Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-10-08

Description

Description (EN):

Digital technology is transforming urban development, with potential to address today's social and environmental challenges and territorial disparities. Applications range from e-health, to smart-mobility and many in-between. Autonomous Vehicles (AV) are one innovation that will dramatically change our way of life. For optimal deployment, local authorities must anticipate and reflect on how transformative innovations can direct safe, sustainable, citizen friendly futures for cities. Stakeholders and citizens must have a say in deployment. In short, we need radically new governance models. Small/medium cities may be overlooked for innovations, but they face these challenge too. GINEVRA's aim is to strengthen small/medium cities’ capacities in responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovations. We involve 6 pilot sites (small/medium cities): Cesena (IT), Ptuj (SI), Varaždin (HR), Słupsk (PL), Bad Schönborn (DE), Nyíregyháza (HU). Expert thematic partners join from DE, HU, IT and AT. Transnational cooperation is central to the complex, future-proofing exercise required to deploy transformative innovation responsibly and with a multi-level approach. It requires specialised knowledge, only available across borders and from different actors. To achieve our goal, we start with transnational exchange on governance, responsible innovation and AV, leading to governance guidelines (with AV case study) as a 1st output (WP1). Citizen/stakeholder engagement tools are co-developed (WP2). A transnational pilot (WP3) tests guidelines and tools and runs an AV demo. Results are 2 innovative solutions and a joint, long-term strategy. In GINEVRA, we test a challenging case of responsible, multi-level governance to deploy a transformative innovation: AV. By project end, we consolidate uptake of solutions in policies. We expect small/medium cities to better govern transformative innovations: to reap benefits, avoid pitfalls and ensure wide, cross-sector engagement.

Actual Achievements (EN):

In year 1 of the project, all partners were actively involved at both the project and regional levels, in line with the project work plan. GINEVRA began with a Virtual Kick-Off meeting organised by the Lead Partner CISE on March 6th, 2023, to give partners an overview of the project. During the first semester, partners collaborated to establish a framework for responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation. This involved holding three Master Classes in Bialystok, Poland, on June 13th and 14th, 2023. These classes covered Responsible Innovation, Multi-level/Sector Governance of Transformative Innovation, and Autonomous Vehicles (AV) readiness and governance. Additionally, an interactive session focused on gathering ideas for practical tools to support cities deploying transformative innovation. As a result of these efforts, shared guidelines on governance of transformative innovation and local work plans for the transnational pilot related to the AV demonstration were defined. At the regional level, partners organised local events to disseminate the project and engage stakeholders. During the 2nd project meeting in Ptuj, Slovenia, on November 7th - 8th, 2023, partners shared the results and feedback from these local events, as well as a baseline study focusing on their local characteristics and needs. They also exchanged ideas on co-creating tools for wide stakeholder engagement and citizen participation. During the second semester, all partners contributed to finalising a Baseline Study on responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation, particularly focusing on an AV case study, based on the Master Classes and city partners' experiences. Finally, preparatory activities for the deployment of Autonomous Vehicles in the pilot cities were conducted by CISE and TUW in semester 2. These activities included engaging possible suppliers/experts to plan AV demonstrators and managing project-level procurement for the transnational demonstration to deploy AV. GINEVRA’s Year 2 was hectic. It marked the end of all the initial learning and methodological activities to increase partner and stakeholder knowledge on all aspects of responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation (A1.2), which enabled partners developing the local plans for the transnational pilot taking place in Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Slovenia (A1.3). As a result, the second project output, O1.2 - Jointly Developed Guidelines for responsible, multilevel governance of transformative innovation in small / medium cities (including AV case study), was achieved, proposing a set of guidelines on how small/medium cities can put in place a multi-level governance framework for deployment of transformative innovation. These outcomes were shared in the occasion of a public webinar held on 19/09/2024, in the framework of the EU Mobility Week. Activities to co-design and test methodologies and tools for stakeholder and citizen engagement (A2.1, A2.2) ran in parallel. Partners and stakeholders provided expert input on the possible tools, which were assessed at transnational level, including through on field testing at the partner meeting in Vienna (June 2024). This extensive work resulted in a selection of 40 possible tools and on 2 training sessions (one online, one in person) on their application in real practice. The tools will be tested locally during the transnational pilot (WP3) and validated for inclusion in the GINEVRA Toolkit (O2.1) by the end of the project. Last but not least, the first version of the AV readiness calculator was developed (A2.3), as a user friendly tool helping small and medium size cities in Central Europe self-assess their readiness to adopt AV. This will be also applied throughout the transnational pilot sites and feedback used to consolidate the final version for inclusion in the Toolkit. All these activities paved the way to launch (from period 4) stage 1 transnational pilot on citizen and stakeholder engagement (A3.1) in Cesena (IT), Ptuj (SI), Varaždin (HR), Słupsk (PL), Bad Schönborn (DE), Nyíregyháza (HU), which was ongoing in all sites at the end of Year 2. Activities to launch the transnational demonstration of AV in Cesena (IT), Varaždin (HR) and Bad Schönborn (DE) were also at the core of project work. The LP – CISE, in close cooperation with WP3 leader PP – TU Wien and demo sites developed the transnational tender to select demo vehicle providers (A1.3). This required significant efforts to jointly understand and duly consider the various regulatory, safety, infrastructure and technical aspects connected to the demonstration of breakthrough, transformative innovation in small and medium size Central European cities. The tender will be launched at the beginning of Year 3, and the transnational demo (A3.2) kicked-off subsequently. GINEVRA partners are thrilled to start the third year of the project, moving forward with the transnational pilots, achieving final project outputs (O2.1, O3.1, O3.2) and preparing for mainstreaming results in the long-term across their territories and beyond (A3.4, O3.3).

