From experimentation to real-life application, autonomous transport is moving closer to everyday reality. In Bad Schönborn (Germany), a small municipality is becoming a testing ground for the future of public mobility within the EU-funded GINEVRA project.

A small town at the forefront of innovation

In the German municipality of Bad Schönborn, autonomous electric shuttle buses are already circulating, without a driver behind the wheel. Instead, an onboard operator ensures safety and can intervene if necessary, as required by current regulations.

This pilot is part of the European project GINEVRA, funded under the European Regional Development Fund, bringing together partners from seven countries, including research institutions, municipalities, and technology providers. Notably, Bad Schönborn stands out as the smallest municipality involved and the only German participant, demonstrating how even small communities can play a key role in shaping Europe’s innovation landscape.

How does the autonomous shuttle work?

The vehicle operates along a predefined virtual route, guided by a sophisticated system of sensors and algorithms that continuously analyse the surrounding environment. During testing, the shuttle successfully navigates complex scenarios such as:

• Traffic lights and crossings
• Simulated construction zones
• Bus stops and pedestrian areas

Currently, the system is capable of handling approximately 93% of real-life situations autonomously, with ongoing improvements aimed at reaching full operational capacity.

The shuttle can carry up to nine passengers and operate for six to nine hours continuously, depending on energy use. Its quiet, smooth movement and precise decision-making have already impressed many of the citizens who participated in the test rides.

Public interest and social acceptance

The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive. More than 600 people registered to experience the shuttle, ranging from very young passengers to elderly residents.

Beyond the technological aspect, the project strongly focuses on social acceptance. Researchers, including partners such as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, are studying how people perceive and trust autonomous mobility solutions. This human-centred approach is essential: innovation is not only about technology, but also about ensuring that communities feel confident, safe, and included in the transition.

Despite the technological readiness, the widespread deployment of autonomous buses still faces significant regulatory and bureaucratic barriers.

In Germany, autonomous vehicles are not yet authorised for regular public transport without strict conditions. Even limited testing on public roads can involve substantial administrative costs, making experimentation difficult for smaller municipalities. As a result, the Bad Schönborn pilot currently operates on private land, highlighting the gap between technological capability and regulatory frameworks.

A vision for the future of local mobility

Local authorities see strong potential for autonomous transport, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, where traditional public transport services often face limitations.

Autonomous shuttles could:

• Address driver shortages
• Improve connectivity in remote areas
• Provide flexible, on-demand mobility solutions
• Reduce operational costs in the long term

While full integration into public transport systems may still take time, projects like GINEVRA are crucial in testing, refining, and demonstrating what is possible.

This initiative reflects a broader European ambition: to develop sustainable, innovative, and inclusive mobility systems.

By combining technological experimentation with real-life testing and citizen engagement, the project contributes to:

• Evidence-based policymaking
• Smarter urban and regional planning
• Stronger cooperation between public authorities, research institutions, and private actors

The experience of Bad Schönborn shows that the future of mobility is not a distant concept, but something that is already being tested today. However, the path forward requires more than technology alone. It demands adapted regulations, public trust, and strong multi-level cooperation, areas where organisations like ALDA+ play a key role in bridging innovation, governance, and community engagement.

As Europe continues to invest in smart mobility, small municipalities like Bad Schönborn are proving that innovation can start anywhere and have an impact everywhere.

The final conference of the 3P4SSE project, held on 24 March 2026, brought together project partners, regional authorities, EU representatives, and social economy practitioners from across Central Europe. It concluded the three-year initiative to strengthen the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) through improved governance, cooperation models, and cross-border exchange, while outlining future perspectives.

The event was formally opened and brought to a close by Luciano Galetti, representing the Lead Partner (Autonomous Province of Trento) in his capacity as Director of the Territorial Cohesion Office and 3P4SSE Project Manager.

