In Grieth on the Lower Rhine, busses run only rarely and many historic fishing cottages are vacant. A research team from Rhine-Waal University is investigating how new life can be breathed into such small towns in a project called “Smart Villages”. The team is developing ideas for the future together with residents at the respective locations. For example, “smart village” residents are finding financers on the Internet for jointly run village stores. Or aerial drones help farmers cultivate their fields. And members of a cross-generational citizens’ action association assist villagers and receive support later themselves.