Smart village - using new opportunities in the development of rural areas

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to identify new opportunities for the development of rural areas. A contribution to this should be the combination of modern tools and technologies that affect the improvement of the quality of life and the possibility of creating new jobs in rural areas. Design/methodology/approach: The paper employs the desk research method in the form of an analysis. The analysis of the available literature on the subject on smart villages and the examples of smart villages described in the paper rendered it possible to establish the facts, verify the data and present the results. Findings: The considerations presented in the article indicate that a key element in smart villages is smart human resources that respond to challenges and changes occurring in rural areas. In order to make a real change in a given area, collective action is required rather than individual, and, depending on incentives and local circumstances, these initiatives may prioritise economic, social or environmental issues - or a combination thereof. Practical implications: A common space for development and shared commitment of the rural population enables building social ties as an integral functioning of Smart Villages. Social implications: The needs of the rural community should always come first and the implemented solutions should be adjusted according to these needs, bearing in mind what resources that a given community has. Originality/value: The article is an original approach to the search for intelligent solutions that are meant to improve the development of rural areas and make life easier for rural residents.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MEiN, umowa nr SONP/SP/546092/2022 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2022-2023).