Opening the event, Gregorio Vichi from the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Joint Secretariat noted that more than 700 stakeholders contributed to the project, sharing their views on the value of cooperation to support Europe’s transformation and cohesion. He outlined the project’s focus on testing public–private partnerships (PPP), implementing pilot actions, ensuring long-term sustainability, and presenting upcoming programme opportunities. Building on this introduction, Luca Scolfaro of the LINKS Foundation highlighted that SSE systems are shaped by institutional frameworks, historical welfare models, and evolving European policies, including the Social Economy Action Plan and EU enlargement. Within this context, the project developed a methodology to harmonise definitions, map social actors, and translate findings into Local Action Plans. Social procurement emerged as a key tool for embedding social impact into public contracts. This strategic framing paved the way for presenting the concrete territorial solutions developed across the participating countries.

The first example, from the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Trentino Federation for Cooperation, focused on mapping the local potential of the solidarity economy. By combining a 30-year review of PPP experiences with participatory mapping, dialogue platforms, and co-management tools, the initiative strengthened collaboration among institutions, civil society, and citizens. 

A similarly structured approach was illustrated by the Croatian pilot led by the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. The process began with policy assessment, ecosystem mapping, and co-design workshops. It then progressed to capacity-building activities, the creation of a digital platform for social enterprises, and the integration of SSE priorities into regional policies. The activation phase translated these efforts into practice through a call supporting 12 initiatives, youth engagement in schools, and mentoring schemes for emerging entrepreneurs. Finally, the establishment of a knowledge platform and the institutional recognition of SSE marked a transition towards long-term consolidation. 

While Croatia followed a phased approach, Slovenia presented two complementary solutions for distinct territorial contexts. In urban Maribor, the ZDRAVKA platform unified 80 previously fragmented social programmes into a coordinated, digitally supported network embedded in the regional Welfare Strategy, with plans to expand across the Podravje region. In parallel, the rural initiative Živo Gnezdo applied a “Community Spiral” methodology to stabilise local innovation, bringing together 34 providers under a shared framework and strengthening PPP collaboration. 

The Hungarian pilot tackled structural challenges, including fragmentation, limited funding, and low visibility of SSE actors. Formalising cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding and integrating the platform into the Szombathely 2030 Strategy marked key steps toward institutionalisation.

In Poland, ARLEG implemented a structured roadmap combining regional analysis, capacity-building, and promotional activities. Emphasis was placed on socially responsible public procurement, supported by the “Buy Socially” campaign and a Social Purchase Mark. A Letter of Intent formalised stakeholder commitment, with expected outcomes including enhanced competencies, greater visibility of SSE actors, and durable public-private partnerships.

Following the territorial presentations, the SSE Network was introduced to sustain results and foster cross-border cooperation, with Trento-based governance, a three-year membership, and a digital platform offering resources and networking tools. Capacity building remained central, with FAB’s joint curriculum, developed through assessments, training, workshops, and feedback, strengthening SSE competencies in sustainability, communication, social innovation, and stakeholder engagement beyond the project’s duration. Complementing these achievements, Gianluca Salvatori of EURICSE highlighted that SSE credibility relies on aligned governance, evidence-based approaches, and strong local ownership, demonstrating the value of a flexible “family of solutions” while identifying opportunities to strengthen monitoring, stabilise funding, and sustain long-term momentum.

At the European policy level, Commission representatives highlighted initiatives like 3P4SSE in supporting small projects and addressing brain drain, inequality, and care-service gaps. Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic, Director for Social Rights and Inclusion at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion, introduced the forthcoming “Care Deal” on long-term care, childcare, and informal carers, stressing continuity beyond project funding, while the policy officer Baptiste Mandouze noted the sector’s 4.3 million organisations and ESF+ funding opportunities. Sara Casillo, Permanent manager – ESF Planning and Implementation Sector at Tecnostruttura, highlighted the role of Italian regions, noting that while ESF+ remains central, emerging EU priorities call for maintaining a strong Cohesion Fund in future frameworks.

The conference concluded with Social Economy Europe stressing democratic governance, active participation, regional involvement in Cohesion Fund processes, and social cohesion. Overall, 3P4SSE delivered territorial solutions, a shared framework, and a cross-border network, underscoring that long-term governance, evidence-based planning, and local ownership are key to consolidating SSE in Central Europe. 

