DESIRA has provided evidence to show that the digital divide is a dynamic process. On one hand, the structural disadvantages that rural areas suffer are multiplied by the unequal outcomes of market-driven digitalisation. On the other hand, the pace of technological innovation can undermine the efforts of rural communities to catch up.
We have identified three drivers of impact of digitalisation: a) design; b) (lack of ) access; c) complexity. Acting upon these drivers through co-design with rural communities is a way to achieve sustainable development goals, especially in the field of quality of work, gender balance, education, environment.
For these reasons, investments in physical and human infrastructures are necessary, but not sufficient. A proactive approach to anticipate the negative effects of digitalisation and to intervene in the most vulnerable realities is needed.
DESIRA has provided evidence that digital solutions can be game-changers for rural areas, for example in the field of environmental risk management, in the transparency of the supply chains, in the provision of public services, in keeping agricultural activities alive in many rural contexts. For example, robotics in the field of horticulture is seen as a remedy for the lack of labour force and the aging of the existing one. Crowdsourcing information related to fires or landslides can support risk management agencies. Local digital platforms can help to keep a community alive by providing news, a space for interaction, and digital services.
To develop these solutions, a co-design approach to technology development is needed, based on fora where users, developers, stakeholders, and policymakers are able to interact to address rural needs and expectations. DESIRA has applied this approach in its 21 Living Labs, and has contributed to consolidate it both conceptually and methodologically.
DESIRA has also found that despite the strong emphasis at EU level to foster sustainable digitalisation, and dedicated resources, implementation at national level is lagging. Administrative and academic silos, obsolete governance, lack of competencies and skills at the local level, and lack of coordination between different programs leave many of the objectives unfulfilled. A combination of top-down and bottom-up measures is needed. Rural digitalisation should be strategically driven and monitored by dedicated agents.
