apennines, Italy (ANCIL)
Designing and testing a new Smart Village Hub in South Warmia, Poland
Piloting a new Digital Silver Economy Hub in Hajdú-Bihar County, Hungary
Improvement of smart tourism services in 1 valley of the Genoese Apennines, Italy
Innovation system for reduction of food loss and waste in Murska Sobota, Slovenia
Virtual agri-food web platform in Buzet, Croatia
Study visits for transnational review and discussion on pilot actions
Final reports from action plans implementation
Mid-term evaluation
Final evaluation
Final report, incl. consultations with external stakeholders
Smart village business support tool
Smart tourism village tool
Agri-food smart village tool
Transnational workshops for tools up-take, incl. letters of commitment signed
Road Show with public events in all participating regions, incl. study visit to HU
Policy recommendations document
Presentation in events at regional-national-EU level, targeted meetings with policy-makers
Transnational document and formal agreement for sustaining the "More than a Village" network

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion With Croatia and Slovenia as Adriatic and Ionian Region country, the project contributes to EUAIR, Pillar 4: Sustainable tourism, Topic 1: Diversified tourism offer (products and services). The project will enhance the diversification of the macro-region’s products and services by supporting digitalisation of tourist-related businesses.
EUStrategyAlpineRegion With Italy in the Alpine Region, the project contributes to EUSAR in PA 1: Economic growth and innovation and PA 3: Environment and energy. The project will support economic growth of rural regions, implementation of ICT within SMEs as well as sustainable development of businesses.
EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion With Poland being a Baltic Sea Region country, the project contributes to EUSBSR PA Spatial Planning, PA Tourism and PA Innovation through incorporating the concept of Smart Village and involving stakeholders in rural development issues. The project works to improve attractiveness and competitiveness of rural areas and therefore advocates spatial cohesion of diverse regions. Moreover, the project aims to attract tourists to non-urban areas by strengthening local entrepreneurs such as hotels, restaurants, spas owners.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion With Croatia, Hungry and Slovenia being Danube Region countries, the project contributes to EUSDR in PA 3 (Culture & Tourism), PA 08 (Competitiveness of Enterprises) and PA 10 (Institutional Capacity and Cooperation): By digitalizing tourist facilities such as as hotels, restaurants, spas owners the project will enhance attractiveness of rural regions and increase the number of tourists visiting these areas. Moreover, the project will provide efficient support and technical assistance for local SMEs and therefore, improve their competitiveness. By focusing on rural areas, the project contributes also to increase local capacity and development.
EuropeanGreenDeal By supporting the competitiveness and attractiveness of rural regions and creating favourable conditions for local rural businesses, the project “More than a Village” aims to transform the EU into a modern and competitive economy and ensure that non-urban areas are not left behind. In addition, the project works towards the preservation and creation of new jobs, improving workers’ competences.
TerritorialAgenda2030 Through the creation of business support and digitalization of rural areas, the project reduces inequalities in access to quality works and services. Activities carried out under the project contribute to the development of rural regions and improve territorial cohesion by reducing the innovation gap of these areas.
Other EU Action for Smart Villages - policy initiative of the European Commission (April 2017) for developing and implementing policy initiatives which contribute to Smart Villages. The "More than a Village" project contributes to the following actions of this initiative: Smart specialisation platform agri-food, Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH), Thematic working group on Smart Rural Businesses.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 3.0
(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 16.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR79) Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations: 2.0

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-06

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

125 / 125 (100%)

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

1 181 / 1 181 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Smart village transition, a model for more competitive and attractive villages in Central Europe

Description

Thematic information

Partners (9)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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