On 5 February in Brussels, the Final Conference of the GreenScape CE project brought together cities, practitioners, researchers and EU institutions to reflect on how nature-based solutions (NbS) can move beyond isolated pilot actions and become a structural component of urban planning and cohesion policy in Central Europe. Organised within the framework of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme, the event marked a key moment for taking stock of lessons learned and discussing how to scale up climate adaptation efforts in urban areas increasingly exposed to environmental risks, health pressures and demographic change.

Throughout the conference, a shared understanding emerged: urban areas are on the frontline of climate change, and nature-based solutions must be treated as a strategic response rather than an optional add-on. Speakers consistently highlighted the need to recognise NbS as core urban infrastructure, capable of delivering multiple long-term benefits — from flood prevention and heat mitigation to improved public health and social wellbeing — when embedded into planning, investment and governance frameworks.

This perspective was reinforced by contributions from EU-level representatives and local authorities alike, who stressed that climate adaptation is no longer the responsibility of a single “green” department. Instead, it requires cross-sectoral coordination, political ownership and a shared narrative that connects environmental objectives with mobility, public space, health and social inclusion. In this sense, the conference programme reflected a growing maturity in how cities approach climate resilience, moving from sectoral experimentation to integrated urban strategies.

A central theme running through the discussions was the importance of transnational cooperation. Within the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE context, cooperation was repeatedly framed not as a supplementary value, but as a necessary condition for addressing complex challenges such as climate change. By enabling comparison across territories, sharing evidence and aligning methodologies, cooperation allows successful approaches to be transferred, adapted and sustained beyond individual project lifecycles.

The GreenScape CE project offered concrete examples of how this transition from pilots to systemic change can be supported in practice. Particular attention was given to the role of analytical and decision-support tools, such as the project’s visual mapping platform, designed to support evidence-based planning of nature-based solutions. By integrating spatial, climate, health and demographic data into an accessible interface, the platform helps local authorities, planners and citizens navigate complexity and embed NbS into everyday decision-making processes.

At the same time, the conference placed strong emphasis on meaningful citizen participation as a cornerstone of successful urban greening. Experiences shared by project partners illustrated how co-creation processes, hackathons and awareness-raising tools can empower residents to engage with urban nature and contribute local knowledge that complements technical expertise. Participation was presented not only as a democratic principle, but as a practical asset that strengthens the relevance, acceptance and long-term impact of NbS interventions — an approach strongly aligned with the contribution of ALDA+ within the project.

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Scaling nature-based solutions requires treating urban greening as a shared responsibility, combining technical expertise, political commitment and meaningful citizen participation

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Looking ahead, several interventions underlined that mainstreaming nature-based solutions also depends on skills development and workforce upskilling. The emergence of new professional profiles, such as climate-resilient urban greening specialists, was highlighted as a key enabler for ensuring that NbS can be properly designed, implemented and maintained over time. Investing in skills was presented as an essential step towards making urban greening “business as usual”, rather than a series of short-term initiatives.

The conference also addressed the persistent challenges linked to financing and governance. Discussions pointed to the need for clearer business models, blended public–private funding and stronger political backing to ensure that proven solutions can inform wider investment strategies, including cohesion policy and EU climate adaptation frameworks. Without appropriate financial structures and institutional anchoring, speakers warned, the risk remains that successful pilots fail to reach the scale required to generate systemic change.

These reflections converged in the final roundtable discussion, which focused explicitly on how to move from pilots to policy. Participants agreed that scaling up nature-based solutions requires not only technical evidence, but also governance models capable of bridging local, regional and European levels. Strong leadership, policy coherence and capitalisation of project results were identified as decisive factors for ensuring that investments in urban nature are not lost, but instead become an integral part of long-term development strategies.

The GreenScape CE Final Conference concluded with a forward-looking reflection on the project’s legacy. Beyond its pilots, tools and methodologies, GreenScape CE has contributed to a broader shift in how cities across Central Europe conceive and govern urban nature. By connecting cooperation, participation, skills and finance, the project offers a transferable pathway for turning climate ambition into durable and inclusive urban transformation.

