By The SmartCommUnity Final Conference, held on 2 October 2025 at the historic Historisches Kaufhaus in Freiburg, brought together experts, policymakers, mayors, and young innovators from across the Alpine region to explore how digitalisation can strengthen rural communities and improve quality of life.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from VRSO hosts and Dr. Jure Trilar, followed by two inspiring keynote speeches.
Dr. Bettina Distel from the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) illustrated how smart regional strategies can enhance local wellbeing, while Dr. Matthias Berg from Fraunhofer IESE shared practical examples of digital solutions specifically designed for rural areas.
Throughout the day, participants learned about the SmartCommUnity Test Areas and their experiences in developing smart regional ecosystems and digital solutions created within the project.
A dynamic session with the EUSALP Youth Council and a local school showcased how young people envision the future of their communities.
One of the highlights was a panel discussion of mayors, moderated by Thomas Egger, featuring the mayors of Elzach, Winden im Elztal, and Amlach, together with regional development experts. The discussion provided concrete examples of how cross-border cooperation and digital innovation can strengthen local governance.
The conference concluded with final reflections and future perspectives from Gianluca Lentini and Carlo Vigna, who summarised the project’s results and outlined opportunities for continued cooperation across the Alpine arc.
The SmartCommUnity synopsis booklet, which includes project results, tested solutions from pilot areas, policy and implementation recommendations, and the project’s legacy, is available on the innovation portal smart-alps.eu and through the Smart Alps network, ensuring the project’s impact will continue in the years to come.
