The Urban Innovators Academy, a five-day transformative event organized by Cyprusinno (powered by SocialTech Lab) in partnership with Kimitisik, successfully brought together over 40 bachelor students from across Europe including Cyprus, Latvia, Ukraine, Italy, Serbia, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, and Slovenia to address the pressing urban mobility challenges faced by Cyprus and collaboratively develop innovative, real-world solutions.

Cyprus faces significant challenges in urban mobility, from car dependency and fragmented infrastructure to a lack of pedestrian-friendly design. Urban planning has historically prioritized vehicles over sustainable and inclusive alternatives, resulting in traffic congestion, underutilized public transport, and limited accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the exclusion of youth and marginalized communities in mobility planning has further exacerbated these issues.

To equip participants with the tools to develop innovative solutions, the Urban Innovators Academy offered intensive training led by organisers SocialTech Lab and Kimitisik, covering topics like urban mobility fundamentals, rapid ideation, business modeling, value proposition, stakeholder mapping and pitching, providing a strong foundation for co- creating impactful mobility solutions while receiving expert mentorship. In addition to hands-on training, the academy featured a series of expert presentations,panel discussions, and networking by SURF Lab, EIT Community RIS Hub Cyprus, NESEI, MaaSLab, MobyX and Opu Collective, offering deeper insights into urban mobility, planning, and scaleup opportunities in Cyprus.

The Urban Innovators Academy tackled real-world mobility challenges presented by key local players, including KIOS, SURF Lab, and CYENS. Participants developed solutions addressing critical issues such as designing safe and inclusive travel routes for schoolchildren, empowering citizens with data-driven mobility tools, increasing bicycle usage through digital solutions, and enhancing medical transportation via air mobility routing. Among the proposed solutions were a cycling app offering rewards from local businesses, a carpooling platform for university students, and educational programs to teach children about public transport and road safety.

The discussions during the academy underscored the importance of an integrated, human-centered approach to urban mobility. Sector experts emphasized the need for interconnected systems that balance sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.

The Urban Innovators Academy Cyprus is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. CyprusInno (powered by SocialTech Lab) is dedicated to fostering a culture of sustainability and encouraging the next generation of mobility advocates. With this commitment, Cyprus can pave the way for a more connected, vibrant, and future-forward urban environment.