SMART ERA

👩⚕️💉 What happens when going to the doctor becomes a challenge? In nine villages across Bulgarian region Devetaki Plateau, a lack of public transport makes it hard for people to access health services, while limited health knowledge adds extra pressure on local doctors. 🔧 #SMARTERAeu is working to change this through a user-friendly telemedicine tool and information sessions on the most common health issues in rural areas. Our project is bringing healthcare closer, one village at a time. Find out more ➡️ link in the first comment!

What are the main challenges for rural areas across Europe? 🗣️ Maria Carla Lostrangio from AEIDL (European Association for Innovation in Local Development), a key partner in our project, sheds light on this question in this latest #SMARTERAeu video interview! 📽️ Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/d-Hfb4fM

🚨 LAST CALL! Are you an innovator ready to make a real impact in rural areas across Europe? Only a few days left to apply for the #SMARTERAeu 1st Open Call for Pilot Add-ons! 📥 Submit your proposal by 4 November and become part of the SMART ERA transformation: https://bit.ly/45Fxpqv #SMARTERAOpenCall

🇭🇷 For our Croatian-speaking friends and partners! Our project gained strong visibility during the 10th edition of the Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week. Presented by the Croatian coordinators of Pillar 4 – Sustainable Tourism of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic - Ionian Region - EUSAIR, the project showcased how innovation and community engagement are driving the transformation of rural areas. A great example of how macro-regional strategies turn collaboration into real outcomes for local communities. Read more in the local language: https://lnkd.in/ds-mjSz7

This week, #SMARTERAeu partners Emilija Stojmenova Duh from University of Ljubljana, Matteo Gerosa from Fondazione Bruno Kessler - FBK and Alessandro Luè from Consorzio Poliedra participated in the "Digital Lifelines for Left-Behind Regions: Reviving Rural Potential Through Smart Tools" workshop at the 2025 European Week of Cities and Regions. The session addressed the issue of rural areas losing people, services and economic opportunities, and what can be done about it. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/di-VYqMN

Ready to make an impact? 🎯 Choose your Challenge and apply to the #SMARTERAOpenCall! You can choose one (or two) of the Challenges defined by the #SMARTERAeu consortium, designed to address the specific needs and gaps identified across the 6 SMART ERA pilot regions: 🌽 Information system for tracing agrifood production 🚜 Information system for pasture ecosystem monitoring 🤖 AI Chatbot for personalized touristic experience 💻 AI tool for micro-farming management 💰 Smart Economy Service Platform 🛒 AI-Assisted Conceptualization of Rural Businesses Based on Deep Local Knowledge 👩🌾 Smart B2B platform for the agro-tourism sector 🎒 SMART platform for personalized tourism experience 🚗 Mobile App for mobility on demand 🦾 AI GP Support System 🗺️ Map-based digital platform for rural tourism information, promotion and tailor made trips Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dM3EACdi

How can innovation thrive in rural Europe? 🗞️ This conference paper, presented by Fondazione Bruno Kessler - FBK and Provincia Autonoma di Trento within the #SMARTERAeu project, explores how digital and sustainable solutions are reshaping rural regions across Europe, with a special focus on the our Trentino pilot region. From smart mobility to energy communities and digital tools for local engagement, the paper highlights how Trentino is becoming a living laboratory for rural innovation and community-led transformation. 🇮🇹 Read the full paper in Italian here: https://lnkd.in/d6uU-AGc

🎯 Who can apply to the #SMARTERAOpenCall? Our open call is exclusively open to organizations that are: ✅ Registered in EU Member States ✅ Based in EU Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) ✅ Located in Associated Countries (ACs) to Horizon Europe If your organization fits one of these categories, you’re eligible to apply! 📅 Check the full call details and submit your application: https://lnkd.in/dM3EACdi

🗓 Mark your calendars! On Thursday, October 16, join us for the SMART ERA 1st Open Call for Pilots Add-ons – 2nd Webinar: Q&A. This is your chance to get all your queries solved! 💡 Agenda: 1️⃣ Welcome & introduction  2️⃣ The most common questions 3️⃣ Questions raised during the Open Call 4️⃣ Attendants' questions 5️⃣ Closing Discover more and register here: https://lnkd.in/ducWUsgT

How can we design socio-technical systems that truly reflect the realities of rural communities? 🗞️ In this #SMARTERAeu paper, we explore the limits of urban-centered innovation approaches and introduce a toolkit to support more inclusive, grounded design processes in rural contexts. The toolkit encourages reflection on often-overlooked dimensions (social, economic, political, technological, and infrastructural) and offers simple, hands-on materials to spark dialogue, self-awareness, and creative action. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dDCEVTbS