85%
of data-centre energy recovered as usable heat
72h
of backup power per settlement
27
settlements planned, one per EU country
30–70%
possible EU grant funding, by region
A network of self-sufficient digital settlements
There are many concepts of “smart villages.” What they share is an awareness of rapid change, in technology, the economy, and global competition. Smart Solutions is one answer to that: a network of self-sufficient digital settlements built to meet five needs facing European communities.
01
Speeding up the adoption of digital and energy technology at the local level
02
Raising practical, everyday knowledge of digital tools and their benefits
03
Reversing the drift of young, active people away from small towns and rural areas
04
Sharpening the competitiveness of local products and services
05
Deepening a shared sense of identity and cultural heritage
Smart isn’t about adding more gadgets, it’s about using digital tools to make the most of what’s already there. A place’s resources, environment, and history are more valuable than residents often realize, and digital tools can unlock that value.
Six systems in every settlement
01
Connected homes
5–20 houses (120–140 m² each) fitted with the latest fibre, 5G, and IoT sensing — useful for security and for monitoring the property.
02
Green data centre
A ~100 kW compute hub at the centre of the estate powers local digital services. Heat recovered from it supplies hot water (75°C) and heating and cooling to every home.
03
Food resilience
On-site freeze-drying equipment keeps residents supplied during power outages, and can run continuously as a service to the wider community.
04
Independent water
Its own well or independent source, with a micro-treatment plant — not dependent on the municipal system.
05
Green energy
Power sourced from local renewable producers or generated on site, depending on local conditions.
06
Energy storage
Battery storage (BESS) keeps the settlement running for up to 72 hours until recharged.
Each settlement is a window onto a shared digital economy
Residents can digitize local resources — products, services, skills, heritage — and list them for trade across the network.
01
Demand appears
A person or platform elsewhere expresses interest in a resource.
02
Local staff respond
Platform operators in that area digitize the resource and add it to the network.
03
Identity is verified
Customers get a digital profile and settlement account with a partner bank.
04
Settlement happens
Transactions run through e-commerce systems and digital wallets, in line with EU digital-asset rules (MiCA).
Some residents work as platform operators serving their local area, gaining digital skills and income — no degree required, and part of the earnings can be folded into rent. Data generated this way also becomes a resource for future AI-based services.
Four shifts on the ground
Keeps people rooted
Real digital infrastructure and 5G let rural living compete with the city, helping stem the outflow of young people.
Raises competitiveness
Local computing power supports new digital products — digital twins, simulators — that regions couldn’t build alone.
Builds skills and income
Hands-on digital work, accessible without formal qualifications.
Strengthens identity
Local resources and history get catalogued and shared digitally, deepening ties to place.
From three pilots to a European network
Phase 1 — Pilot
24 months
One full settlement in each of three pilot countries, with the power centre, digital platform, and pilot food-resilience services.
Phase 2 — European rollout
48–60 months
More settlements across EU countries, connected to the shared platform — scaling toward 27 countries.
Global extension
Post-rollout
Extending the model worldwide once the European network is established.