Smart Villages win for Inishowen

This week two new free ‘Smart Village’ training courses start in Malin Head and Newtowncunningham.

So what is a ‘Smart Village’?

Why should the concept interest Inishowen communities?

It’s about jobs and a better quality of life.

The development of the ‘Smart Village’ idea grew through the EU’s LEADER programme which started in 1991. The programme focused on rural development throughout the EU.

The ‘Smart Village’ aim is to help keep people in – and attract people to – economically viable rural communities.

Using modern technology, be it broadband or wireless, together with coming up with new ideas and solutions for local issues – such as securing jobs, improving transport, supplying energy – are central to the ‘Smart Village’ concept.

The Government set up a ‘Smart Community’ initiative in 2019 aimed to improve rural life by using up-to-date communication technology to create jobs and improve community resources.

Now, Inishowen Development Partnership with eTownz are running ‘Smart Village’ training courses in Malin Head and in Newtowncunningham.

The aim is to create a ‘Smart Village’ core group trained to bring about positive local change..

The group will be able to establish innovative projects that deliver a practical outcome for the local community.

Project management, planning, collaborative, and technical skills will be developed over the course.

So if you want to help create jobs in the community, or want to improve community resources then get involved.

The Newtowncunningham meeting is on in the local Orange Hall on Tuesday October 24 7-9:30pm.

The Malin Head meeting is on in the Community Hall on Thursday October 27 6:30-9:30pm.

Extensive information about what’s on offer is available at the website for the courses – training.etownz.ie/inishowen

Some examples of the ‘Smart Village’ concept in Ireland are presented at smartrural21

Information from the EU is here at europa.eu

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