The Smart Villages and Rural Communities Forum took place on 5–6 October 2026 at the Amadria Park Jure Hotel in Šibenik. Verica Mušić, President of the Croatian Rural Development Network (HMRR), participated as a panellist.
The Forum brought together representatives of public administration, development agencies, Local Action Groups, entrepreneurs and farmers to exchange experiences and discuss the future of Croatian villages.
The programme focused on issues essential to quality of life and rural development: enabling young people to stay in rural areas, access to services, entrepreneurship, smart and sustainable agriculture, and cooperation among local stakeholders. These topics share a common need for collaboration and solutions that respond to residents’ actual needs.
The development of smart villages starts with people, their ideas and collective action. Modern technologies can support this process, improve access to services and create new opportunities to live and work in rural areas while preserving natural resources and local heritage.
For HMRR, it is particularly important that residents actively participate in shaping the future of their communities. Connecting local stakeholders, sharing knowledge and building strong partnerships lay the foundations for rural areas where people want to stay, work and build their future.
More information about the event and programme.
