Small and smart municipalities: The evolving priorities and readiness for smart development

This commentary investigates how small- and mid-sized municipalities prioritise smart development themes and evaluate their readiness to implement related projects in response to the European Green Deal and the Just Transition Fund. Drawing on a two-wave survey conducted in 2021 and 2023 in the Ústí Region of the Czech Republic, the analysis examines changes in local priorities and project preparedness using a stakeholder analysis and structured questionnaires. The findings reveal a growing emphasis on renewable energy, digitalisation, and brownfield regeneration, alongside a gradual but limited increase in project readiness. Smaller municipalities, while increasingly aware of the importance of smart development, continue to face substantial barriers, including constrained financial resources and a lack of technical expertise. Although the commentary is regionally focused, its longitudinal approach offers valuable insights into governance adaptations in structurally disadvantaged areas of Europe. The results underline the reliance of small municipalities on tailored funding mechanisms to develop the capacities needed to meet European Union (EU) sustainability goals.