The launch of the second phase of the REFORM - “Integrated REgional action plan For innovative, sustainable and lOw caRbon Mobility” project of Interreg Europe Program, was held at a special event at the premises of the Municipality of Central Macedonia on the 28th of February, 2019. The European project REFORM implements the Regional Development Funds on behalf of the Region aimed at promoting policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Ap. Tzitzikostas, and the Director of the Hellenic Institute of transport of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (HIT/CERTH) Dr. Evangelos Bekiaris, proceeded to the joint signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at:
(a) establishment of a mechanism to support all Municipalities of the Region of Central Macedonia for Sustainable Urban Mobility, in the form of a "SUMP Support Center"
(b) exchange of traffic data between the Region of Central Macedonia’s Signal Lighting Management Center and the smart mobility living lab of HIT/CERTH.
According to the Regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, "The Region of Central Macedonia exploits the valuable experience and knowledge it acquires from its participation as a partner in European programs. Our goal remains to provide the most up-to-date tools and supplies to the stakeholders. As a region in the drafted action plan, we aim to coordinate and assist our Municipalities in the development, implementation and monitoring of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. The Memorandum of Understanding is the first step in this direction. The support mechanism is an important and systematic means of networking, informing and highlighting the achievements of all the stakeholders".
As stated by the director of HIT, Dr. Evangelos Bekiaris, "the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Municipality of Central Macedonia marks the availability of HIT's know-how through the Municipality to the Region of Central Macedonia for drafting and upgrading Urban Mobility Plans to them and to the citizens of Central Macedonia, with the aim of improving their daily lives".
The SUMP Support Center, a partnership for the promotion of sustainable mobility in Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Central Macedonia and HIT/CERTH, is available at: http://www.keyp-svak-rcm.imet.gr/.
The Action Plan of the Municipality of the Central Macedonia within the framework of REFORM project was selected by Interreg Europe Platform to be presented at the annual Europe Let's Cooperate event on 10th of April in Brussels.
