Virtsu selected for EU funded smart village project
The small town of Virtsu in Pärnu County has been selected as one of 16 European rural areas to participate in a project to make smart villages in small communities, beating over 700 candidates.
The project is called "Smart Rural 21" and is funded by the European Commission.
The community will now receive 18 months of support and international cooperation to create a development program. This will help find new solutions to attract business, tourists and to preserve rural life, ETV's "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported on Tuesday evening.
Jüri Mõniste, chairman of the board of Virtsu Development Society, said the key issue is to bring young people to the country.
"The current community is old enough. A lot of people have come to spend their retirement in Virtsu, but in order for the community to function younger families are needed. Virtsu has had better and worse times and we hope for slightly better times again," Mõniste said.
The 'Preparatory Action on Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century' (Smart Rural 21) project is a 2.5 year project supported by the European Commission with the aim to promote and inspire villages to develop and implement smart village approaches and strategies across Europe.
The project started in December 2019 and will conclude in June 2022.
--
Download the ERR News app for Android and iOS now and never miss an update!
Editor: Helen Wright