Towards Smart Coastal Area’s

Project n°28

INTRODUCTION

“In the midst of the pandemic, six Latvian local action groups from the coast came together to empower their fishing villages by guiding them on the path to becoming smart villages. The goal was to build resilience in these coastal communities and inspire them to discover their strengths by piloting smart village solutions. Over the course of two years, we embarked on a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs alongside six incredible communities stretching from the North to the South of Latvia. These communities connected both in person and online, uncovering their strengths and weaknesses, identifying their needs, and learning together. Through shared laughter and tears, they gained new knowledge and implemented their own smart solutions to tackle six unique challenges—one in each village. It was a remarkable journey that transformed the lives of many, revealing the magic of local collaboration and deepening the love they have for their villages.”

PRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT

“Six pilot communities along the Latvian coastline embraced the smart village approach through a carefully structured project. The journey began with identifying and training local leaders in community building, smart village concepts, and leadership. With support from professional trainers, each community conducted a SWOT analysis, fostering local activities to better understand their needs. A key highlight was the local and international exchange trips, particularly to our Finnish partner, which strengthened bonds among community leaders, enabling ongoing communication and support.

The communities then identified their main challenges and worked through mini hackathons with trainers and mentors to develop solutions. The best ideas were awarded and implemented, resulting in several innovative outcomes: a branding book for Lapmezciems (now known as the smart village ‘Jurciemi’), community websites with local business databases in Bernati and Carnikava, interactive historical tours in Ainazi and Kosrags, a video production course for local entrepreneurs, and four sustainable information boards crafted from beach wood, displaying local history and stories.

Finally, all results were showcased at a final conference, highlighting the project’s success in bringing the smart village approach to life. Some of these pilot communities have now become national examples of smart village innovation, continuing to build on the strategies developed during the project.”

PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES

It was 6 coasts communities that have learned about the smart village approach and that have piloted at least one smart solution for the challenges from their own village needs.

ADDED VALUE OF THE PROJECT

This project, involving six pilot communities along the Latvian coastline, was designed to implement the smart village approach to enhance the resilience and vitality of rural coastal areas. By leveraging the LEADER rural development approach, the project focused on empowering local leaders, fostering collaboration of the community, and developing innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges of each community.

The LEADER approach, with its bottom-up methodology, was central to the success of this project. By prioritizing local needs and leadership, the project ensured that solutions were community-driven and highly relevant to local needs. This allowed for direct involvement from the village residents, ensuring that the strategies developed were both practical and sustainable. The transnational aspect of LEADER also facilitated valuable exchanges with Finnish partners, enriching the project with international perspectives and best practices.

The impact of the project on the territory was significant. Through a series of structured steps—identifying local leaders, providing targeted training, conducting SWOT analyses, and facilitating local activities—the project effectively mobilized six coastal communities from North to South Latvia. These communities began to communicate and support one another, creating a network of smart villages. The project’s activities reached a wide audience, not only within the pilot communities but also across the country, as the final conference and dissemination efforts shared the successes and lessons learned with a broader audience.

LEADER has helped to fostering local development, enhancing community capacity, and promoting innovation in rural areas. By focusing on local empowerment, the project encouraged sustainable economic development, improved quality of life, and helped communities discover and capitalize on their unique strengths. The smart village approach introduced new technologies and practices that aligned with LEADER’s goal of modernizing rural economies while preserving their cultural and environmental assets.

The sustainability of the project is ensured through the strong foundation laid during its implementation. The trained local leaders continue to drive initiatives within their communities, and the networks established between the pilot villages remain active. The practical outcomes serve as enduring resources that will continue to benefit the communities. Additionally, the skills and knowledge gained by local entrepreneurs and residents ensure ongoing innovation and adaptation.

The collaboration with Finnish partners provided valuable insights and helped to strengthen the smart village model in Latvia. The international exchange trips were particularly impactful, as they fostered cross-border relationships that continue to benefit the communities involved. This project has set a precedent for other rural areas in Latvia and beyond, showcasing how the smart village approach, supported by the LEADER framework, can drive meaningful and sustainable rural development.