Digital Learning: The Future Is Decided in Rural Areas

In Brussels, at the international Our Digital Village summit, I highlighted, as rapporteur of the EU Committee of the Regions, that digital transformation is not only a technological issue but also a human, community, and development policy matter.
Europe’s digital future does not start in big cities – it begins in villages, schools, small businesses, and local communities.

At the three-year Erasmus+ program’s closing conference, organized by ALL Digital and its European partners, I emphasized that:
digital learning and lifelong skills development in rural areas are not a luxury but a survival requirement.
The spread of digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence creates new jobs but also eliminates others – and only regions that invest in knowledge on time remain competitive.

Harghita County Example: Community-Based Digital Learning

In Harghita County, we have already initiated this path (and I hope it will continue now!):
several localities are hosting pilot local learning centers, digital classrooms, and entrepreneurship mentoring programs that engage both young people and adults.
The goal is for digital knowledge to prevent migration rather than encourage it.

At the Brussels conference, I stated that digital learning works only if three conditions are met:

1.     It takes place locally – people learn where they live;

2.     It is connected to the local economy – not general courses, but ones aligned with the county’s economic sectors (tourism, green economy, wood industry, agricultural innovation);

3.     It is implemented with community support – through cooperation between schools, businesses, local governments, and civil organizations.

This model already works in many regions across Europe – now it is our turn to catch up.

EU Level: New Opportunities in the 2028–2034 MFF

Among the proposals of the EPP Group of the Committee of the Regions is the creation of a rural-dedicated window within the ESF+ fund in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2028–2034), supporting mobile education, language and digital counseling, lifelong learning, and reskilling.

Support should be provided for:

·        local digital learning centers and community labs;

·        the introduction of digital micro-credentials;

·        programs that align courses with real labor market needs.

If Harghita County prepares on time, it can access significant EU funds, simultaneously supporting young people, education, and the local economy.

Concrete Proposals for Harghita County Council and All Involved Partners:

·        Establish a county-level Digital Learning Harghita coordination center to unite educational, economic, and local actors;

·        Community digital workshops (Digital Labs) – shared spaces where students, entrepreneurs, and seniors can develop digital skills;

·        Learning mentor network – young volunteers supporting older generations in online administration, e-health systems, and digital banking;

·        Partnership with educational institutions – modernizing vocational schools’ equipment and supporting continuous teacher training;

·        Increasing EU funding capacity – the county office and local administrations developing joint projects for the new ESF+, Erasmus+, and Digital Europe programs.

The Future: Digital Dignity in Rural Areas

As I emphasized in my speech:
“Digital transformation is not about technology, it’s about people.
If we only provide the internet but not opportunities, we lose trust.
But if we create learning, work, and community connections, we strengthen Europe.”

Digital education is one of the most important guarantees that young people stay at home.
If we teach them the skills to succeed locally, we offer not only jobs but also life paths and future vision.

Summary

The Our Digital Village conference showed that the European digital transition will only succeed if even the smallest communities are included.
Harghita County is ready for this challenge – but it needs partners, funding, and political courage.
We must act now so that the digital future is built here, in Székelyföld.

I have made a proposal for the reorganization of the digital working group to the county council leadership.