Apply Now to Become a Challenge City! - CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Second Cycle
Image by EUROCITIES
Applications for the second cycle (2025-2027) of the CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Programme are now open, offering six new Challenge Cities the opportunity to collaborate with leading European cities to tackle urban mobility challenges.
A Proven Model for Transformative Change
The programme brings together cities from across Europe to share knowledge, exchange best practices and develop actionable Deployment Plans. In the first cycle (2023-2025), Challenge Cities worked closely with Champion Cities to co-develop strategies in sustainable urban logistics, placemaking and participatory processes, and universal design and accessibility.
Through study visits, twinning sessions, and co-creation workshops, cities engaged in hands-on learning and direct exchanges with mobility experts and peers. A participant from Kadıköy highlighted the value of these interactions:
"The CIVITAS Replication and Deployment programme is a great way to share hands-on experiences. We were not afraid to ask difficult questions and get honest answers for ways to move forward. We learned from all experiences, good and bad.”
Highlights from the First Cycle: Learning in Action
Kadıköy: Improving Accessibility in Public Spaces
Kadıköy (Turkey) is working to enhance universal accessibility in its public spaces, ensuring streets, parks, and transport infrastructure are inclusive for all. The study visit focused on integrating universal design principles into urban planning, with a special emphasis on mobility for people with disabilities, elderly citizens, and families with young children.
A representative from Łódź, one of the visiting cities, reflected on the collaborative process:
“It's a great feeling when you have the opportunity to propose solutions and support someone in making their neighbourhood a better place for living."
Read more here.
Riga: Placemaking for Active and Inclusive Mobility
Riga (Latvia) is rethinking public spaces and participatory processes to foster active mobility and more liveable urban environments. During the study visit, participants shared best practices on revitalizing urban areas, engaging local communities, and balancing transport needs. Discussions centered on how to create greener streets while managing both public and private transport demands.
A participant from Utrecht captured the essence of these exchanges:
“It’s great to be able to offer our ideas, experience, and inspiration to a host city, and we definitely got the same in return. We go home inspired and satisfied with the input and output.”
Read more here.
Funchal: Rethinking Sustainable Urban Logistics
Funchal’s steep terrain and busy city center pose significant urban logistics challenges, including traffic congestion, misuse of loading bays, and safety risks. During the study visit, experts and city representatives explored potential solutions, such as stakeholder engagement, an ambassador programme, and scenario planning for pedestrianisation and logistics access.
Reflecting on the power of shared learning, a participant from Baerum emphasized:
“The programme showed how growing cities in different countries are facing the same problems, and how many mistakes we avoid when we can learn from each other.”
This visit demonstrated how collaborative approaches can help cities tackle last-mile delivery challenges in complex urban environments.
Read more here.
Bruges: A Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan in the Making
Bruges, a city balancing historic charm with high visitor numbers, faces growing urban logistics challenges—from ensuring daily hotel and restaurant deliveries to managing market supply chains. The study visit focused on key strategies, including stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision-making, and sector-specific logistics solutions.
A key topic was logistics hubs, with discussions on their role in reducing inefficiencies, externalizing storage, and optimizing last-mile deliveries.
As a Bruges host city representative put it:
“It is even better than I thought it was going to be. The amount of useful information you get is much higher than anticipated.”
Read more here.
Upcoming Study Visits
In April 2025, two more study visits will take place in Komotini (Greece) and Istanbul (Turkey), continuing the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
Join the Second Cycle: Apply as a Challenge City
Now, six new Challenge Cities will be selected for the second cycle (2025-2027) of the programme. We are particularly looking for cities facing challenges related to:
- Behavioural Change and Mobility Management
- Road Safety and Security
- Multimodal Hubs
As a Challenge City, you will:
- Define a key urban mobility challenge to address
- Engage in twinning and co-creation activities with experienced cities
- Host and attend study visits to exchange best practices
- Develop a Deployment Plan to implement real change
Read how to apply here.
Deadline: 25 April 2025
This is your chance to collaborate with leading European cities and take your urban mobility strategy to the next level. Apply now and be part of the future of sustainable mobility!
Author: Arianna Americo
