The CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE Network has been actively promoting sustainable urban mobility in small and medium-sized cities throughout 2025 through a series of capacity-building initiatives, events and sustainable transport planning. With a focus on climate resilience, sustainable mobility, and citizen engagement, the network brings together local authorities, experts, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, best practices, and innovative strategies for creating more sustainable, connected, and climate-friendly urban environments.
Conference “Urban Climate Resilience – Greening and Sustainable Mobility Planning” / 10th CIVINET Forum (Zagreb, 12 – 14 November)
This three-day regional event transformed Zagreb into a hub for dialogue on climate resilience and sustainable mobility, gathering over 100 representatives from cities, ministries, academia, and the private sector. The program opened with the “Transformation of Urban Space and Transport Policy” workshop under the CLIMove project, featuring contemporary approaches to human-centric urban transformation and Croatian examples such as Zagreb’s pedestrian zones and bike-sharing expansion, and Pula’s green rain gardens. Participants engaged in field tours of sustainable practices, including green pedestrian tours, “Bajs” bike tours, and visits to the rail industry (Končar and ZET) to discuss rail as a pillar of climate resilience. The central day featured the 10th CIVINET Forum and the 12th General Assembly of the Network, where experts like Pedro Homem de Gouveia from the POLIS network discussed key challenges of climate, cohesion, and competitiveness. The event also included the official celebration of the 25th anniversary of ODRAZ. The three day event concluded with the first module of the “Urban Mobility Academy for Climate Resilient Cities,” a specialized educational program for Western Balkan city officials focused on infrastructure adaptation and green-blue infrastructure solutions.
Urban Mobility Days 2025 (Vilnius, 30 September – 2 October)
The Secretariat of the CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE network, along with members from Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, participated in the European Commission’s flagship urban mobility conference, which gathered over 800 experts under the motto of sustainable, safe, and inclusive mobility. The three-day program focused on a new generation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), multimodal hubs connected to the TEN-T network, urban charging stations, and the integration of cycling into European transport policies. Key discussions highlighted that innovation must support policy goals—such as autonomous taxis complementing public transport—while ensuring that mobility remains affordable and accessible through prioritized funding. The conference also emphasized the implementation of the EU Declaration on Cycling and the need to anchor tourism mobility within SUMPs to balance the needs of residents and visitors. On the final day, the Director of ODRAZ and Vice-President of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group, Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, participated in a panel on the synergies between public transport, land use, and housing policies. She emphasized that affordable public transport and active civil society engagement are essential foundations for employment equality, education access, and the creation of compact, sustainable communities.
Webinar “Paradigm Shift in Transport Planning – How to Solve 21st Century Transport Challenges?” (8 October)
Organized by the CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE network in collaboration with the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS), this webinar gathered experts, decision-makers, and planners to explore the transition from traditional car-oriented planning to transformative models. The session focused on the necessity of linking transport with spatial planning to improve urban quality of life, addressing topics such as induced demand, the implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), and the social and political changes required to establish fairer, more sustainable transport systems.
Organized by ODRAZ as part of the “Autumn Talks on the Future of Mobility” series and marking European Sustainable Development Week, this webinar examined the impact of disinformation on climate transition. The event focused on the role of strategic communication in building public trust for green policies, identifying reliable information sources, and the necessity of media literacy. Discussions highlighted the importance of transparent, two-way dialogue between institutions and citizens to overcome skepticism toward sustainable mobility and to foster long-term public support for environmental goals.
Webinar “Mobility for All” (5 September)
In anticipation of the European Mobility Week 2025, the CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE network, in cooperation with GIZ, the Transport Community, and NALAS, organized a webinar focused on tackling transport poverty. Held within the “WB Adapt” project, the session was primarily dedicated to cities in the Western Balkans to promote equitable and sustainable transport policies. The theme emphasized ensuring that all citizens—regardless of income, gender, or ability—have access to safe and affordable mobility, while providing cities with practical tools, European Commission recommendations, and best practice examples for integrating inclusivity into their local activities.