On 5 February 2026, the GreenScape CE Final Conference will take place in Brussels, marking the conclusion of 30 months of transnational cooperation under the Interreg Central Europe Programme. The event will bring together representatives of European institutions, city administrations, regional agencies, research organisations and civil society to reflect on how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Green Infrastructure (GI) can support more resilient, inclusive and climate-ready cities across Central Europe.

Hosted at the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce, the conference represents a key moment to capitalise on the results of the GreenScape CE project and to connect local innovation with wider European policy discussions.

Supporting climate-proof urban transformation

Throughout its implementation, GreenScape CE has supported cities and regions in integrating NbS and green infrastructure into urban governance, planning and investment frameworks. The project focused on bridging the gap between climate adaptation strategies and practical implementation, promoting nature-based approaches as effective responses to challenges such as urban heat stress, climate risks, public space regeneration and complex governance environments.

As part of this effort, pilot actions were implemented in five Central European cities, testing innovative solutions and participatory approaches tailored to local contexts. These pilots demonstrated how NbS can deliver multiple benefits — environmental, social and economic — when embedded into decision-making processes and supported by appropriate governance tools.

Practical tools for cities and public authorities

Beyond local experimentation, GreenScape CE has developed a comprehensive set of strategic and technical tools to support replication and long-term uptake. These include:

• a Visual Mapping Platform presenting the pilot actions and their impacts; 
• technical and tendering guidelines for implementing NbS and green infrastructure; 
• a financing handbook designed for public project developers; 
• citizen-oriented awareness and co-creation tools to strengthen participation and ownership. 

The Final Conference will showcase these outputs, offering participants an overview of the project’s concrete results and the lessons learned from transnational cooperation.

A programme focused on impact and scalability

The conference programme will open with a high-level plenary session, featuring contributions from the project’s Lead Partner REGEA, the Interreg Central Europe Joint Secretariat, representatives of EU institutions and pilot cities.

Participants will then be invited to explore the project’s achievements through a virtual tour of the pilot cities, using the Visual Mapping Platform as an interactive storytelling and learning tool.

Thematic exchanges will follow, focusing on how Nature-based Solutions contribute to:

• public health and wellbeing,
• green skills and capacity building,
• effective and inclusive governance,
• innovative financing approaches,
• citizen engagement and co-creation. 

A central moment of the event will be the Forward Dialogue Roundtable, entitled “From Pilots to Policy: Scaling Nature-Based Urban Transformation in Central Europe”. This discussion will bring together cities, European networks and EU-level stakeholders to explore future policy pathways, replication opportunities and the role of NbS in shaping Europe’s urban transition.

Looking beyond the project lifecycle

The conference will conclude with the presentation of the GreenScape CE legacy, outlining next steps for sustaining and scaling the project’s results beyond its formal end. In line with the Interreg Central Europe Programme’s core principle that “Cooperation is Central”, the event will emphasise the importance of continued collaboration to address shared urban and climate challenges.

Event details

• Date: Wednesday, 5 February 2026
• Time: 09:00–14:00 (including a networking lunch)
• Venue: Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce, Rue de la Loi 26, Brussels
• Format: Hybrid (In-person & Online)

Participants are invited to register. The agenda is here and registration details are available on the project website here.

On 7–8 May 2025, the city of Cesena, Italy, hosted the fifth GINEVRA Partner Meeting, bringing together project partners at a crucial moment in the lead-up to the project’s final implementation phase. The meeting provided an important space to review progress on autonomous vehicle (AV) pilots, refine governance and engagement strategies, and strengthen coordination ahead of upcoming demonstration activities.

From the perspective of ALDA+, the Cesena meeting highlighted once again the importance of connecting technological innovation with inclusive governance, effective communication, and local institutional capacity.

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Advancing AV governance and preparing demonstrations

The first day of the meeting took place at the Comune di Cesena and focused on technical and strategic updates across GINEVRA’s core activities. Partners shared progress on demo site preparations in Cesena, Varaždin, and Bad Schönborn, with a dedicated coordination session moderated by TU Wien to align timelines and expectations for the upcoming implementation phase.

