The Aardehuizen are a prime example of a Smart Village: a community-driven eco-self-build project using natural and secondhand materials, along with the smart use of solar heat stored in the mass of your home—all without complicated technology that leaves you dependent on all sorts of specialists. And all of this benefits not only yourself but also contributes to making the immediate and wider surroundings more sustainable.
In 2022, we came into contact with a European network of such initiatives, all of which are located in rural areas. Village communities are often overlooked by policymakers, which frequently leaves rural municipalities dependent on services in neighboring towns. On the other hand, the social fabric of small-scale communities also offers significant advantages. The Smart Village Network helps its member communities (65 members in 18 countries) gain greater visibility and develop greater resilience by collaborating on social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
The SURE project, in which the Aardehuizen are participating, is a great example of this.
