On November 24th 2021, the online event entitled “Develop reliable passengers transport networks and
intermodal connections in the EUSAIR area” was held under the moderation of prof. Pierluigi Coppola, coordinator of the EUSAIR Pillar 2. The event was organised jointly by three Interreg projects: ICARUS, MIMOSA and SMACKER with the aim of presenting the achievements that contribute to the delivery of the Adriatic-Ionian strategy and its objectives. The event consisted of three sections: a general projects presentation, a key-note speech held by Mr. Lodovico Gherardi, from the Managing Authority of the ADRION project and a round table discussion on the best practices related to sustainable mobility. 
The involved projects illustrated mostly their ICT and intermodal solutions to improve passenger services in the area, cover the lack of connections in the rural and peripheral areas and incentive the change of behavior, shifting the passengers from private cars to more sustainable transport means. The stakeholder involvement plays a crucial role in this process, as the change starts from the people, meaning local, regional and national authorities, as well as the citizens need to be involved from the start. Projects used different methods to present their results to the public, raise their awareness and create new attitude towards eco-friendly transport solutions. 
Pilot activities presented by the projects concerned improved passenger services, combination of several transport modes bus&bike, train&bike, innovative ICT solutions supporting the services and other flexible eco-friendly solutions, to enable stronger links with cross-border, rural and peripheral areas.
Mr. Lodovico Gherardi gave an overlook of new the IPA Adrion Programme 2021-2027, where future mobility and transport project proposals can be sent for funding. In addition, specific and targeted calls, as well as calls for strategic projects will be launched aiming at a better connected Europe, through more improved, sustainable, climate resilient, smart and intermodal national, regional and local mobility.
Finally, during the round table discussion participants discussed the challenges faced in the respective regions in implementing intermodal and sustainable solutions, which contribute to the priorities listed in the EUSAIR Pilar 2 action plan. The speakers explained how they managed to connect their peripheral or rural areas thanks to the cooperation established in the framework of several Interreg projects, through which they gained knowledge and resources necessary for testing new solutions. Some of these managed to prove their effective need and feasibility, gaining permanent funds and maintaining the service even after the project end.
Last but not least, projects presented their forthcoming event starting from ICARUS Final Conference planned for December 7th 2021, MIMOSA mid term event planned for December 10th, 2021 (online) and SMACKER Final conference set for 23-25 May 2022.
Watch the full video here.