Discussions also covered advancements under Work Package 2, with partners exchanging insights from ongoing stakeholder and citizen engagement activities. These exchanges reinforced the project’s shared understanding that governance frameworks and public dialogue must evolve alongside technical development.

In this context, ALDA+ led a dedicated session on risk and emergency communication, underlining the role of clear, timely, and responsive messaging as autonomous mobility pilots move closer to real-world testing. The session emphasised that public trust, transparency, and preparedness are essential components of responsible innovation in urban mobility.

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Transnational perspectives on autonomous mobility

The second day moved to the historic Biblioteca Malatestiana, a UNESCO-recognised cultural landmark that provided a symbolic backdrop for discussions on the relationship between heritage and innovation. The Transnational Seminar, titled “State of the Art and Perspectives for AV in Europe”, brought together contributions from TU Wien, inBlenda, and EMFIE, offering both European and global perspectives on regulatory frameworks, case studies, and future pathways for autonomous vehicle deployment.

The setting itself invited reflection on how cities can balance respect for historical identity with forward-looking urban transformation. A guided visit of the Biblioteca followed, reinforcing the meeting’s central theme: innovation is most sustainable when it is embedded within local context and shared values.

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Moving towards final implementation

The Cesena Partner Meeting marked an important milestone as GINEVRA moves decisively into its final implementation phase. With demonstration activities approaching, the exchanges helped clarify roles, strengthen collaboration among partners, and align expectations on governance tools and capitalisation strategies.

For ALDA+, this phase is particularly significant in ensuring that project results translate into practical, accessible, and transferable governance solutions for local authorities across Central Europe. By integrating technical expertise with participatory approaches and strategic communication, GINEVRA continues to demonstrate how cities can responsibly manage the challenges and opportunities of autonomous mobility.

A warm thank you goes to the Comune di Cesena for hosting the meeting and providing an inspiring setting for dialogue, as well as to all project partners for their continued commitment and collaboration.

On 10–11 December 2025, partners of the GINEVRA project gathered in Karlsruhe, Germany, for the sixth in-person Partner Meeting, marking a key milestone in the project’s final implementation phase. The meeting took place at a crucial moment, as GINEVRA moves from pilot implementation towards consolidation, uptake, and long-term impact.

From the perspective of ALDA+, the Karlsruhe meeting represented an important opportunity to align governance, technical innovation, and communication efforts around one central question: how can cities manage the societal and institutional implications of autonomous mobility in a responsible, inclusive, and future-proof way?

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From local pilots to demonstration results

A central focus of the meeting was the exchange on citizen and stakeholder engagement pilots. Pilot cities, including Ptuj, Nyíregyháza, and Słupsk, shared concrete experiences on how participatory approaches can support more transparent and legitimate governance processes around emerging mobility solutions.

These discussions reaffirmed a key message that has guided GINEVRA since its inception: technological innovation alone is not sufficient. Effective governance of autonomous vehicles requires early dialogue with citizens, local stakeholders, and public authorities, ensuring that innovation responds to real societal needs and concerns.

In parallel, partners reviewed technology demonstration activities, with in-depth discussions on demos implemented in Varaždin and Cesena, as well as progress updates from Bad Schönborn. These exchanges highlighted the interdependence between technical deployment, governance frameworks, and communication strategies, particularly when it comes to public trust and policy relevance.

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Strengthening tools, communication, and uptake

Beyond pilots and demos, the Karlsruhe meeting served as a strategic coordination moment for the project’s final phase. Partners jointly reviewed the state of play and next steps for the GINEVRA Toolkit, discussed pathways for uptake and mainstreaming beyond the project’s lifetime, and aligned on final implementation steps.

In this context, ALDA+ contributed particularly to discussions on communication, dissemination, and capitalisation. Updates presented during the meeting showcased the project’s growing visibility, including increased social media engagement, the publication of success stories, and targeted coverage of Demo Days. These efforts underline the importance of evidence-based storytelling in translating project results into actionable knowledge for policymakers and local authorities.

