Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Experts from the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (IMRI) have analyzed international experience in developing "smart villages."

The "smart villages" concept is not merely about digital transformation of rural areas but also introduces a new perspective on their development.

In China, the "Smart Baihu Village" project established online sales for over 80 types of agricultural products, helping lift more than 30,000 people out of poverty. E-commerce has played a critical role in China’s poverty alleviation, with more than 20,000 sellers joining the “Platform 832” (an online marketplace for agricultural products from poor regions), generating 13.6 billion yuan in 2022—a 20% increase over the previous year.

In Spain, coworking spaces launched as part of the COWOCAT Rural project have become an economic growth driver for rural areas facing depopulation. Over 18 coworking spaces and 130 specialists have joined the network, fostering a robust rural coworking community. The project also promoted coworking culture among youth, introducing training programs in two Spanish educational institutions. Rovira i Virgili University in Tortosa established a rural coworking space to engage students and educators with this concept.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the "Pamoja Net" project provided internet access on Idjwi Island. With support from local businesses and a partnership with technology firm Fjord, over 3,900 people gained internet access. Local businesses, leveraging the new opportunities, now finance 60% of the project’s monthly operating costs.

In Azerbaijan, the smart village of Agali has become a model of renewable energy use and digital technology integration. This energy-autonomous settlement meets its energy needs with solar, wind, and hydropower sources. Every building in Agali is equipped with fiber insulation, electrode water heaters, solar panels, and other green technologies.

Uzbekistan is also actively implementing digital technology initiatives in agriculture to enhance resilience and productivity in rural communities. In 2023, Uzbek farmers participated in the FAO project "Smart Agriculture for Future Generations" and the FAO’s "Digital Villages" initiative aimed at creating 1,000 digital villages worldwide. The villages of Novkent and Yuksalish in the Fergana Valley were selected for pilot projects.