Photo by © Tourism of Alentejo
The SMARTA-NET Project is hosting its second in-person event in Évora (Portugal) with the aim of bringing together rural municipalities, experts, and practitioners to explore innovative approaches, share best practices, and identify financing mechanisms to enhance rural mobility.
Over the 15th and 16th of May, participants will engage in discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions on financing rural mobility schemes, sharing experiences with funding programs, and exploring strategies for securing additional resources inspired by case studies of successful rural mobility schemes. Site visits will also be organised on the 14th.
An additional focus would be on sharing of practical strategies for mainstreaming rural mobility, improving connectivity with inter-city and regional bus networks, enhancing access to healthcare and other essential services, increasing ridership, and building capacity for mobility planning and management.
A special session to discuss the future of the European Rural Mobility Network (ERMN), focusing on its scope, governance, services, etc., will also be organised. The event aims to empower participants to advocate for rural mobility issues and drive positive change in their communities.
The event is primarily targeting the ERMN members, which include rural municipalities and “multipliers” organisations, such as regions, counties, Leader Action Groups, etc. ERMN members will receive personalised invitations. If you are eager to join, don’t hesitate to fill in this form expressing your interest.
You can express your interest in participating until the 15th of April.
All selected participants will receive a confirmation email, so please do not make any travel and accommodation arrangements until your participation is confirmed.
Travel and accommodation support will be offered to a limited number of the participants that need support to participate, mainly local authorities and organisations belonging to the ERMN.
When: to be held on the 15th and 16th of May, with site visits scheduled for the 14th of May afternoon
Where: Evora, Portugal
Venue: Évora Hotel
14:00 – 18:00
19:30
Meeting Dinner Restaurante a Bruxa d’Évora, R. Cinco de Outubro 86, 7000-854 Évora
08:30 – 09:00
Meet and greet, Check-in
09:00 – 09:15
Welcome by the host
09:00 – 09:15
Opening Plenary
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee and Networking
11:00 – 13:00
Financing rural mobility schemes – 5 tables in World Café style
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 – 15:30
Plenary Session
Presentation of good practice examples
Sites showcasing how they mobilised their implementation:
15:30 – 16:00
Coffee and Networking
16:00 – 17:30
Parallel Thematic Workshop session
17:30 – 17:45
Concluding remarks and Introduction of Day 2
18:00 – 18:30
Special session: Conversation about the future of the ERMN (optional)
Themes:
19:30
ERMN Dinner
Location : Sabores de Monsaraz Largo de São Bartolomeu, 5 Reguengos de Monsaraz 7200-175
08:30 – 09:00
Meet and greet, Check-in
09:00 – 09:15
Introduction to Day 2
09:15 – 10:30
Parallel Sessions
Mainstreaming rural mobility – building on the ERMN member experience
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee and Networking
11:00 – 12:20
Panel discussion
Developing a voice on rural mobility
Two 30-minute panels, each to discuss one of the following issues:
Half the time for each panel is for ERMN members (audience) contributions
12:20 – 12:40
Closing plenary
Building Capacity
Training, thematic networking and exchange among the ERMN members
12:40 – 13:00
Wrap-up and conclusion
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch at venue
14:00+
Participants depart for home/onward travel
