The deployEMDS Network of Follower Cities and Regions is a group designed to engage with external local and regional public entities interested in shaping the future of the common European mobility data space by supporting the development of the deployEMDS project. As we navigate the complexities of data-driven mobility, our network will offer a space for meaningful dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders, fostering the exchange of knowledge and building capacity for innovative data-driven solutions.

About our project

The deployEMDS project supports the European Commission’s (EC) initiative on a common European mobility data space (EMDS) that aims to facilitate data access, pooling and sharing for more efficient, safe, sustainable and resilient transport. It builds on initiatives and applications related to transport data and will be supported by initiatives to boost interoperability, security, and the availability and provision of data and services in the mobility domain. The EC outlined its proposed way forward in its Communication on the creation of a common European mobility data space. 

Aligned with the European data strategy and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, deployEMDS will support policymaking by enabling data sharing and reuse for efficient multimodal mobility and traffic management, as well as for measuring progress of sustainable urban mobility across Europe.  

Following a use case approach, deployEMDS supports the EMDS initiative through 9 local implementations in: Barcelona, Budapest, Flanders, Île -de-France, Lisbon, Milan, Sofia, Stockholm and Tampere. These locations will be the setting for 16 use cases which will focus on the following broad themes: 

• Data for mobility planning
• Public transport operation
• Multimodality
• Speciality travel information

 

Objectives of the deployEMDS Network of Follower Cities and Regions

The Network of Follower Cities aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Support the development of the European mobility data space by integrating the needs of cities into the project activities and validating deployEMDS solutions to ensure their wider relevance.
• Establish a space for local and regional public authorities to engage in peer-learning with deployEMDS cities, facilitating knowledge exchange on EMDS developments.
• Foster collaboration with industry, academia, and other stakeholders represented in the Innovation and Scaling Group (ISG) to create future use cases addressing real-life mobility challenges.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Network of Follower Cities and Regions welcomes European local and regional public entities dedicated to advancing transportation and mobility. Eligible participants include:

• Local governments
• Regional governments
• Public transport authorities
• Public transport operators

Our network seeks to engage authorities of various sizes, experience levels, and stages of maturity, ensuring representation from different member states. Whether you’re a seasoned transportation organisation or just beginning your journey in mobility management, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of European mobility.

What’s in it for Network members?

Joining the Network of Follower Cities and Regions offers numerous benefits:

• Shaping the future European mobility data space: By participating in the project, follower cities and regions have a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of future policies and standards within the EU. This ensures that their interests and perspectives are considered in shaping the landscape of mobility data and the EMDS.
• Learning opportunities from front-runner cities: Participants gain access to peer-learning workshops, insights, and best practices from leading cities in the implementation of mobility data solutions. This exchange of knowledge enables them to adopt innovative approaches and strategies tailored to their own contexts.
• Capacity building on data spaces and data governance: Follower cities and regions benefit from targeted capacity-building activities focused on data spaces and governance, including trainings and workshops. These activities equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and utilize mobility data, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions and drive sustainable urban development.
• Collaboration with industry leaders: By collaborating with established industry players and platforms represented in the Innovation and Scaling Group (ISG), follower cities and regions have the opportunity to co-create future use cases addressing real-world mobility challenges. This collaboration showcases the practical value of leveraging data space building blocks for data sharing, fostering innovation, and driving positive outcomes for communities.

 

What’s expected of Network members?

Network members will be invited to several activities per year, allowing for flexibility as to which activities attend according to own member’s interests, needs and availability.  To ensure an active participation in the group, members will be asked to join at least 1 activity/year.

The aim is to develop activities that cater for different levels of expertise and maturity within the Network. The activities involving the Network of Follower Cities are expected to evolve and expand over the project’s duration, initially encompassing:

• Bilateral interviews, joint workshops, and focus groups to gather requirements and needs from public entities outside the consortium and to validate the proposed deployEMDS solutions in terms of technical frameworks and governance mechanisms.
• Training sessions covering the EMDS vision, the building blocks of mobility data space (technical, business, governance and legal) and how to overcome the challenges of deploying local mobility data spaces and use cases based on the foundations of the EMDS.
• Peer-learning workshops with deployEMDS cities centred on deployment and use case implementation.
• Co-creation workshops in collaboration with the ISG to develop future use cases addressing concrete mobility challenges.

Activities will have different formats, some will take place in a physical settings whilst others will take place in a hybrid format or exclusively online.

Participation in the Network is voluntary and without remuneration, any associated travel or subsistence costs must be covered by participants or their organisations.

 

How to apply?

Interested public entities are invited to apply to join the deployEMDS Network of Follower Cities and Regions by completing the application form before April 28th. Fill in the form here.

For those seeking more information about the project and the Network, we encourage participation in the introductory webinar scheduled for April 22nd, from 14 to 15h CET. During this webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to gain comprehensive insights into the project and address any questions they may have. Register here.

Successful applicants will be notified and onboarded in May.