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Smart Rural Communities: Action Research in Colombia and Mozambique

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  • Igor Calzada

    (Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD), Social Science Research Park (Sbarc/Spark), School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, Wales, UK
    Fulbright Scholar-In-Residence (S-I-R), US-UK Fulbright Commission, Unit 302, 3rd Floor Camelford House, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP, England, UK
    Urban Transformations ESRC & Future of Cities Programmes, COMPAS, University of Oxford, 58 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6QS, England, UK
    Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain)

Abstract

This article contributes to the ongoing discussion on rural development programs aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Global South. The research question examines how the Smart Rural Communities (SRC) framework can support the SDGs as an international cooperation model. The article presents findings from fieldwork action research including a critical analysis of the hegemonic discourse on smart cities and provides final recommendations. Additionally, it introduces the concept of SRC. The fieldwork action research was conducted in post-conflict rural areas in Colombia’s Bolivar region and remote settlements in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province. Led by Ayuda En Acción in collaboration with co-operatives such as Mundukide Foundation, Alecop, and LKS from Mondragon Co-operative Corporation, these interventions aimed to engage local communities through Living Labs. They utilized Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and social innovation to promote the well-being of rural residents. The article comprises (i) an introduction; (ii) a literature review; (iii) a presentation of the fieldwork action research in Colombia and Mozambique; (iv) findings from a SWOT analysis and policy recommendations for SRC Living Labs; (v) conclusions addressing the research question. The SRC framework offers valuable insights for international cooperation models striving to achieve the SDGs in the Global South.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor Calzada, 2023. "Smart Rural Communities: Action Research in Colombia and Mozambique," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9521-:d:1170440
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Igor Calzada, 2024. "Artificial Intelligence for Social Innovation: Beyond the Noise of Algorithms and Datafication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-25, October.

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