Rețeaua Binelui (The Goodness Network)
Romania
supported by Romontana
Bringing digital access and social services closer to mountain communities.
About
The Rețeaua Binelui Smart Village Lab is a ROMONTANA-led local innovation space based in Vatra Dornei, Romania. It supports mountain communities in improving access to social, educational and public services through assisted digital solutions, local partnerships and co-creation with vulnerable groups. The Lab focuses on practical pilots that reduce distance, isolation and administrative barriers.
Where & What?
No.20 Mihai Eminescu Street, Vatra Dornei, Suceava County, Romania
Territory context and inclusion challenges
Territory profile
The Lab is rooted in the mountain area of northern Romania, with its physical location in Vatra Dornei and pilot cooperation across communities from Suceava and Maramureș. The territory includes small towns, communes and dispersed villages where access to services is often shaped by distance, winter conditions, limited transport options and uneven digital readiness.
Many residents rely on county-level institutions for social and administrative services, which can be difficult to reach for older people, persons with disabilities and families with limited mobility or resources. At the same time, the area benefits from strong local identity, active NGOs, educational and social institutions, and a growing interest in practical digital solutions adapted to mountain realities.
Top inclusion challenges
Long distances and transport difficulties between mountain communities and county-level services.
Limited digital skills and low confidence in using online public services among vulnerable residents.
Administrative barriers affecting persons with disabilities, older people and family caregivers.
Fragmented information on social, educational and community support opportunities.
Limited local support infrastructure for assisted digital access.
Local assets/strengths
Dedicated physical Lab location in Vatra Dornei, supported by the Rețeaua Binelui initiative.
Existing website for information and dissemination: www.reteauabinelui.org.
Active collaboration between ROMONTANA, NGOs, public institutions, education actors and local supporters.
Strong relevance of mountain identity and community solidarity for social inclusion initiatives.
Lab approach – How we work locally
Who leads the Lab?
ROMONTANA convenes and coordinates the Lab locally, through the INSPIRE project team and the Rețeaua Binelui Smart Village Lab coordination group.
How does the Lab operate?
The Lab operates through a hybrid model combining a physical location in Vatra Dornei with online participation through Zoom and digital communication channels. Meetings and workshops are organised around concrete local needs, selected pilot solutions and feedback from target groups and stakeholders. The Lab uses its website www.reteauabinelui.org as an information, dissemination and resource channel, complemented by direct communication with members and supporters. The format is participatory and practical: stakeholders are invited to discuss needs, validate priorities, contribute to roadmaps and support implementation. Activities are coordinated by ROMONTANA and the Lab coordination group, with involvement from NGOs, public institutions, education actors and community representatives.
Co-creation steps used locally
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Identify local inclusion needs and barriers through stakeholder discussions.
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Engage target groups and local supporters in defining priority problems.
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Select practical pilot solutions with direct relevance for mountain communities.
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Develop solution roadmaps covering activities, resources, stakeholders and risks.
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Validate implementation pathways with institutions and community representatives.
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Communicate results and resources through the Lab website and partner channels.
How we ensure participation of target/vulnerable groups
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Invite representatives of persons with disabilities, older residents, young people, NGOs and companies to Lab meetings and workshops.
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Use hybrid formats so participants can join physically or online, depending on mobility and availability.
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Keep discussions practical and accessible, with facilitation support where needed.
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Use the Lab website and local partners to make information easier to find and reuse.
Pilot initiatives and activities
Digitalization of public services for the assessment of persons with disabilities
Persons with disabilities and reduced mobility face long travel distances and administrative barriers when accessing county-level assessment services.
What will be done: The Lab will test assisted digital access points and secure remote interaction for disability assessment-related procedures. Local facilitators will support beneficiaries with digital communication, document preparation and interaction with the relevant public institutions.
Main beneficiaries: Persons with disabilities, older residents, family caregivers and isolated households in mountain communities.
Status: piloting
Timing: June 2026 – December 2026 (to be confirmed)
Stay tuned through the INSPIRE website for more updates.
DIGIMONT – Mountain Digital Inclusion Centre
Many residents in mountain communities need assisted access to digital public services, learning opportunities and basic digital support.
What will be done: The Lab will develop a local Digital Inclusion Centre offering guided access to online services, basic digital skills support and information on education and training opportunities. The centre will also support local partners in testing practical tools for inclusion and community participation.
Main beneficiaries: Young people, older residents, vulnerable groups, local NGOs, social enterprises, SMEs, schools and community members needing digital assistance.
Status: ongoing
Timing: June 2026 – December 2026 (to be confirmed)
Stay tuned through the INSPIRE website for more updates.
Rețeaua Binelui Community App
Mountain communities lack an accessible digital tool through which vulnerable people, local institutions, NGOs and community supporters can be connected around social needs, local support services and community-based assistance
What will be done: A community application will be developed to support communication, referral and coordination between vulnerable residents, local actors, public institutions and support organisations. The application will help map needs, facilitate access to information and strengthen local cooperation around social inclusion in the Suceava and Maramureș mountain areas.
Main beneficiaries: Vulnerable residents of mountain communities, especially older people, persons with disabilities or special needs, young people, NGOs, local authorities and community support actors.
Status: planned
Timing: May 2026 – December 2026, with continuous updates
Stay tuned through the INSPIRE website for more updates.
Stakeholders and partnerships
Lead organisation: ROMONTANA.
Core local coordination: Rețeaua Binelui Smart Village Lab coordination group and ROMONTANA INSPIRE team.
Key stakeholders and supporters include local municipalities, NGOs, representatives of target groups, county-level social service institutions, special schools, IT experts, a research centre, a university, a chamber of commerce and a regional development agency.
Partnerships focus on assisted digital access, social inclusion, education and training information, community resources and replication of practical solutions in mountain areas.
Resources and downloads
The Rețeaua Binelui Website is currently under development and can be reached via www.reteauabinelui.org
Presentations from Workshop 1 – Solutions and Workshop 2 – Roadmap
Rețeaua Binelui Logo: Version 1, Version 1 in white, Version 2, all versions.
News from KYTHERIAN LAND – Our Land, Our Food
“Build your Smart Village!” – Bringing the Smart Villages concept closer to Kythera and Konitsa through an interactive game
MedINA created an innovative board game, titled “Build your Smart Village!”, to introduce the concept of Smart Villages in a simple, creative, and engaging way (7 October 2025). Learn more here and also here.
Credit: ROMONTANA
The INSPIRE project in Konitsa and Kythera: Engaging local communities on Smart Villages
Warm-up events in Konitsa and Kythera introduced the Smart Village Labs, explored local needs and priorities and presented INSPIRE’s upcoming participatory and capacity-building activities (12 January 2026). Learn more here and also here.
Credit: ROMONTANA
Two places, one model: Participatory Smart Village Labs for the future of Konitsa and Kythera
Smart Village Labs have been created in Konitsa and Kythera, bringing local communities and stakeholders together in developing locally tailored solutions for inclusive rural development (31 March 2026). Learn more here and also here.
Credit: ROMONTANA
Get involved, be part of the Network of Good!
Join “Rețeaua Binelui” Smart Village lab to support practical digital inclusion solutions for mountain communities.
Website: www.reteauabinelui.org
Contact Email: contact@reteauabinelui.org
Mobile phone: +40.751.618.303, +40.771.410.176
Address: No.20 Mihai Eminescu Street, Vatra Dornei, Suceava County, Romania.
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Organisation: ROMONTANA
