In the project “Heimat 2.0 – Phase 2”, 16 model projects are being coached and supported in safeguarding and continuously improving public services and quality of life in their structurally weak rural areas with the help of digital solutions. In this context, the model projects are accompanied by Fraunhofer IESE and the research policy consulting firm PartG SPRINT in the development, implementation, and introduction of such digital solutions. These digital solutions are being developed in seven different topic areas, with each model project focusing on one topic area. These topic areas are “Local and regional supply”, “Social and cultural offerings”, “Education, qualification and digital competencies”, “Civil society and volunteering”, “Health and care provision”, “Creation of attractive living spaces”, and “Public administration”. In addition, a scientific investigation of the funding initiative is being conducted by Fraunhofer IESE based on a research plan for deriving results and recommendations for the further development of the policy and research field Rural Digitalization.
Twelve of the 16 model projects were selected in the project “Heimat 2.0 – Phase 1”; the remaining four model projects were selected in Phase 2, meaning that the duration of the project was extended from 2023 to 2024.