EIT Urban Mobility — an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) — is one of Europe's leading platforms for transport innovation. Since 2020, it has supported more than 420 pilots in over 185 cities, backed 235+ innovation projects and helped bring 120 new solutions to market. As a Supporter of the Covenant of Mayors and a key partner in the Coalition on Sustainable Mobility, EIT Urban Mobility works at the intersection of innovation, city practice and EU policy to make urban transport systems greener, safer and more equitable.
In this interview, Bernadette Bergsma, Director of Communications and EU Affairs, outlines the key barriers cities face in decarbonising transport, highlights inspiring examples from Nicosia, Oslo and Vienna, and explains how Covenant signatories — large and small — can tap into EIT Urban Mobility's programmes, funding calls and city networks to accelerate their own transitions.
Could you briefly introduce EIT Urban Mobility and its mission?
EIT Urban Mobility is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union and Europe's leading network for transport innovation. Our mission is to help cities become more liveable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, congestion and noise, while improving accessibility, safety and overall quality of life for citizens.
To achieve this, EIT Urban Mobility connects cities, large industry players, start-ups, universities and research institutes. Through innovation projects, education programmes and a collaborative ecosystem, it supports the co-development, testing and deployment of solutions that improve urban transport systems.
Since 2020, EIT Urban Mobility has conducted more than 420 pilots in 185+ European cities, supported more than 235 innovation projects and brought over 120 new solutions to market. Cities are encouraged to reach out and explore how these solutions can address their own local mobility challenges.
What are the main challenges cities face in decarbonising transport — and how does EIT Urban Mobility help?
Cities face multiple and interconnected challenges: fragmented governance structures, limited financial resources, procurement difficulties with innovative solutions, and the need to shift travel behaviour while ensuring social equity and accessibility — all without disrupting daily life for citizens and businesses. Across Europe, transport consistently remains a top concern for citizens and a recurring issue in local and national elections.
EIT Urban Mobility helps cities respond to these challenges by acting as a connector and an enabler. It provides support and co-funding for mobility pilots, reducing the risk of innovation by allowing new solutions to be tested in real urban settings. It also facilitates peer learning through its City Club, where cities can share experiences and best practices. When cities face a specific mobility challenge, EIT Urban Mobility offers targeted programmes that can test potential solutions within a few months — helping cities make informed investment decisions once pilots are completed.
Could you share a recent project where EIT Urban Mobility helped a city reduce emissions or advance sustainable mobility?
Let me share three concrete examples from our network.
In Nicosia, EIT Urban Mobility supported the implementation of an AI software to optimise garbage truck routes and monitor waste collection in real time. The solution, introduced in response to rising waste volumes, an ageing fleet and a municipal merger, led to significant reductions in fuel costs, improved staff allocation and better route planning. It also positions the city for the introduction of a Pay As You Throw system by 2027.
In Oslo, EIT Urban Mobility supported a pilot with Norwegian start-up SurplusMap to optimise electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Oslo aims to reduce emissions by 95% by 2030. The project mapped 118 city-owned chargers and used AI and geospatial analytics to forecast charging demand up to 72 hours in advance, enabling smarter infrastructure planning and more efficient use of urban space.
In Vienna, a pilot tested the 'waveIn' audio navigation app by start-up Dreamwaves inside a metro station. Using AI and computer vision, the app guides blind and visually impaired users through complex transit environments with virtual audio waypoints — improving accessibility and inclusion without requiring new physical infrastructure. The pilot demonstrated a scalable, cost-effective model that other cities can adapt.
Which best practices from your network do you think other European cities could most easily replicate?
With a large and diverse network of cities across Europe, EIT Urban Mobility has identified several highly transferable approaches: low-traffic neighbourhoods supported by real-time data, Mobility as a Service platforms that integrate different transport options, clean urban logistics zones, and structured public-private collaboration frameworks for piloting innovation.
What makes these approaches replicable is not the technology alone, but the process behind them. Starting with small-scale pilots, using real data, involving users early and planning for scale from the outset are the key ingredients. Cities that follow these principles can adapt proven approaches to their own context while minimising risk.
What funding, training or innovation programmes can Covenant signatories access through EIT Urban Mobility?
Right now, one key focus is on supporting cities in developing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). More than 400 urban nodes across Europe are required to build or update a SUMP in the coming years, and EIT Urban Mobility offers dedicated courses and training to support this process — helping cities strengthen internal capacity while aligning mobility planning with climate and resilience goals.
More broadly, EIT Urban Mobility offers open calls for pilots and innovation projects, support for collaboration with start-ups and research partners, and participation in capacity-building programmes. Cities also benefit from networking and matchmaking within a large European community working on sustainable mobility.
How can small municipalities in particular benefit from your support?
Small municipalities often face resource and capacity constraints that limit their ability to innovate independently. Through EIT Urban Mobility, they gain access to expertise, tested solutions and collaborative projects that would otherwise be out of reach. Shared pilots and simplified participation formats allow smaller cities to test solutions at lower risk and cost.
We particularly recommend cities join our online community platform Mobility Innovators, which provides a space to learn, exchange knowledge and debate mobility challenges with peers across Europe. Cities can also observe ongoing pilots to assess whether a solution could be developed in their own context. By learning from larger cities and working with experienced partners, small municipalities can build internal capacity without large teams or budgets.
Are there upcoming initiatives or programmes that Covenant signatories should watch out for?
Absolutely. Members should watch for upcoming calls focused on implementation and scaling, stronger links between mobility and energy planning, and programmes that support cities in turning strategies into concrete projects. There is also growing attention on skills development for local administrations.
Each city can reach out through dedicated hubs, and our colleagues will advise which calls or programmes best fit their needs. Contact details are available at: https://www.eiturbanmobility.eu/who-we-are/contact-us/
What trends do you see as most promising for accelerating climate-neutral mobility in cities?
Several stand out. The integration of mobility with energy and digital systems, electrification combined with smart charging, data-driven traffic management, and the expansion of shared and active mobility at neighbourhood level are all gaining momentum. Equally important are solutions that address behavioural change alongside technology.
In 2026, EIT Urban Mobility is testing AI and autonomous vehicle models that support improved tram, metro and bus services, as well as ferry connections in specific neighbourhoods and driving assistance systems.
Urban logistics is another key priority. Last-mile delivery is becoming increasingly critical as e-commerce grows. EIT Urban Mobility supports solutions ranging from compact electric delivery scooters and e-bike-based delivery systems to AI-driven logistics platforms that optimise routes and reduce unnecessary trips — helping cities significantly cut congestion and pollution while maintaining service quality.
What message would you share with Covenant of Mayors cities working to decarbonise urban mobility?
The key message is that cities are not alone in this transition — and progress does not require perfection from the start. More importantly: it all starts with cities themselves. By collaborating, testing, learning and scaling proven solutions, Covenant of Mayors cities can move faster towards climate-neutral mobility while delivering clear, tangible benefits for citizens and strengthening local resilience.
Details
- Publication date
- 14 May 2026