INOVA+ joined 10 European partners to accelerate technological inclusion in rural areas. Through Our Digital Village, it brought practical training, a helpdesk, and free resources in eight languages to Manteigas—an investment launched in January 2023 that will leave communities more resilient well beyond December 2025.
In an increasingly digital world, ensuring that rural areas are included in the technological transformation is essential for balanced and sustainable development. With this goal, INOVA+ joined Our Digital Village (ODV), an innovative project that aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas by strengthening digital skills in rural communities.
The European project brings together INOVA+ and 10 other partners in a journey that began in January 2023 and will run until December 2025, with long-term benefits expected in the form of more digitally resilient rural communities. The project focused on co-creating high-quality educational content, available online free of charge, in Portuguese and seven other languages (
Over three years, the project worked in rural areas to address the urban–rural digital divide by empowering local communities with digital and transversal skills and preparing them to face future challenges. The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, Partnerships for Innovation – Forward Looking Projects.
Manteigas Municipality at the forefront
The project was implemented in seven European countries: Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Poland, Italy, and Portugal. In Portugal, the municipality of Manteigas—located in the district of Guarda, in the heart of Serra da Estrela—was chosen as the project’s stage.
Collaboration between INOVA+, Manteigas City Council, and the Manteigas Schools Group, alongside other local entities such as AFACIDASE (Association of Relatives and Friends of Citizens with Adaptation Difficulties from Serra da Estrela), the Manteigas Hospitality Vocational School, and the Geopark, was crucial to the project’s success. These cohesive partnerships enabled an effective approach to the Manteigas community, deepening work in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The synergy created among local schools, trainers, and other groups and institutions was essential to ensure engagement and the success of the activities, consolidating Manteigas as an example of digital transformation in rural areas.
Over several months, a range of technology training courses were delivered to different audiences. Highlights include a 30-hour course to equip local trainers to deliver ICT training and four courses for various target groups focusing on essential digital tools for professional and personal day-to-day life. For younger participants, a digital skills course covered topics such as microcontrollers and 3D printing.
In addition to these practical courses, the project set up a physical and digital helpdesk where citizens could seek support on any ICT-related issue. Support can also be requested via the digital info desk by filling out a form describing the question, after which the Portuguese project team gets in touch to resolve the issue.
Five open information sessions were also held for the community, targeting professionals, teachers, trainers, and other members of the rural community. These sessions showcased how digital skills can create opportunities in the labour market and enhance different aspects of personal life.
Community Events and Sustainability Workshops
To promote the spirit of the project and engage the Manteigas community, community events were held to present the final projects developed by students (youth and adults) during the ICT courses. These events highlighted the skills acquired and how they can transform everyday life in the community.
To ensure the continuity of digital transformation in Manteigas and other communities, sustainability workshops have played a crucial role by involving schools, public institutions, and even policymakers more deeply in the digital transition process. These meetings help define strategies for creating new digital projects and seeking funding opportunities, ensuring that digital innovation continues to thrive even after ODV ends.
Our Digital Village: INOVA+’s role
INOVA+ took on responsibilities for planning and implementing project activities. Leveraging its recognised expertise in training and pedagogy, with experience across multiple educational levels and sectors, it contributed continuously to the co-design of the educational materials developed, culminating in the Our Digital Village Activity Kit.
ODV resources open to educators and new municipalities
Over these three years, educational resources have been created to support educators, public bodies, and organisations in kick-starting the digitalisation of rural areas. These resources are available in several languages, including Portuguese. A highlight is the Our Digital Village Activity Kit, an interactive online and printable tool created based on needs identified in the communities and on national curricula. It includes a set of 50 ICT challenges using digital and creative technologies—such as Robotics, Microcontrollers, 3D Modelling and Printing, and Web Development—as well as guidelines and pedagogical methods for implementation.
The success of Our Digital Village is clear evidence of how collaboration between organisations, communities, and public entities can transform local realities. The educational resources are now available to other municipalities and educators wishing to take the next step in the digitalisation of their communities. INOVA+ remains committed to supporting and expanding this movement, helping more regions reap the benefits of digital transformation.
Our Digital Village: Inclusive Digital Europe Conference
To delve deeper into the topic of digital inclusion, INOVA+ invites everyone to take part in the project’s final event: Inclusive Digital Europe Conference – Empowering Communities through Inclusive Digital Transformation. The conference will take place in Brussels on 7 November, with online streaming to enable wider participation. The full agenda and list of speakers are available via the link, and event registration can be completed here.