SMILE Incubator

Project description: 

Recently, the DR’s most remote rural communities have experienced drastic emigration rates and a subsequent brain drain; they face an ageing population, retaining their youth, and attracting new citizens. Increasing demographic change is widening the gap between urban and rural areas, so there is an urgent need to address the key challenges facing rural areas in particular. In addition, life is changing dramatically in the age of digitalisation. ICTs enable individuals to access information, communicate and work remotely and are changing the media space where the importance of social networks is rapidly increasing. This means a diversification of information sources and enables citizens to play an active role in public communication. Since 2008, Europe has been confronted with constant crises that have had a significant social, economic and political impact on people’s lives. Popular dissatisfaction is reflected in the reactions on social networks, where a lot of misinformation has emerged.

The DR was by no means exempt from the above trends. In order to contribute to the strengthening of institutional capacities for territorial and macro-regional governance (DTP’s SO4.2), the engagement of the (young) population in public dialogue is of utmost importance (EUSDR PA10 (action 7, target 7.1). Furthermore, media communication skills are an integral part of the civic competences (PA9) required for sustainable democracy. The proposed SMILE Incubator project recognises the urgent need for action and aims to empower youth living in rural areas by providing them with the essential skills, competences and tools. Through targeted campaigns and initiatives, the project seeks to reverse current trends by equipping young people with the necessary resources to succeed in their rural environment. In this way, sustainable development and resilience is promoted in these communities, which need active and innovative political leaders who encourage investment in human capital, motivation and creativity.

The SMILE Incubator will be managed and implemented by a diverse but balanced consortium of 20 partners (LP, 15 PPs, and 4 ASPs) from all 14 countries of the DR, with complementary competences, experience and expertise, creating synergies that will lead to high relevance and quality of results.