Photo by © Tourism of Alentejo
The SMARTA-NET Project hosted 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 engaged 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 were also organised on the 14th.
An additional focus was on sharing 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., was also organised. The event aimed to empower participants to advocate for rural mobility issues and drive positive change in their communities.
The event primarily targeted ERMN members, which included rural municipalities and “multipliers” organisations, such as regions, counties, Leader Action Groups, etc. ERMN members received personalised invitations. Those eager to join were encouraged to fill in a form expressing their interest.
When: was 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
Venue: Évora Hotel, Avenida Túlio Espanca Apart. 93, 7002-502 Évora
08:30 – 09:00
Meet and greet, Check-in
09:00 – 09:15
Welcome by the host
09:15 – 10:30
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
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:
20:00
ERMN Dinner
Location : Sabores de Monsaraz Largo de São Bartolomeu, 5 Reguengos de Monsaraz 7200-175
Venue: Évora Hotel, Avenida Túlio Espanca Apart. 93, 7002-502 Évora
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
12:40 – 13:00
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch at venue
14:00+
Participants depart for home/onward travel