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From results to long-term impact

The Karlsruhe Partner Meeting confirmed GINEVRA’s role as a transnational learning platform for cities navigating the governance challenges of autonomous mobility. By bringing together local authorities, researchers, and governance experts, the project demonstrates how collaborative, place-based approaches can help cities anticipate and manage transformative innovations responsibly.

As GINEVRA enters its final months, the focus now shifts towards consolidating results, strengthening capitalisation, and ensuring long-term accessibility of project outcomes. For ALDA+, this phase is particularly important in supporting public authorities across Central Europe to translate lessons learned into sustainable governance practices that extend well beyond the project’s formal duration.

Watch the Winter Holidays video made by Marco Boaria, CEO of ALDA+, and discover the 2025 highlights of the Benefit Corporation!

As 2025 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the key milestones achieved by ALDA+, made possible by the commitment and passion with which our team works every day to promote the values we believe in.

It is a moment to look back, but also to look ahead: our goal remains to deliver ever more effective services and to develop impactful projects, building on our successes while learning from the challenges we have faced along the way.

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International School 2025

From 3 to 5 September, in the beautiful setting of Villa Fabris in Thiene, we organised the second edition of the ALDA+ International School.

This year’s theme, “Resilient Communities: Strengthening Local Democracy in Times of Change”, offered an opportunity to reflect on the urgent need to protect democratic systems in a historical moment marked by increasingly complex global challenges.

Over the three days, numerous young participants engaged in discussions with experts from across Europe and beyond, addressing topics such as trust in democratic institutions, the role of technological progress, and the future enlargement of the European Union.

Building on this experience, we are already looking ahead with the aim of organising a third edition in 2026, featuring an even more ambitious programme and new thematic pathways.

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AVGG – Alta Via della Grande Guerra

2025 marked a further step for ALDA+ in its commitment to promoting and enhancing the territory of the Alto Vicentino, a historical and cultural heritage of great value that deserves to be known and preserved.

In this context, ALDA+ has been involved for several years in activities related to the Alta Via della Grande Guerra (AVGG), a hiking route of approximately 200 km that crosses the Vicentine Pre-Alps and preserves the memory of the First World War. By providing technical assistance to the project leader, the Province of Vicenza, ALDA+ contributes to the development and promotion of this initiative.

During 2025, among the main activities carried out, 12 guided hikes were organised, offering participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the historical events that shaped these places, while also highlighting the area’s natural beauty and local food and wine traditions.

If you are interested in learning more and taking part in upcoming activities, we invite you to stay updated via our website and social media channels: new initiatives are already planned for 2026!

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Training activities

During 2025, ALDA+ continued to deliver training programmes focused on Project Cycle Management and European funding programmes, with the aim of strengthening the skills of individuals, public bodies, and organisations interested in EU project development. Through these courses, we supported many participants in transforming project ideas into well-structured and concrete proposals.

Building on the positive feedback received and the growing level of interest, in 2026 we plan to further expand our training offer, developing new content and reaching an even wider audience.

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Technical Assistance

Alongside training activities, in 2025 ALDA+ continued to provide technical assistance services to public bodies and organisations that share our values and objectives. Through this work, we support partners in the development of strategies, projects, and communication activities, helping to strengthen their impact at the local level.

Among the most significant collaborations, ALDA+ is responsible for the communication of the LIFE Svolta Blu project for Viacqua, the joint-stock company managing the integrated water service in 67 municipalities of the Province of Vicenza. This collaboration is a concrete example of how technical assistance can support the dissemination of good practices and raise awareness on key issues such as the sustainable management of water resources.

Looking ahead to 2026, we aim to continue and further consolidate this commitment by expanding our partnerships and strengthening the technical support offered to our partners.

We would like to conclude with a heartfelt thank you to all the people, organisations, and partners who have walked alongside us throughout 2025. It is thanks to collaboration, trust, and shared commitment that ALDA+ has been able to achieve these results and continue to grow.

The year 2025 leaves us with new skills, strengthened relationships, and ideas on which to build. With this spirit, we look ahead to 2026 with enthusiasm, ready to take on new challenges and develop even more ambitious and impactful projects.

See you in 2026!

