SMARTA workshop “Time to Rethink Rural Mobility” in Brussels

At the end of January 2019, MAMBA project partners participated in the SMARTA workshop organised in Brussels, taking the opportunity to present key facts, pilots, events, goals of the MAMBA project and a newly launched database that integrates examples of best practice when it comes to solving mobility issues.

The importance of maximising mobility in rural areas, the advantages it brings and the steps that were taken within the MAMBA project were central points of the presentation given by Vizma Leonova from the Latvian Road Transport Administration, and Christoffer Hernestig from the Municipality of Trelleborg. Furthermore, the event proved to be an excellent opportunity for presenting the best practice database, developed by the Municipality of Trelleborg.

The event, attended by more than 70 participants including representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, The European Network for Rural Development, , service providers and regional agencies, was the first of a series of events organised by the SMARTA consortium. It focused on showcasing innovative, tested solutions from European rural areas and also presented elements that drive successful rural mobility initiatives, ranging from social aspects, policy or financing to ICT solutions. The aim of this event was to bring mobility stakeholders together, in order to hear, discuss and provide their perspectives and recommendations on the current situation of rural mobility in Europe. An overview will be created by verifying, validating and consolidating the findings from the SMARTA project so far.