Launch of new European hub to transform Malta’s mobility ecosystem

A new hub by EIT Urban Mobility is set to raise awareness of urban mobility issues in Malta, while encouraging positive changes that aim to improve the island’s traffic situation.

The Malta EIT Urban Mobility Hub, launching at the Chamber of Commerce in Valletta on 22 September, aims to inspire positive change to ensure accessible and sustainable mobility for all.

It will be hosted by a consortium of three partners that represent the three communities of the Knowledge Triangle Integration (KTI). Project Aegle Foundation (PAF) will be the lead partner representing the industry community in Malta, while the Valletta Cultural Agency, through the Valletta Design Cluster, represents the community of start-ups and neighbourhood groups and MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology) represents the academic and education community. The hub will also connect with the relevant national and local authorities such as Transport Malta and local councils, sharing expertise from the EIT Urban Mobility innovation community with them.

“The main objective of this Hub is to facilitate networking between all the stakeholders and develop opportunities for local players representing industry, academia, research, innovation and cities,” continues Ms Bon. “From its physical home at Malta’s new urban living lab at the Valletta Design Cluster, the hub will deliver the networks, collaborative processes, and a focused vision needed to best engage with EIT Urban Mobility

The main objective of this Hub is to facilitate networking between all the stakeholders and develop opportunities for local players representing industry, academia, research, innovation and cities

projects into the future. It will also offer support and grants to encourage positive initiatives to improve Malta’s traffic situation and infrastructure.”

Stakeholders that are part of the EIT Urban Mobility initiative can expect multiple benefits. Apart from accessing EU funding and other funding streams, stakeholders will enjoy opportunities and potential investor connections throughout Europe via increased visibility in an international network. They will also benefit from innovation and stakeholder networking through the international EIT Urban Mobility ecosystem and education and training support from leading international universities. By the bridge formed through the initiative between the EU and Malta – and the transport industry and its users – stakeholders can also share knowledge and establish good practices between countries already running successful initiatives.

The launch event of the Malta EIT Urban Mobility Hub will take place at the Chamber of Commerce in Valletta and will include presentations by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Ian Borg; by EIT Urban Mobility Innovation Hub South director, Daniel Serra; by EIT Urban Mobility RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) director, Bence Huba; by Prof. Joachim James Calleja, principal and CEO of Malta College of Art, Science and Technology (MCAST) and by Corinne Muscat Terribile from the Malta Council for Science and Technology.

The event will also mark the hub’s first official activity: a stakeholder workshop. This interactive session will discuss limitations and requirements when building a resilient, long-term management plan that will achieve sustainable urban mobility in Malta.

“By using our cities as living labs, our industry and university partners will demonstrate how new technologies can work to solve real problems in real cities by transporting people, freight and waste in smarter ways,” Bon concludes. “By fostering innovation and transformation, we can improve people’s quality of life, decarbonise mobility and make Europe’s economy more competitive.”

The EIT Urban Mobility Local Hub Malta launch event will be held on 22 September from 2.30 until 6pm at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, The Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions on events, attendees are limited to one representative per organisation.