Lormes, a small rural town of 1,300 residents in the Morvan region of Nièvre, France, has emerged as a pioneering example of community-led rural innovation. Once facing digital exclusion, ageing infrastructure, and depopulation, the town transformed itself by embracing digital inclusion, participatory planning, and sustainable local development. Through grassroots mobilisation and long-term vision, Lormes has evolved into a “Petite Ville du Futur” (Village of the Future), serving as a blueprint for digitally empowered rural regeneration in Europe.

Challenges

In the early 2000s, Lormes faced many of the typical challenges seen across remote European territories poor internet connectivity, limited access to digital tools, an ageing population, and a lack of economic opportunities. The risk of rural decline was real: young people were leaving, businesses were closing, and public services were under pressure. Digital exclusion and disconnection from regional development posed threats to long-term resilience. These conditions pushed local actors to develop a collaborative, sustainable model that placed digital transformation at the heart of rural renewal.

Solution

Lormes stands as a remarkable example of a digitally inclusive rural community. The town reversed its digital disadvantage, increased civic participation, and attracted interest from other rural areas in Europe. The digital hub enabled remote work and local entrepreneurship. Seniors benefited from access to telehealth consultations, and students now study in an energy-efficient facility. Citizens contributed to decision-making, enhancing democratic ownership. The initiative also strengthened intergenerational solidarity through the ‘Fibre Advisers’ and stimulated cross-sector partnerships. Notably, the Village of the Future process has now become a reference for integrated rural development across the EU.

Impact and success

Through a participatory and phased approach, Lormes implemented a series of strategic actions:

• The digital mission (2003): A locally driven initiative providing digital training and raising digital literacy for residents of all ages. It functioned as a catalyst for digital inclusion and civic engagement.
• The rural hub (2008): Created to support local entrepreneurship by offering co-working spaces, IT support services, and access to digital infrastructure, enabling small businesses and remote workers to thrive locally.
• Village of the future programme (2017): A co-development process involving 500 residents (40% of the population), architects, service designers, and municipal leaders. The programme was guided by three participatory phases—launch, needs diagnosis, and envisioning local futures.
• Community-led infrastructure upgrades: The town invested in a new low-energy school, public Wi-Fi spots, and telehealth care in senior centres. A network of “Fibre Advisers” supported elderly residents in gaining digital skills. Environmental monitoring using community sensor systems was also deployed.

Lormes demonstrates how a rural community can overcome marginalisation through collaboration, vision, and the smart use of digital tools. By embedding digital inclusion, participatory planning, and sustainability in its development model, Lormes now serves as a best practice for proximity and social economy stakeholders. It exemplifies how citizen led innovation can transform localities into digitally empowered, connected, and resilient territories fit for the future.