The Final Conference of the CEI-led project SUSTANCE – Sustainable public transport solutions and innovative governance schemes for improving connectivity in Central Europe, funded under the Interreg Central Europe Programme 2021–2027, took place in Trieste on 24 March 2026.
The event marked the conclusion of the project and represented an important institutional opportunity to discuss the results achieved and future perspectives in the fields of sustainable mobility, innovative governance, and the strengthening of cross-border connectivity.
The opening session featured institutional remarks by Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, who highlighted the value of sustainable mobility and connectivity for European integration, stressing that these aspects concerned not only infrastructure but also the capacity to build connections between territories, people, and competences. This was followed by the intervention of Enzo Volponi, Director of the Public Transport, Mobility and Logistics Service of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, who emphasised the Region’s role in promoting initiatives for mobility and cross-border connectivity, as well as the importance of shared planning and stronger links between territories and transport systems.
The value of transnational cooperation and stakeholder engagement has been reaffirmed as essential to ensuring sustainability and the long-term impact of the project’s outcomes. The Conference confirmed the commitment to continue the dialogue and capitalise on the knowledge and expertise developed, contributing to more sustainable, integrated, and interoperable transport systems at European level.
Winfried Ritt, representative of the Interreg Central Europe Joint Secretariat, underlined the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of project results and their transferability to other contexts. In line with this perspective, Pierluigi Coppola, Coordinator of the Transport Pillar of the EUSAIR Strategy, highlighted the contribution of macro-regional strategies in enhancing connectivity and promoting greater integration among transport networks and services.
Joining online, Marlies Peeters, representative of the European Commission – DG REGIO, provided insights into the role of the EU Border Focal Point, outlining the challenges of connectivity in border regions and the contribution of EU instruments in improving accessibility and cohesion among regions.
During the Conference, the main project results were presented, including the Transnational Action Plans and the development of ICT solutions supporting flexible and intermodal transport services, together with strategic guidelines aimed at strengthening cooperation and governance in public transport.
For more info: fortuna@cei.int