This document discusses smart work centers (SWCs) and the Micropol project. The Micropol project aims to link rural regions to the knowledge economy through smart work. It has identified 25 good practices of SWCs and flexible working models across Europe. The project also provides 10 policy recommendations, a matrix describing types of SWCs, a business model for SWC sustainability, and an analysis of the social and economic returns of SWCs. SWCs can have benefits like job and business creation, population growth, and increased local GDP. They are typically classified into four types - economic development SWCs, enterprise SWCs, socio-economic hub SWCs, and distance working SWCs. Case studies found that a typical rural SWC

1. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
Smart Work for Smart,
Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
in Regions
Alise Vitola
Riga Technical University
Cross-sectoral Coordination Centre, LATVIA

2. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
Project Micropol – Smart Work in
Non-metropolitan Areas
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North Denmark Region (DK)
Province of Drenthe (NL)
West-Pannon Region (HU)
Business Centre Kranj (SL)
Northumberland County Council (UK)
Municipality of Teramo (IT)
Public Development of Industry (HU)
Riga Technical University (LV)
Nièvre Numérique (FR)
Estonian Advice Centres (EE)
Chamber of Commerce of Jaen (ES)
http://micropol-interreg.eu/

3. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
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Smart Work:
linking rural regions to knowledge economy
INTERREG IVC
http://micropol-interreg.eu/-Micropol-Video-

4. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
A Smart Work Center
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5. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
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Benefits of Smart Work Centres
Source: SWC Matrix, http://ievf.rtu.lv/content/view/2691/1610/lang,lv/

6. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
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Typology of Smart Work Centres
Source: SWC Matrix, http://ievf.rtu.lv/content/view/2691/1610/lang,lv/
• Target wider economic development aims by supporting a wide
range of business users from entrepreneurs to distance workers and
public and voluntary sector workers
Economic development SWCs
• Have a purely business focus and supporting entrepreneurs and
small business
Enterprise SWCs
• Incorporate a social and service provision role, most commonly
found in small communities
Socio-economic hub SWCs
• Primarily aim to provide employment centres to reduce "out-
commuting" and support distance working within rural municipality
Distance Working SWCs

7. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
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Socioeconomic Return of a SWC
Source: Forzati M. Analysis and assesment of SWC good practices across Europe (2014)
• 4 case studies of rural SWCs in FR, UK, DK and NL
• Businesses created – 5 (3 to 6)
• People working – 10 (8 to 12)
• Population growth – 2 persons per one worker
• Local GDP growth annually – 0,7 million euros (0,5 to
1,3)
• Investment annually - 0,1 million euros (from 0,07 to
0,14)

8. TITRE DE LA PRESENTATION
Micropol – Smart Work in
Non-metropolitan Areas: Results
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http://micropol-interreg.eu/
• 25 good practices (SWC & flexible working)
• 10 policy recommendations
• A matrix describing types of SWCs
• A business model for the sustainability of SWC
• Analysis and assessment of SWCs social and economic
return on investment