• The Generalitat of Catalonia expressed their interest in collaborating with EIT Urban Mobility in a meeting between EIT Urban Mobility’s CEO, Maria Tsavachidis and the Catalan Minister for Foreign Action and European Union, Ms Meritxell Serret Aleu.
• Catalonia’s minister for business and labour, Mr Roger Torrent, emphasised the importance of collaboration among both entities in a recent interview to MOVEMNT
• Mr Oriol Martorí, General Director of Transport and Mobility of the Generalitat of Catalonia explained to us also how the region is implementing their mobility plans and the importance of collaborating with European entities.

Barcelona, July 2022 – Promoting and implementing sustainable urban mobility is a key issue for the government of Catalonia, as evidenced by the initiatives and policies they have initiated. The government has recognised the importance of sustainable mobility to address economic, social, and environmental issues in the transport policy at the urban scale, using long-term strategic planning, aiming to establish more sustainable mobility patterns within the region to improve city life while preventing the congestion and environmental problems that plague many urban areas.

With this objective, the Generalitat of Catalonia collaborates with local and European entities to promote and transform urban mobility. A collaboration that helps the Catalan government stay updated on the latest trends, policies, and technological advancements in urban mobility. Through these policies and initiatives, the government aims to provide reliable, accessible, and environmentally friendly public transport options for residents and visitors in Catalonia.

Watch here the interview to Oriol Martori, Generalitat de Catalonia tells us about the urban mobility plans for the region:

As a European leader in the topic, EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, and the Generalitat of Catalonia have initiated a series of conversations to establish a collaboration to strengthen our collaboration with our common goal to fight against climate change and implement more sustainable mobility. From one side, EIT Urban Mobility facilitates access to expertise, resources, knowledge, and networking, all the necessary ingredients for creating a successful receipt. EIT Urban Mobility ecosystem brings together stakeholders, including industry experts, research institutions, and governmental bodies. This community of experts will provide the Catalan government with access to a wealth of expertise and resources in urban mobility that includes research findings, best practices, innovative technologies, and funding opportunities, as well as participation in workshops, conferences, and working groups where they can exchange ideas, experiences, and lessons learned with other stakeholders from different regions and backgrounds. An agreement that will enhance the government’s capacity to develop and implement sustainable mobility solutions and stay updated on the latest trends, innovations, and policies in sustainable urban mobility, fostering a more informed and evidence-based approach to decision-making.

In addition, EIT Urban Mobility also provides the opportunity to participate in piloting and demonstration projects, allowing to test and validate new sustainable mobility solutions in real-world settings.

EIT Urban Mobility’s CEO, Maria Tsavachidis and the Catalan Minister for Foreign Action and European Union, Ms Meritxell Serret Aleu.

By collaborating with the Generalitat, EIT Urban Mobility can tap into this expertise and gain a deeper understanding of the local context, including regulatory frameworks, infrastructure constraints, and cultural factors. This understanding can inform the development of tailored and context-specific solutions, enhancing the effectiveness of EIT Urban Mobility’s initiatives in the region. The collaboration with the Generalitat allows EIT Urban Mobility to have a voice in the regional policy-making process. By working closely with the government, EIT Urban Mobility can contribute to developing sustainable urban mobility policies and strategies at the regional level, advocating for supportive policies and regulations that enable innovative urban mobility solutions to be adopted and scaled up. Through this partnership, EIT Urban Mobility can influence the policy landscape in Catalonia, promoting sustainable mobility practices and supporting the region’s transition towards more efficient and environmentally friendly urban transportation systems.
The collaboration among both entities will allow the government and EIT Urban Mobility to align its sustainable urban mobility policies with broader European initiatives and frameworks.

Read HERE the interview with Mr Roger Torrent, Catalonia’s minister for business and labour

• The agreement formalises the mutual interaction and strengthens the existing relationship between EIT Urban Mobility and Transport Malta at the strategic and working levels.

Barcelona, December 2022 – EIT Urban Mobility and Transport Malta have announced a new cooperation accord to develop and implement long-term sustainable urban mobility solutions in the country. The agreement formalises the mutual interaction and strengthens the existing relationship between EIT Urban Mobility and Transport Malta at the strategic and working levels.
Thanks to this newly established collaboration, Transport Malta could enjoy new opportunities for potential partnerships and joint ventures, facilitating the business expansion in the country. It will also encourage participation and co-creation in events and gain visibility by meeting and communicating with potential clients and knowledge triangle partners of the EIT Urban Mobility community.
Even when the two organisations’ relationship precedes their formal acknowledgement, it is crucial to establish an MoU through a joint public announcement. The pursuit of the public interest unites the two organisations

About Transport Malta

Transport Malta is the transport regulator in Malta and is responsible for the overall transport strategy across all sectors of internal transport, namely active, road ferry transport, and external transport links by sea and air.
Transport Malta’s mission is to promote and develop the transport sector in Malta through proper regulation and by promoting and developing related services, businesses, and other interests both locally and internationally.

Malta’s National Transport Strategy 2050 and Transport Master Plan 2025

Malta’s National Transport Strategy 2050 and Transport Master Plan 2025 were just released. This master plan takes the shape of a hybrid national transportation plan and a sustainable national urban mobility plan, due to the country’s size and urbanisation level. Additionally, it establishes the structure for any future regional or municipal mobility plans that might be created.
The Transport Master Plan prioritises active mobility while considering public transportation, ferries, and freight transportation. Apart from commuters living there, Malta considers the mobility requirements of occasional users like visitors.
The plan is the first 10-year plan of an expected series of Transport Master Plans that will strive to achieve the goals established in the National Transport Strategy for 2050.

https://www.transport.gov.mt/strategies/strategies-policies-actions/national-transport-strategy-and-transport-master-plan-1343

The Custom Course on Cycling Infrastructure for Transport Malta – EIT Urban Mobility Academy

In spring 2022, the EIT Urban Mobility Academy delivered the course Cycling Infrastructure: From Concept to Design and Implementation in Malta, with the support of the EIT Urban Mobility RIS Hub Malta and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Malta.
Imparted by cycling experts, the training was designed to support Transport Malta’s commitment to making Malta’s road infrastructure more cycle-friendly. It focused on bicycle infrastructure design to promote leadership in developing sustainable mobility options for Malta, with specific attention to road safety in shared spaces and particular solutions for the Maltese context, building on good practices from other countries and cities.
EIT Urban Mobility Academy created this innovative blended training programme to help Malta become more liveable and sustainable by building on best practices from leading European cities/experts and by making the most of a wide variety of learning methodologies and formats.