CIVINET Greece-Cyprus and Walk21 are delighted to announce the start of a cooperation to support more active travel across Greece and Cyprus. Specifically, Walk21 will provide expert support to the CIVINET’s members in their transition towards sustainable, active, and healthy mobility. The collaboration will kick off at the CIVINET Mobility Academy in Thessaloniki on 10th February 2023.

CIVINET Greece-Cyprus and Walk21 share a common commitment to creating environments that offer a safe, healthy and attractive experience for people’s everyday mobility. This is already being recognised by numerous cities across Greece in their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs).

The demand from citizens for low carbon transport systems, improvements to public health, and equitable access to education, health care, work and green space are fuelling the urgency and pace of the transition. CIVINET Greece-Cyprus has actively supported the transition process in Greek and Cypriot communities for many years and has a diverse network of members that includes large metropolitan areas as well as small island communities.

As a first step for this collaboration, nine Greek cities will participate in the recently launched CIVINET Mobility Academy 2023 in Thessaloniki on 10 February where Jim Walker, the Founder of Walk21 will provide a key-note address (Agios Dimitrios, Nea Smyrni, Vari Voula Vouliagmeni, Veria, Kavala, Kozani, Heraklion, Hersonisos, and Karpenisi).

After the keynote the cities will be encouraged to discuss common and individual challenges and will learn from experiences in Thessaloniki. Future Academy meetings are likely to also include study visits to Zagreb, Ljubljana and Athens to learn from their mobility transition experiences.

Walk21, in partnership with CIVINET Greece-Cyprus, will support the transition strategies at a national and city level as well as through the Municipal Accessibility Plans and the Local Urban Plans where appropriate. The embedding of the needs of people walking into policy frameworks will be complemented by expert advice on street and neighbourhood transformations when required. Walk21 will share learnings from other communities around the world and looks forward to helping inspire safe, healthy, and active mobility in partnership across Greece.

CIVINET Greece-Cyprus

CIVINET Greece-Cyprus is the network of local public authorities of that are dedicated to promoting sustainable mobility. It is the Greek-speaking branch of the CIVITAS National Networks (CIVINETs), the national networks of the European CIVITAS Community.

Walk21

Walk21 is dedicated to ensuring everyone’s right to walk in a safe, inclusive, and healthy environment. Walk21 engages in knowledge-sharing, capacity building and advocacy at the global, national and local level. It provides evidence, tools, training and accreditation to a global network of communities, politicians, academics and practitioners.

More Information

Ralf Tinga, Programme delivery lead, Walk21 ralf.tinga@walk21.com

Kosmas Anagnostopoulos, CIVINET Greece-Cyprus Coordinator, ka@civinet.gr