NEWSLETTER

The finalists for the European Mobility Week Awards 2021 were announced on 14 February by the European Commission. Amadora, Kassel, and Lüleburgaz are finalists for the prize for larger municipalities (with more than 100,000 residents), while Alimos, Miajadas, and Valongo are finalists for smaller municipalities (with fewer than 100,000 residents). Both awards are given in honour of outstanding efforts to make cities greener and safer. Madrid, Mitrovica South, and Tampere are the finalists for the Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning Award. The EU Urban Road Safety Award, which celebrates outstanding road safety measures, is being contested for by Florence, Rethymno, and Warsaw. The European Mobility Week campaign runs from 16-22 September each year. Last year's campaign witnessed a record-breaking rise in participation, with over 3,100 towns and cities from 53 countries taking part.

377 expressions of interest, including at least one from every Member State, have been received from cities who want to join the new Horizon Europe Mission to have 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. The Mission Team, headed by Matthew Baldwin from DG MOVE, hopes to announce the 100 cities in April. The Mission covers zero-emission transport and mobility, but also buildings, energy and waste. The key task will be to help the cities put together ‘Climate City Contracts’ in which they set out their commitment to be climate-neutral, their proposed plans and related investment plans. The contracts will not be legally binding, but they will serve as a clear and visible political commitment to the EU, national and regional governments, and most importantly their own citizens. The success of the Mission so far shows the strong interest among cities in being at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change.