Community Mobility Cooperatives Project

Introduction

The Community Mobility Cooperatives project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). It focuses on advancing shared e-mobility solutions in Slovenia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The project is led by the University of Ljubljana (UL) in Slovenia, with key partners including Korimako (Slovenia), Energy Cities Romania (OER) (Romania), and SmartUp – Social Innovation Lab Skopje (North Macedonia). In Serbia, the initiative is driven by the Platform for Energy Transition, which is working to overcome local challenges and support the development of community-led mobility solutions.

Project goals and objectives

The project aims to explore how communities in Southeast Europe (SE) can adopt cooperative models for mobility and scale them effectively. However, e-mobility in the region is still in its early stages, with no existing cooperatives or community-led mobility initiatives. The concept of shared mobility is not widely recognized, and there is limited understanding of its potential benefits. This lack of awareness, coupled with underdeveloped infrastructure and policy frameworks, has slowed down progress.

Recognizing these challenges, PET is leading this project in Serbia to introduce and promote the cooperative model for mobility, ensuring that communities can take an active role in shaping a more efficient and accessible transport system. The initiative aligns with broader energy transition efforts, as shared electric mobility solutions contribute to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, optimizing energy use, and integrating renewable energy into transportation.

During the project, coalitions of community actors in at least two SE European countries will establish initial Community Mobility Cooperatives based on robust business models. The project will document insights and best practices to facilitate replication and expansion across the region.

Target audience and participating countries

The project focuses on engaging citizens, NGOs, and local authorities in Slovenia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. However, efforts will also be extended across SE Europe. Engagement strategies include awareness campaigns, training sessions, co-creation workshops, coalition-building initiatives, and advisory support.

Challenges and solutions in Serbia

PET is responsible for implementing the project in Serbia, where several barriers hinder the development of electro mobility:

·        Inadequate Infrastructure: Serbia has only around 200 publicly available chargers for 2,200 electric vehicles as of early 2024.

·        Legal and Regulatory Uncertainty: Unclear regulations complicate the deployment of EV infrastructure.

·        Supply Constraints: Limitations in electricity supply at potential charging sites.

·        Non-Compliant Equipment: Lack of standardized EV charging equipment reduces reliability.

·        Financing Models: The absence of sustainable financing mechanisms for public chargers impedes expansion.

Key issues addressed

The project aligns with EUKI’s climate mitigation priorities, emphasizing Climate-Neutral Mobility, a sustainable economy, and a just transition. The dominance of fossil-fueled private vehicles in local mobility systems creates environmental and accessibility issues. The introduction of shared electric vehicle (EV) fleets—bikes, scooters, and cars—will enhance mobility while reducing emissions. Ensuring reliable, affordable, and socially responsible EV charging infrastructure is a fundamental goal of this initiative.

Project’s goals:

1. Encourage Citizen Participation – This project aims to empower citizens to actively engage in energy transition initiatives, particularly in community-led e-mobility projects.

2. Support the Development of Community Mobility Co-operatives – The project will work on setting up community-led EV infrastructure, focusing on shared charging stations and cooperative mobility solutions.

3. Address Key Challenges in E-Mobility – The organizations will work to overcome infrastructure limitations, unclear regulations, and low adoption of electric vehicles in their countries.

4. Promote Awareness and Capacity Building – The organizations will run training programs, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder engagement to promote e-mobility and community-driven initiatives.

5. Facilitate Business Model Development – The organizations will assist local groups in creating viable business models for Community Mobility Cooperatives, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

The transformation of mobility systems is critical for achieving climate neutrality, improving public health, and fostering equitable access to transportation. By leveraging community-led initiatives and cooperative models, the Community Mobility Cooperatives project aims to catalyze the widespread adoption of sustainable e-mobility solutions in Southeast Europe and beyond. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment, this initiative will help build a more efficient and resilient future for everyone.

Note: The opinions put forward in this article are the sole responsibility of the PET author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).