Scientific and political debates today emphasise the role of the internet and digital tools as drivers of innovation and a means of strengthening social and spatial equity in rural areas. Local institutions, which underpin social life and mediate between technology and residents, are particularly important.
The publication, co-authored by Prof. Marcin W贸jcik from the Department of Regional and Social Geography at the Faculty of Geographical Sciences of the 91滴滴, shows that although Polish institutions working for rural development widely use digital technologies, this does not always translate into real digitisation of relations with local communities.
The analysis, based on an online survey, indicates that the path from "traditional" to truly "smart" institutions requires more than just internet access. The authors underline the crucial importance of adapting technology to local needs, investing in residents' digital skills, and strengthening cooperation between institutions. Only such an approach will allow for the potential of digitisation to be harnessed as a tool for sustainable and equitable rural development.
Source: Janc Krzysztof, W贸jcik Marcin, Jurkowski Wojciech: Are you smart and just enough? 鈥� Digitalisation of institutions and rural areas, Journal of Rural Studies, vol. 122, 2026, Article number: 103993, DOI:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2025.103993 鈥