Study Visit “Bridging the Gap: Achieving Inclusivity in Urban Mobility” (Budapest, 25 – 26 June)
Hosted by the CIVITAS initiative, Magyar CIVINET, and the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK), this study trip focused on designing transport systems that address the diverse needs of all citizens beyond the “average passenger”. Representatives from the CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE Secretariat joined 35 European experts to explore technical and political forums on systemic planning failures, highlighting the necessity of advocacy for marginalized groups such as the elderly, caregivers, and persons with reduced mobility. The program featured practical examples of barrier-free movement and inclusive dialogue from Ukraine and Romania, alongside field visits to Budapest’s accessible hubs and green cycling corridors. The event concluded with co-creation workshops where participants developed strategies to ensure that urban mobility solutions are replicable, affordable, and centered on shared community ownership.
CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE Regional Conference “Green Urban Transport Solutions” (Ohrid, 24 – 25 April)
The CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE network, in collaboration with GIZ, the Transport Community, the Municipality of Ohrid, and the Bitola Faculty of Technical Sciences, co-organized this international event for over 140 participants from 10 countries. The conference focused on dialogue regarding climate resilience, digital solutions, and the electrification of public transport fleets using electricity and hydrogen. Discussions emphasized the need for national and local sustainable mobility plans, legal harmonization with the Clean Vehicles Directive, and the integration of cycling and rail to reduce urban pollution. During the event, the CIVINET network received an Award for Excellence for its contribution to transport science and sustainable innovation. The program featured the scientific session “Transport for Today’s Society,” a panel on participatory planning involving civil society, and a study visit exploring water-based transport as a sustainable mobility alternative.
Study Visit of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to CIVINET Members (Ljubljana, 20 – 21 March)
The CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE network and the City of Ljubljana hosted an EESC study group for the preparation of an opinion on sustainable urban mobility planning in the EU, with Lidija Pavić-Rogošić (ODRAZ) serving as the rapporteur. The visit highlighted Slovenia as an excellent example of national support for cities in developing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). The program included presentations on Ljubljana’s urban projects, citizen participation, and the work of the CIVITAS initiative and the CIVINET network. The second day was dedicated to visiting best practice examples, including the Info Point of the Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, the “Kavalir” free transport service, pedestrian zones, the transformation of Slovenska Street into a shared space, and a visit to the Rog Center creative hub.
CIVINET Webinar “Transport Poverty in Rural Areas” (16 January)
Organized by the CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE Secretariat (ODRAZ) as part of the CLIMove project, this webinar gathered 66 participants, including Members of the European Parliament and EU experts, to address mobility challenges in rural communities. The event focused on how transport poverty hinders access to essential services like healthcare and education, aligning with the goals of the EU Rural Pact and the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas. Featuring research from Romania, Hungary, and Croatia, as well as insights from the POLIS network and REGEA, the discussion emphasized that transport poverty is a systemic socio-economic issue rather than a personal choice. Key conclusions highlighted the urgent need to integrate rural mobility into national strategies and provide diversified, accessible alternatives to ensure a just transition to climate neutrality.
Informing
- Website civinet-slohr.eu – 55 posts
- The website is updated with the latest information and announcements of events and good practices from the EU concerning the topic of sustainable urban mobility, news from Croatia, Slovenia and the region, as well as an overview of the activities of CIVINET members.
- CIVINET Info – 9 issues CIVINET members and other interested stakeholders, as well as the media, are kept up to date through this newsletter. It covers the activities of the Network and members, announcements of interesting events in the field of sustainable urban mobility, updates, and examples of good practice from the EU. This newsletter is received by over 800 interested parties, primarily from Croatia and Slovenia, but also from other countries where the Network operates
- Facebook page Održiva mobilnost u gradovima – 109 posts, 6.240 followers
- Instagram page @odrziva.mobilnost.u.gradovima – 83 posts, 71 stories, 358 followers
- LinkedIn page CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-South East Europe – 42 posts, 726 followers