CIVITAS Forum 2026

15 – 17 Sept 2026 | Thessaloniki, Greece

Tuesday, 15 September 2026 | 13:00 - 14:45

Opening Plenary - Competitive urban mobility: scaling innovation, industry, and investment pipelines

Location:Thessaloniki Concert Hall, M2 Building, Emilios Riadis (Plenary Room)Track:Plenary Session
  • Competitiveness

Europe is home to world-leading research, innovative mobility companies and ambitious cities that are driving the transition towards more sustainable, efficient, and integrated urban mobility. As global competition intensifies, the challenge is to accelerate the deployment and scaling of innovative solutions, ensuring they move beyond successful demonstrations and create lasting impact for cities, citizens and industry.

This opening plenary will bring together the European Commission, city network, investors and innovation leaders to explore how stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors can accelerate the deployment of urban mobility innovation. The discussion will examine the practical conditions needed to build competitive innovation and increase investments including enabling policy frameworks, innovation procurement, financing, coordinated planning and partnerships.

9 speakers

  • Managing Director

    European Startup Prize for Mobility

  • Mayor City of Thessaloniki

    City of Thessaloniki

  • Secretary General

    Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

  • Director

    Hellenic Institute of Transport (HIT), CERTH

  • Head of Unit

    CINEA

  • Secretary General

    POLIS

  • CEO EIT Urban Mobility

    EIT Urban Mobility

  • Head of Urban Mobility

    European Investment Bank

  • Programme Manager for Mobility and Transport

    European Innovation Council (EIC)