As part of the European project INSPIRE, MedINA, which leads the pilot activities in Kythera and Konitsa, has created an innovative interactive board game titled “Build your Smart Village!”. Its purpose is to introduce the concept of Smart Villages in a simple, creative, and engaging way.
Smart Villages are rural communities that develop “smart” solutions to address local challenges. They make use of local strengths, innovation, digital technologies, and collaboration to foster sustainable development and improve the economic, social, and environmental well-being of their territories.
The game is based on six thematic areas related to sustainable and participatory governance. Each area is represented by action cards showcasing smart, collective, and innovative initiatives. Participants are invited to select the ideas they consider most relevant for their region, while also contributing their own proposals. In this way, the game creates an interactive environment that sparks imagination and dialogue, while at the same time gathering valuable insights into each community’s needs and priorities. These insights will form the foundation for the future creation of local Smart Village Labs, tailored to local realities and challenges.
The game was used for the first time during an INSPIRE information event in Kythera, on Sunday 14 September, where residents showed strong interest and actively took part. They exchanged information about local initiatives, highlighted similar actions already in place, and proposed new ideas for the island’s future. The event concluded with the distribution of project information material, while discussions on the project’s activities and objectives continued in an open and positive atmosphere.
A second information event followed in Konitsa, on Saturday 27 September, during the Transboundary River Forum concert organized by MedINA. This event offered a lively and interactive opportunity to raise awareness about the project, exchange ideas, and strengthen ties with the local community.
Together, these two events marked the first step in introducing the Smart Villages concept at the local level in Kythera and Konitsa. Most importantly, they opened the way for a meaningful dialogue with the communities themselves, who are the true protagonists of the INSPIRE project.
INSPIRE supports social inclusion, well-being, and rural development through Smart Village Labs, which aim to establish more inclusive governance frameworks. INSPIRE is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
