Smart Local Community Accelerator

We established  the Smart Community Accelerator to create complex programmes for underdeveloped peripheral regions to become smart local communities.

The Accelerator is a programme aimed at improving of local economic competitiveness and solving social problems.
Implementing latest technologies allows to improve the quality of life in rural areas and small cities and stop depopulation.

We work with community foundations and  local governments, to identify the opportunities  that can help these communities to solve social and  developmental problems.

In the Smart Community Accelerator we mobilize and invest technical and financial resources in a specific areas to improve the quality of life and promote community development.

We conduct the following  expert services allowing to identify development oppportunities.

  • Research of the local potentials (economy, society, culture, tradition)
  • Identification of the economic and/or social needs at the local level
  • Proposal of the projects  necessary for the socio-economic development
  • Formulation of the tailored concept of smart community
  •  Development strategy for the rural community
  • Social consultation concerning new projects
  • Promotion activities for new projects

The main characteristics of smart and competitive rural communities are as follows:

Rural broadband. Fast broadband connections are increasingly important for rural areas. To compete and thrive in the modern economy, smart approaches to rural development need to support the provision of such ervices, in often isolated rural areas.

Digital technologies. New technologies can enable rural businesses to reach new and broader markets. They can support rural retailers and producers to build websites. Social media and phone applications giving them direct access to consumer offering the potential to increase both their sales and profit margins.

Market. To support the competitiveness of producers it is essential to look also at ways of developing access to market. It is required support, that can be used to help producers to overcome barriers to accessing existing markets, to develop new or higher value products to expand or create markets.

Rural diversification. Also smart approaches to rural development need to think about the broad rangeof rural economic activities, beyond the key strands of agricultural and forestry production. Diversification can mean rural producers expanding their activities into new areas. Many of which are still closely linked with forestry and farming.

Sustainable communities. Smart approaches to rural development need to ensure that rural communities are vibrant and attractive places to live and work. Ensuring the provision of sustainable rural services – including schools and shops – alongside job creation – can create positive cycles of local development.

smart community accelerator

 

Zabielski Foundation

13/15, Podwale Street
00-252 Warsaw

info@zabielskifoundation.org
tel. (+48) 518 078 003