Erro Smart Valley (Navarra) is a project promoted by the Town Council of Vall d'Erro (Navarra) and the Guifi·net Foundation with the aim of improving Internet connection through a broadband infrastructure with a shared network model. This infrastructure, shared among different actors and operational for over a year, has had a very significant impact on the different nuclei of Vall d'Erro, where Internet and telephone services are offered through various operators. 

Improving the connectivity of the area has helped prevent depopulation and has made it visible that, by eliminating the digital divide, it is possible to live and work in remote areas away from large cities; in short, it has facilitated the daily lives of people, without discrimination based on where they live, and has boosted the economic development of the area. 

A similar case is the project Nordeste de Segovia, Spain (Nordesnet), an initiative promoted through the Nordesnet Association, created to improve connectivity in rural areas and service provider, thanks to the municipalities of Castrocerracín, Navares de las Cuevas and Cerezo de Abajo and the Guifi·net Foundation. The project has managed to deploy shared fiber optic infrastructure to the homes of these municipalities, which have seen a significant reduction in their population over the last few decades due to lack of communication opportunities. 

Currently, the service offerings and improved connectivity in the area are generating attraction and viability for settling. 

All projects that applied for the prize in this edition have been evaluated by a jury composed of five expert individuals with a long and recognized career in the sector. From the Guifi·net Foundation, we already consider it a success and pride to have reached the final with two projects, which encourages us to continue believing, another year, that our desire to eliminate the digital divide between urban and rural areas through a more sustainable and proximity model is not only possible, but also has very positive repercussions in the daily lives of people and the territory in question. 

We also want to remind you that Guifi·net is not the first time it has been selected for these awards. In 2005, it won the award in the first edition of the European Broadband Awards 2015, in the category "Innovative Model of Financing, Business, and Investment". In that first edition, nearly 50 projects participated, 15 of which were selected and 5 awarded, including Guifi·net. 

Waiting to find out the winners on September 27, we want to thank all those who have made and make it possible for Guifi·net to be recognized for its work and improvement of people's daily lives. We leave you a last link where you can check the other preselected projects for the 2022 awards edition:

https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/jury-selected-finalists-european-broadband-awards-2022.