Source: europa.eu

The “Do the Right Mix” campaign is seeking to promote Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMPs) through the funding of local initiatives. The programme also funds projects in non-member states and aims to encourage flexible transport methods.

The “Do the Right Mix” initiative seeks to provide financial supports for projects from NGOs, non-profitable organization and groups of individuals who try to develop urban mobility. It is part of the sustainable urban mobility campaign which is funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme. The name “Do the Right Mix” highlights the need for flexibility when approaching the topic of mobility. The campaign rests on four key themes: urban mobility, environmental benefits of lowering transport emissions, participating in change, and decreasing  transport cost. Cycling fits into each of these categories and provides the users with all the benefits that come with physical exercise.

The campaign just announced the names of 18 new programmes which will receive funding. This financial backing should help the organizations to achieve their goals and further their impact on the community.  Since 2012, projects in over 31 countries, ranging from Cyprus to Iceland have already benefited from this programme. Funding will depend on each organization and can reach up to 7000 Euros per organization. Another wave of funding is expected in March 2014.

The SUMPs’ goals range from the innovative use of bikes to mobility events. A notable example is the organization “ADFC Mecklenburg” which promotes the use of cargo bikes for sustainable urban mobility. Some short term projects like the “Kerry Bicycle Festival” in Ireland are event based. Non-cycling projects include mobility awareness programmes and the promotion of other means of transportation than cars. The European Commission continues to give a voice to such a wide array of organizations in order to emphasize the depth of possibilities available to all with carpooling, cycling, public transport and even walking.

ECF is pleased to see this program and its support of alternative transport methods. This programme can provide the necessary funding to widen certain organizations’ reach. We are glad to see active support for cycling projects appear while demonstrating that cycling is an ideal solution to problems of congestion and carbon emissions.  Some of the SUMPs even share some of the themes from ECF sponsored projects such as CycleLogistics. We expect this programme to be wildly successful for cycling advocacy and the diversification of transport methods.

You can see more information on the “Do The Right Mix” website.
You can view the official European Commission press release here.

About the Author

Matthieu Chateau is a communications assistant at ECF, he is currently studying in Dublin.