SMART Region Weinviertel Ost
The term "smart region" stands for the vision of digitally networked regions that pursue socially, ecologically and economically sustainable goals. For example, improved resource efficiency, an increased quality of life, the promotion of the local economy, the creation of innovative spaces, greater social participation and increased accessibility and efficiency of public services. Smart regions also describe the ability of municipalities and regions to master existing and future challenges, overcome problems and exploit opportunities by developing new solutions that accelerate and support the development of prosperous and more liveable localities for all interest groups (citizens, business, administration and science).
The LEADER Region Weinviertel Ost would like to develop into a Smart Region over the next few years. This step should succeed with various projects and measures in the fields of action listed.
SMART Region Weinviertel Ost
The term "smart region" stands for the vision of digitally networked regions that pursue socially, ecologically and economically sustainable goals. For example, improved resource efficiency, an increased quality of life, the promotion of the local economy, the creation of innovative spaces, greater social participation and increased accessibility and efficiency of public services. Smart regions also describe the ability of municipalities and regions to master existing and future challenges, overcome problems and exploit opportunities by developing new solutions that accelerate and support the development of prosperous and more liveable localities for all interest groups (citizens, business, administration and science).
The LEADER Region Weinviertel Ost would like to develop into a Smart Region over the next few years. This step should succeed with various projects and measures in the fields of action listed.
Demographic development in the eastern Weinviertel
The demographic tool developed by the LEADER Region Weinviertel Ost offers a quick and compact overview of the demographic developments in our municipalities. It allows you to call up statistical data online at any time, which can also be compared. For example, comparisons can be made with other municipalities, the Kleinregionen, the LEADER regions and Lower Austria. Forecasts for future developments can also be called up and the data is updated automatically.
Hier geht es zum Demografie-Tool der LEADER Region Weinviertel Ost
Benutzer-Handbuch zum Demografie-Tool
Verfügbare Statsistiken im Demografie-Tool
SMART REGION CONFERENCE
On October 11, 2022, the LEADER Region Weinviertel Ost hosted the Smart Region Conference in the Mistelbach town hall. The focus was on promoting digitalization in municipal offices. Leading speakers presented exciting ideas as part of their contributions.
Digitalization in the municipalities
Times are changing. Modern tools, some of which are digital, are making it ever easier to access information, offers and services. If you want to change your place of residence, buy a garbage bag or register an event, you still have to appear in person at the town hall or municipal office in many municipalities. Even defects in the municipality - such as a broken street lamp in front of your own home - can often only be reported in person. With the "Smart Region östliches Weinviertel" project, we want to change this and establish a first area of the Smart Region approach in the eastern Weinviertel - the Smart Government area. The focus here is primarily on the further development of our region with its 58 municipalities. This also includes the ID-Austria.
Citizen & customer service in the municipal administration
How "smart" a municipal administration is, can be seen primarily from the indicators of transparency, citizen and customer orientation and the associated infrastructure. Citizen participation, simple and open access to services, offers and information for all population groups and the economy are elementary components of this. These can be based on new digital technologies, but must also ensure the inclusion of all population groups through suitable offerings. An important approach is the promotion of innovation in the municipalities. In our project, a working group set up for this purpose is working on innovative solutions for everyday community life.
Survey citizen service
From 5.8.2021 to 3.9.2021, the mayors & heads of office of the municipalities in the LEADER Weinviertel Ost region were asked about "citizen service" in the form of an online survey.
The survey revealed the following:
- Almost 80% of respondents say that they describe their citizens as customers at the citizens' service facility.
- Around 20% of respondents offer opening hours outside normal working hours.
- Citizens' concerns can be dealt with quickly and easily in the individual municipalities.
- The politeness of staff and communication are also important.
- On the other hand, there is still potential for optimization in the digital area and in the
Municipality Chatbot
Digital assistants are designed to make daily work easier by automating simple work processes. The necessary software is available on the market and is already in widespread use. Like their human colleagues, the bots need to be trained for their work. The bot is "trained" specifically for the needs of the municipalities. Existing information will be retrieved from publicly accessible databases via central interfaces and a FAQ database will be set up for municipal competencies. The summarized information can be queried via natural language (chat function). 15 test municipalities were involved in the further development of the chatbot. There are now 42 municipalities!
Community innovation hub
Digitalization also requires a certain degree of innovation in our municipal offices. In general, there is still little willingness to innovate in many municipalities. In order to enable a new way of thinking here, an innovation laboratory for municipalities is to be founded together with the LEADER Region Weinviertel Ost.