Building the future for Remote Areas [2/2] – Connectivity to Spark Rural Innovation

Join us on 13 October 2021 at 11:30 CET for an interactive virtual discussion on Connectivity Sparking Rural Innovation, an event organised by EU40, the European Parliament RUMRA and Smart Villages Intergroup & REInA (Rural European Innovation Area). The aim of the event is to bring to light innovative solutions on implementing smart technologies in rural, remote, and sparsely populated areas. We’ll be bringing together policymakers from the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Committee of the Regions, alongside industry leaders.

This discussion is an official side event of the 19th annual European Week of Regions and Cities. 

As a follow-up to the first virtual event held on July 6 with European Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica, organised to discuss the results of the European Commission Long Term Vision for Rural Areas, this session is aimed at giving a closer look at connectivity of remote areas as a crucial tool for the development and well-being of the citizens of Europe.  Strong innovation ecosystems and widespread reliable connectivity are the starting point to build smart villages with public and private players: this is the only opportunity to allow the rural communities to thrive again.

Rural and remote areas compose roughly 83% of the EU territory and are home to one third of EU citizens. Aside from this, the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly accelerated the trend of living a life farther from the big cities and closer to nature. However, working and living in such areas is not always easy. 

Innovation and sustainability are the key words: innovative ecosystems can provide highly skilled jobs in technology areas and a new future for rural communities.  A strong connectivity can bring new life to these areas, improving the quality of life through access to services such as e-health, digital learning and a broad range of e-government. It can increase social inclusion and wellbeing of those in rural communities as it provides opportunities to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life.

Better connectivity in rural areas and innovative solutions will also encourage some businesses to relocate in rural communities and enjoy lower input costs. This in turn will help diversify and develop the rural economy and decongest urban areas. But – this vision can not be achieved unless we build and sustain a true inter-connected network and a solid connectivity.

Speakers:

– Isidro Laso Ballesteros, Senior Member of the Cabinet of European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel

Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament 

– Cllr. Enda Stenson, Rapporteur for the Revitalisation of rural areas through Smart Villages, European Committee of the Regions

– Reinald Krüger, Group Policy & Public Affairs Director, Vodafone

– Sandra Isabel Novo, Founder & CEO Market Sostenibles Startup

Moderator, Méabh Mc Mahon, Journalist Euronews

 

This is part 2 (of 2) of the “Building the Future for Remote Areas” series.  Part 1 took place place on July 6th.

Join the conversation online! Don’t forget to tag @EU40

#EURegionsWeek | #RuralConnectivity | #RemoteAreas