Strengthening Collaboration: Interregional Matchmaking Event
On 31 January, REFOCUS project partners gathered online for an Interregional Matchmaking Event, an important step in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainable mobility. The event allowed project partners with policy instruments to identify shared challenges, explore potential solutions, and establish connections for future learning exchanges.
Identifying Shared Challenges and Needs
A key highlight of the event was the structured matchmaking process using a bespoke matchmaking tool prepared in advance by REFOCUS Lead Partner CERTH. Using the tool, each partner city presented its primary mobility challenges and explored Good Practices (GPs) from other regions that could address them. Despite regional differences, strong thematic correlations emerged:
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
Several cities emphasized the need to transition from intuition-based policymaking to data-driven mobility planning. For example, Poznań sought improved traffic modelling through real-time data, aligning with Region Emilia-Romagna’s regional transport model that makes use of anonymised real-time phone data. Similarly, Sint-Niklaas and the Region of Central Macedonia identified data integration as crucial for more effective transport policies, making Stockholm’s Environmental Barometer a relevant reference. - Multimodal Integration and MaaS (Mobility as a Service)
The need for better integration of various transport modes was another recurring theme. ITL (Emilia-Romagna) aimed to enhance multimodal transport and integrate public transport data, linking well with HIT’s transport model and Stockholm’s EV charging reports. Meanwhile, JUDU (Vilnius), managing multiple independent mobility operators, showed strong interest in Region Emilia-Romagna’s MaaS initiative to improve platform integration and encourage a shift toward sustainable transport. - Citizen Engagement and Mobility Data Collection
Public participation in data collection was a key priority for some partners. Stockholm, for instance, highlighted the importance of engaging citizens in mobility data collection, making Sint-Niklaas’ citizen science approach a promising model for adaptation.
Refining Matches and Strengthening Collaborations
Following the presentations, an interactive matchmaking session using an online MURAL Board allowed partners to refine their selected Good Practices based on new insights. Through direct discussions between “donor” and “receiver” cities, key implementation challenges—such as technical feasibility, financial constraints, and legal considerations—will be clarified using contributions to the MURAL Board as the starting point.
Key Outcomes and Next Steps
The event successfully established new pathways for collaboration:
✔️ Refinement of GP Matches – Partners revised their selected Good Practices after learning from each other’s presentations.
✔️ Identifying Key Barriers – Donors and receivers discussed potential challenges in adapting Good Practices to local contexts.
✔️ Bilateral Follow-Up Exchanges – Cities and regions agreed to hold additional meetings for deeper knowledge-sharing.
✔️ Study Visit Preparation – Hosts of upcoming study visits will tailor presentations based on the MURAL Board discussions, ensuring targeted and relevant learning experiences.
Moving forward, partners will continue refining their GP selections, donor cities will prepare targeted presentations, and the MURAL Board will remain open for additional input. These next steps will ensure that the matchmaking process translates into practical, actionable learning experiences across the REFOCUS project consortium.