On 22–23 October 2025, the Croatian city of Varaždin hosted the first Demonstration Days of the GINEVRA project, marking a major milestone in Central Europe’s efforts to shape the future of autonomous mobility. Over two days, the city transformed its airfield into a real-life test environment, where citizens, students, public institutions, and professionals experienced firsthand how responsible innovation can be governed on the ground.

Funded by the Interreg Central Europe Programme, GINEVRA helps cities develop and test governance tools to responsibly manage technological transformations – such as autonomous vehicles – while keeping citizens at the heart of decision-making.

From policy to practice

Organised by the City of Varaždin, together with GINEVRA partners, the Demonstration Days brought together a variety of community groups and local stakeholders to test the autonomous shuttle developed within the project.

Before the official opening, emergency services tested the vehicle on 21 October, ensuring that safety protocols were in place for all participants. The following days were structured around thematic sessions:

• Day 1 (22 October): Public authorities, students, elderly citizens, and people with special needs
• Day 2 (23 October): Academic institutions, professional associations, businesses, and emergency service representatives

Each group experienced a test drive and was invited to share feedback using the GINEVRA app, a digital tool designed to capture citizens’ perceptions, comfort levels, and trust in autonomous technologies. This participatory approach turns the demos into both a technological experiment and a social dialogue on innovation governance.

Innovation with inclusion

While the self-driving shuttle captured attention, the true focus of Varaždin’s Demo Days was inclusion. The city demonstrated how innovation can be tested in a way that is accessible, transparent, and beneficial to all segments of society – from schoolchildren learning about future mobility, to elderly residents exploring accessibility solutions.

This approach mirrors the essence of GINEVRA: that innovation must be co-designed, citizen-oriented, and ethically guided. By engaging multiple user groups, Varaždin proved that responsible governance is not only about regulating technology, but also about building trust and understanding citizens’ perspectives.

In the national spotlight

The event attracted nationwide media coverage, with reports featured on Croatia’s three national television channels (HRT, NOVA TV, and RTL), as well as local broadcaster VTV and numerous online media outlets.

Highlights include:

• City of Varaždin Official News : announcing the local initiative and its European relevance
• eVaraždin :  featuring video coverage from the demonstration site
• Mnovine.hr : highlighting the public participation aspect and community engagement
• Financije.hr : focusing on the economic and technological dimensions of the project
• Zimo Dnevnik : presenting the innovation and technology narrative to national audiences
• Regionalni.com : offering photos and testimonials from participants at the airfield
• Varaždinske Vijesti : documenting the live demonstration and reactions from local citizens

Watch the HRT national report here.

Leading by example

The Varaždin Demonstration Days marked the first real-world milestone of GINEVRA, setting a precedent for the project’s next pilots in Cesena (Italy) and Bad Schönborn (Germany). Insights collected from participants will contribute to a transnational strategy for governing technological innovation across Central Europe.

As Mayor Neven Bosilj noted, “Varaždin has shown that even smaller cities can play a big role in shaping the future of mobility. We are proud to be part of a European initiative that not only tests technology but also builds trust, inclusion, and awareness among citizens.”

About GINEVRA

GINEVRA – Governance Innovation for Emerging Technologies in Responsible Automotive Mobility – is an Interreg Central Europe project supporting cities in governing transformative innovations such as autonomous vehicles. The project develops governance guidelines and citizen engagement tools tested in pilot actions across Europe, contributing to a transnational strategy for responsible innovation.

Discover how GINEVRA helps cities across Central Europe govern innovation responsibly: www.interreg-central.eu/projects/ginevra

On 9 November 2025, Marco Boaria, Director of Programmes & Development at ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy and CEO of ALDA+, took part in TEDxVicenza with a talk that blended history, identity, and European citizenship under the title “Europa: il Progetto che ci progetta” (“Europe: the Project that Designs Us”).

The event was held at H-FARM International School in Vicenza — Visionary Partner of TEDxVicenza 2025 — where participants spent a full day exploring workshops and immersive experiences dedicated to communication, sustainability, art, inclusion, and innovation.

