The “SMART-Y” project was a European initiative aimed at connecting grassroots youth organizations active in rural areas, creating an international network for participation, collaboration, and empowerment of young people aged 18–30. The project focused on sustainability and strengthening youth engagement in addressing local community challenges.
The main objective was to encourage young people to co-create “smart villages” across Europe by developing innovative solutions to sustainability-related issues. Using a bottom-up approach, participants identified local challenges and proposed ideas tailored to the real needs of their communities.
The process included an international hackathon, where young people from different countries collaborated to design practical and innovative solutions. The most promising ideas were further developed through workshops, enabling participants to transform their concepts into tangible prototypes.
In parallel, the project promoted dialogue between young people and decision-makers, contributing to the implementation of the European Youth Goal #10: “Sustainable Green Europe.” Through its activities, it enhanced environmental awareness and encouraged young people to take responsibility for the impact of their lifestyle on the world.
The project brought together organizations from across Europe, including Poland, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Romania, Norway, Austria, Cyprus, and Slovakia, as well as United Societies of Balkans. This transnational collaboration strengthened knowledge exchange and promoted sustainability and youth participation in rural areas.