Description
Raudanmaa is one of the localities selected under the Smart Rural 21 initiative in Finland. The project has focused on improving connectivity and activating community spaces to strengthen rural life. Key actions include the deployment of fiber optics to connect local homes and businesses with digital services, facilitating access to health, education, e-commerce, and remote work. Additionally, an abandoned school building was renovated to become a Smart Village Hall, a multifunctional community space where residents can gather, organise events, use coworking facilities, or access digital services. The combination of this new community hub with digital infrastructure has enabled the coordination of social, cultural, and economic activities in Raudanmaa.
Innovation
Raudanmaa’s innovation combines high-quality digital infrastructure (fiber optics) with the creation of a multifunctional physical community space (Smart Village Hall) to generate synergies between digital and social life. This dual approach allows residents to easily use online services while providing a physical meeting point that supports local cohesion. The hall serves as a node for cultural activities, training, coworking, and community meetings, integrating digital services with local uses. The initiative not only digitalises the territory but also gives it a social heart that strengthens its identity as a connected and active community.
Why it is inspiring
Raudanmaa demonstrates how a small locality can transform through smart, participatory investments: it is not enough to deploy fiber; it must be paired with spaces that foster community life. Renovating the school building into a Smart Village Hall has preserved local heritage while creating a hub for community action. The combined effect has revitalised social networks, facilitated digital entrepreneurship (remote work, online services), and improved residents’ quality of life. For VILLAHUB, Raudanmaa is a clear model of how technological infrastructure and community dynamism can be combined, especially when aiming to harmonise digital and territorial development.
Responsible entity: Raudanmaa Village Association, together with local authorities and Smart Rural Finland programmes (Smart Rural 21)
Location: Raudanmaa, Finland
More information: Link 1
