GreenMove Forges a Path for Sustainable Rural Tourism at Landmark Meeting in Podstrana, Croatia
Podstrana, Croatia – 20th of October, 2025 — The picturesque coastal municipality of Podstrana successfully hosted the third transnational meeting of the GreenMove project from November 15th to 18th. Under the theme “Tourism and Mobility in Rural Regions: Eco-friendly Transportation Options,” the event convened all 17 project partners from across Europe to address one of rural tourism's most pressing challenges: building accessible, inclusive, and sustainable mobility systems.
The three-day workshop served as a dynamic incubator for strategies and solutions, culminating in a powerful, unified call to action for the European Commission and establishing a pioneering resource-sharing initiative.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Rural Mobility
The intensive workshop sessions yielded a comprehensive set of actionable objectives designed to transform rural and coastal mobility. Key outcomes include:
- Encouraging Local Businesses: Partners developed concrete suggestions for local transport operators to adopt electric vehicles, bicycle rentals, and enhanced public transit to serve diverse demographic groups.
- Boosting Public Awareness: A commitment to create and implement educational campaigns that highlight the environmental and social benefits of sustainable transport for both residents and tourists.
- Fostering Citizen Participation: A core focus on engaging citizens in democratic dialogue around critical issues like zero-emission transport and the circular economy at local, regional, and national levels.
- Building Inclusive Infrastructure: A pledge to advocate for transportation infrastructure that is accessible and safe for the elderly, people with disabilities, and families, ensuring no one is left behind.
- Engaging Communities: Plans to organize local workshops that involve communities directly in the planning and implementation of eco-friendly transport solutions.
- Promoting Green Tourism: A seminar with local tour operators laid the groundwork for creating eco-friendly tour packages that prioritize sustainable transportation and social inclusion.
- Ensuring Continuous Improvement: A framework for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of these initiatives to measure their impact on the environment, social cohesion, and local economies.
A Unified European Call to Action and a Landmark Collaboration
In a significant move, the 17 GreenMove partners issued an official call to the European Commission to establish an annual celebration of European identity, linking shared EU goals with local activities.
The consortium proposed May 9, 2026—Europe Day—as the inaugural "European Day of Sustainable Mobility," a day dedicated to concrete, local actions that advance a greener, more connected Europe.
Furthermore, in a powerful demonstration of European cooperation, the partners agreed to a groundbreaking knowledge-sharing initiative. Led by the RTIS Network, partners will share all digital tools (e-tools) developed through previous EU-funded projects via the GreenMove platform. This open-access repository will allow municipalities to adopt and implement proven sustainability solutions without additional development costs, maximizing the impact of EU investment and accelerating the green transition.
"The Municipality of Podstrana was proud to host a meeting that moved beyond discussion to deliver tangible outcomes," said a representative of the host municipality. "The decision to share valuable e-tools embodies the true spirit of European cooperation, ensuring that smaller communities can benefit from innovations without prohibitive expenses."
Beyond the conference room, participants enjoyed a guided tour of the ancient city of Split, whose roots trace back to the Greek "Aspalathos," and a scenic boat trip along the stunning Adriatic riviera, experiencing firsthand the natural and cultural heritage that sustainable tourism aims to preserve.
The Journey Continues in Italy
The GreenMove consortium will continue its work at the fourth meeting, to be hosted by the Municipality of Fano, Italy, from November 19th to 22nd. The next theme, “Raising awareness of fundamental rights and EU values through sustainable transportation infrastructure,” will build directly upon the foundations laid in Podstrana.
About GreenMove:
Funded by the European Commission under the CERV-2024-Network of Towns initiative, GreenMove is a groundbreaking project dedicated to protecting, promoting, and raising awareness of rural and island areas. The project fosters democratic dialogue, transparency, and good governance to contribute to the protection of European values, uphold the rule of law, and support sustainable rural and island development across Europe.
For more information, please visit: https://greenmove.site/