Rural Areas present both special problems and special opportunities for ICT projects. The infrastructure and facilities may lag behind cities and the local culture can be slower to change. However, the isolation and need for resources offers unique incentives for local residents and organisations to get online.

This project description was written by Terry Grunwald for the Scottish Communities Channel in 2001, but is now longer available there. We plan to update here shortly.

What do Technology Projects for Rural Areas do?

• Use Community Information Systems as an empowerment tool
  

• Enable local people to make informed decisions on environmental and sustainable development issues

• Create community-based web sites that serve the local population (not only tourists)

• Provide basic reference and other information in areas where libraries are not available

• Undertake Geographic Information Systems projects which map local geography and landmarks and display them on the Net

• Provide videoconferencing distance learning links to provide community learning opportunities not otherwise available in the area

• Market local area, crafts, and services to potential tourists or buyers all over the world

Resources

TITAN Research & Technology Development and Demonstration Project is a Pan-European consortium to provide citizens and small and medium sized enterprises in rural communities with advanced telematics tools to access public information and interactive services. One of the four rural regions involved is Highlands and Islands, Scotland.

Ruralnet|online is a relationship-based peer support network in the UK.

Models

Six Villages Community Web Site serving the Allison Simpson, Portsoy and District Ltd has created a Virtual Museum on their site.

Key lesson learned: It is important to take the time to define the community's information needs before developing a community web site. Listen to local people and organisations. Then let the site grow organically.

Caithness Community Network demonstrates the wide range of ICT activities available in a rural area. The web site records them all. See a story about the project here.

Key Lesson Learned: Make sure there is a steady stream of material on the web site.

Sustainable Telematics for Environmental Management was a tool to help land managers use accurate, up to date, and pertinent information about environmental resources and conditions to improve their decision making.