Karditsa, Greece, Wins European Sustainable Mobility Award

Photo Source: Municipality of Karditsa

The city of Karditsa in Thessaly, central Greece, is among the winners of the European Commission’s EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2019 event.

The EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK campaign runs September 16-22 each year, providing towns and cities with an opportunity to test out sustainable transport alternatives.

The Greek city was awarded in the “Smaller Municipalities” category, as it impressed the jury with its use of promotional materials and partnerships to support sustainable mobility.

During EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2019, Karditsa partnered with dozens of organizations including schools, music academies, government departments, police, fire brigade, civil society organizations and businesses, all of which were invited to participate in a festive week of mobility celebrations.

Other initiatives included financial benefits for companies introducing sustainable mobility measures, and days off work for employees who commuted by bicycle or on foot, to show that safe walking and cycling are appealing for reasons beyond health and wellbeing.

Karditsa Mayor Vasilis Tsiakos said the award would offer more opportunities to the city to improve the quality of life for its citizens. He also dedicated the award to all the citizens of Karditsa that use a bicycle and actively contribute to sustainable mobility.

Other finalists in the “Smaller Municipalities” category were Alfândega da Fé, Portugal, and Paide, Estonia.

Kruševac in Serbia was revealed as the winner of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2019, for its wide range of activities, underpinned by strong citizen participation and political support from the local government. Kruševac competed with Rethymno, Greece, and Wrocław, Poland.

The Commission’s sustainable mobility awards also honored Brussels, Belgium, with the 8th SUMP Award, and Pontevedra, Spain, with the 1st EU Urban Road Safety Award.

Photo Source: @EU Transport

In 2019, over 3,100 towns and cities registered to participate in the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK campaign, marking it as the most successful year to date.

The awards recognised remarkable activities carried out in 2019 under the theme “Safe walking and cycling”.