Smart Villages (SEROI+) in English

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Smart villages (seroi+)

Transnational cooperation project

The project aimed to introduce the concept of Smart Villages to local residents and help rural communities design and create improved services and operational models through experimental initiatives. The local actions focused on testing and refining the SEROI+ methodology and collaboration model. These tools enable broad stakeholder involvement and help assess the economic, environmental, and social impacts of planned actions. 

The SEROI framework emphasizes the social and ecological benefits (SE – Social and Ecological) of various actions, particularly their measurement in monetary terms (ROI – Return On Investment). International collaboration added value to the experimental local actions and supported Smart Villages activities in the Ravakka region. 

The project aligned with the themes of Leader Ravakka’s Loisto Strategy: knowledge, innovation, partnerships, and international cooperation. It fostered new innovations and enhanced local expertise by leveraging partnerships and international exchanges. The project also supported the strategy’s Focus Area for the Working Population by creating service and operational models that promote cross-sector collaboration among different stakeholders. 

The 5 Steps of the SEROI+ Method

  1. Identify Key Stakeholders: Determine the most important stakeholder groups for the area / project being developed. 
  2. Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with representatives from various stakeholder groups to define their most important goals. 
  3. Prioritize Actions: Select the most beneficial and feasible actions for implementation. 
  4. Set Indicators: Establish metrics to measure the benefits of the outcomes (and use the calculator to estimate the potential impact). 
  5. Implement and Monitor: Execute the plan, monitor its success, and adjust the actions as needed. 

ACTIONS AND OUTCOMES 

International Collaboration 

  • Developed the SEROI+ calculator for various experiments. 
  • Produced a video introducing the methodology. 
  • Organized study trips to Aosta (Italy), Kilkenny (Ireland), and the Ravakka region (Finland). Held the final seminar in Connemara, Ireland. Representatives from the cities of Laitila and Rauma participated in the study trips. 
  • Created instructional videos about using the calculator, available on YouTube. 

Local Activities in Finland 

  • Organized Village Hopping tours in Northern Satakunta and the Ravakka region. 
  • Promoted the Smart Villages concept through the new Smart Village Project Model in 2023–2024, initiating several preparatory projects. 
  • Engaged children in improving their school environments during village school visits in Laitila. 
  • Explored remote work opportunities in Laitila and Rauma to support development in this area. 

Collaboration with Local Projects 

The primary focus in the latter stages of the project was collaboration with the Sustainable Development of Laitila Town Center (LaKeKe) project and the development and testing of a lighter SEROI methodology with two villages in Rauma. 

Laitila Town Center (LaKeKe): 

  • Worked with diverse stakeholders to refine the SEROI+ method through individual and group discussions. 
  • Assessed the social, economic, and ecological impacts of development actions using the SEROI+ calculator. 
  • Presented the methodology and its results at the LaKeKe project’s closing seminar. 

Rauma Villages (Unaja and Anttila-Voiluoto): 

  • Collaborated with stakeholders, including the elderly and working-age residents, to support village development. 
  • Conducted workshops that explored tools from project materials. 
  • Developed a Community-Based Village Development Method and a PowerPoint tool, both publicly available on Ravakka’s website. (linkki) 
  • Organized new events in 2024, such as ”crafting evenings” inspired by project ideas in Unaja. 

This page has been translated by AI and modified by Leader Ravakka. 

TIME PERIOD

16.1.2018-31.12.2020

BUDGET

69 900 € of which 90% was covered by public funding

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

  • Lider Bistriţa Năsăud, Romania
  • Asociația Grupul de Acțiune Locală Lider Cluj, Romania
  • Association Grupul de Acțiune Locală Napoca Porolissum, Romania
  • Kehittämisyhdistys Kalakukko ry, Finland

toimisto(at)ravakka.fi

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23500 UUSIKAUPUNKI

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