Across Europe, many teachers and school leaders operate in small and rural schools—in mountain villages, remote islands, or geographically dispersed communities. These schools are often characterised by limited resources, multi-age classrooms, and the risk of isolation, but they also display remarkable resilience, creativity, and strong connections to local communities.
Recognising the central role of teacher education in addressing these challenges, European Schoolnet (EUN) and INDIRE – Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione, Innovazione e Ricerca Educativa have developed the Smart Schooling and Networking MOOC (29 September – 5 November 2025). The course is a direct training outcome of the international research initiative Playing Their Part: Small and Rural Schools (EUN–INDIRE, 2023), which analysed practices from 24 schools in 12 European countries.
📄 Read the full report here: Playing Their Part: Small and Rural Schools – European Comparative Analysis
🎥 Watch the course presentation on YouTube: Smart Schooling and Networking MOOC – Trailer
Teacher education at the core of rural innovation
The research highlighted that teachers in small and rural contexts often need to acquire additional competences beyond those required in mainstream schools:
- Managing multi-age classrooms with differentiated and peer-learning strategies;
- Integrating ICT to overcome geographical isolation and support inclusive learning;
- Building alliances with parents, municipalities, and third-sector actors to position schools as community hubs;
- Leading innovation in organisational models despite under-capacity and dispersed school sites.
However, the comparative analysis also confirmed that few European countries provide systemic teacher training policies for educators in rural settings. This evidence underscores the importance of research-informed professional development, accessible across national borders.
From research to practice: the MOOC
The Smart Schooling and Networking MOOC translates these findings into a capacity-building programme for teachers and school leaders. Structured in four modules, the course offers:
- Tools for developing a shared vision for school improvement;
- Insights into innovative pedagogical approaches for small and multi-age schools;
- Strategies for expanding learning environments beyond the classroom;
- Guidance on building alliances with families, local communities, and institutional partners.
Participants will design a proposal for school improvement, exchange feedback with peers across Europe, and contribute to shaping a European manifesto for small and rural schools. Upon completion, participants receive a digital badge and certificate.
👉 Registration: Smart Schooling and Networking MOOC
The pioneering role of INDIRE and the “Piccole Scuole” Movement
INDIRE – Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione, Innovazione e Ricerca Educativa – has for years supported rural and small schools in Italy through the Movimento Nazionale delle Piccole Scuole, a network that has become a European forerunner in promoting collaboration among geographically isolated schools. This national initiative laid the foundations for the creation of the European Schoolnet Small and Rural Schools Interest Group (SIG), which today connects policymakers and educators from across Europe.
By fostering networking, innovation, and community engagement, INDIRE’s approach has contributed significantly to redefining the role of rural schools—not as marginal institutions, but as laboratories of inclusion, innovation, and resilience with strong educational and social impact.
The European SIG “Small and Rural Schools”
The MOOC is developed within the framework of the Small and Rural Schools Interest Group (SIG), coordinated by European Schoolnet since 2019. The SIG brings together 13 countries (Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey) to:
- Share research and practices across Europe;
- Promote ICT use to reduce isolation;
- Support multi-age teaching and flexible school organisation;
- Strengthen ties with local communities;
- Build a European network and community of practice;
- Offer capacity-building opportunities for educators.
The ultimate goal of the SIG is the development of a European manifesto for small and rural schooling, enhancing educational quality and well-being in rural areas.
👉 More information on the SIG: European Schoolnet Interest Groups
Implications for teacher education
For the teacher education community, this initiative illustrates how comparative research can directly inform training. It highlights the need to re-think professional development for educators working in non-standard contexts, ensuring they are equipped with the skills, networks, and confidence to transform challenges into opportunities.
By connecting local practices with European-level collaboration, the MOOC contributes to both equity in education and the well-being of rural communities. It offers a replicable model for linking research evidence, policy dialogue, and teacher education in the service of sustainable innovation.