A European Approach Rooted in the Local

In his talk at TEDxVicenza, Marco Boaria offered a powerful reflection on what it truly means to work with and for Europe today. According to Boaria, the European Union should not be seen as a distant institution or a mere source of funding, but as a shared space of cooperation, where citizens, local authorities, and civil society organisations act as co-creators of change.

“Europe is not something we receive — it is something we build, together.”

Drawing on the experience of ALDA and ALDA+, Marco presented an approach based on partnership, where territories are not passive beneficiaries of European policies, but active actors in their design and implementation.
Through cooperation, participation, and the exchange of good practices, Europe becomes a concrete driver for local development, capable of generating real impact within communities.

Through an interactive and immersive experience inspired by the Alta Via della Grande Guerra, Marco guided the audience on a symbolic journey across the Prealps of Vicenza — a territory where nature, history, and collective memory intertwine. These mountains, rich with trenches, forts, and paths carved during World War I, form a living museum that preserves both the scars and values of the past.

He recalled how, since 2001, the Province of Vicenza, together with the Unione Montana Spettabile Reggenza dei Sette Comuni, the Veneto Region, and 24 municipalities, has worked to restore and enhance this extraordinary heritage. The result is the Alta Via della Grande Guerra delle Prealpi Vicentine — a cultural and natural route that connects over 200 kilometres of trails, linking memorials, museums, and fortifications, including the Italian and Austro-Hungarian strongholds.

At the heart of this initiative lie the four military memorials of Pasubio, Cimone, Asiago, and Grappa — tangible symbols of memory, freedom, and shared identity.

During his talk, Marco drew a parallel between this local project and the broader European project, reminding the audience that:

Europe is not just an institution, but a shared design — a living project.

By comparing the restoration of historical memory to European cooperation, he invited participants to see themselves as European project designers, capable of transforming daily challenges into opportunities for change. His message highlighted how European values — democracy, solidarity, sustainability, and territorial cohesion — translate every day into tangible actions across territories, turning Europe into a living project, built from the ground up and for everyone.

The recording of the TEDxVicenza 2025 talk will be available soon.

Do you have a project in mind, but no budget to realise it? Are you wondering how to navigate in the EU funding landscape?

Join the training cycle on EU-funded programmes delivered by ALDA+!

It will provide you with theoretical and hands-on knowledge on the EU programmes. Our experienced project designers and developers will guide you through this journey, sharing practical tools to get the funds that will turn your project into reality!

What are the objectives?

• Providing a clear understanding of the main EU programmes (Erasmus+, CERV, LIFE, Horizon Europe and much more) and their funding mechanisms;
• Building participants’ capacity in designing, managing, and reporting EU-funded projects;
• Sharing practical tools & examples from ALDA’s extensive project portfolio;
• Fostering networking among organisations working with EU funds.

Why should you choose ALDA?

• +20 years of experience in successful applications across multiple funding programmes;
• The possibility to benefit from our extensive network, which includes local authorities, NGOs, universities and institutions;
• Practical methodology;
• The flexible format of the training that allows you to choose one or more sessions according to your interests and needs;
• Certificate of attendance issued at the end of the course. 

Who is this course for?

Anyone interested in understanding the mechanism of the EU-funded programmes. 

In particular, project managers and developers, local and regional authorities, NGOs and associations, freelancers and consultants interested in EU project work.

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Practical information

• Dates: From 20 November to 16 December, 2025
• Duration: 8 sessions in total | 2 hours each
• Format: Online
• Language: English
• Fee: 320€ full package (all 8 sessions) | 50€ each session, should you be interested in only one (or more) topic

Date	Time	Topic
20 November	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Erasmus
25 November	10:00 – 12:00 CET	CERV
27 November	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Creative Europe
2 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	LIFE
4 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Interreg
9 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	AMIF
11 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	Horizon
16 December	10:00 – 12:00 CET	NDICI

Please click here for the detailed agenda.

Register now!

Registrations are open until 15 November!

To secure your spot, write an email to:  training@aldaplus.it , we will give you all the necessary information to enrol in the course.

To secure your spot, a 50€ deposit is asked at the moment of enrolment. Please note that the number of places available is limited.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how to turn your ideas into action through the EU-funded programmes!