Project outputs: Organisations cooperating across borders in GINEVRA(EN)
Jointly Developed Guidelines for responsible, multi-level governance of tranformative innovation in small / medium cities (including AV case study)(EN)
Tool kit for Responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation(EN)
Transnational pilot action on Responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation (AV Case Study)(EN)
Technology Demonstrators as tool for multi-level governance of transform innovations(EN)
Transnational plan for Responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation(EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/ginevra/

Thematic information

Governance, partnership

Priority: (VI-B_CE_4) Improving governance for cooperation in central Europe

Priority specific objective: ISO6.6. Other actions to support better cooperation governance (all strands)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 171 Enhancing cooperation with partners both within and outside the Member State

Partners (11)

Lead Partner: CISE – Centro per l’innovazione e lo sviluppo economico

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 986597671

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT03553340401

Address: Corso della Repubblica, 47121 Forlì, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.ciseonweb.it

Total budget: EUR 541 662.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 433 329.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 108 332.40

Contractors:

Name: EDUACTIVE Società Cooperativa
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT03657661207
Name: FORMICABLU S.R.L.
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT02544861202
Name: Paolo Di Gianni
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03437530409,
Name: Resolvo srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT05925020488

Miasto Słupsk

Name: Miasto Słupsk

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 935054684

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL8391005507

Address: Pl. Zwycięstwa, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.Słupsk.pl

Total budget: EUR 45 552.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 36 441.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 9 110.40

Gemeindeverwaltung Bad Schönborn

Name: Gemeindeverwaltung Bad Schönborn

Department: Hauptamt/Central Administration

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE143081091

Address: Friedrichstrasse, 76669 Bad Schönborn, Germany

Department address: Friedrichstrasse, 76669 Bad Schönborn, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.bad-schoenborn.de

Total budget: EUR 405 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 324 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 81 100.00

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Name: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Department: Institute of Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS)

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 990797674

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE266749428

Address: Kaiserstr., 76133 Karlsruhe , Germany

Department address: Karlstrasse, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.kit.edu

Total budget: EUR 160 650.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 128 520.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 130.00

ALDA+ SRL Benefit Corporation SB

Name: ALDA+ SRL Benefit Corporation SB

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 904053678

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT04075610248

Address: Viale Milano , 36100 Vicenza, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.alda-europe.eu

Total budget: EUR 126 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 100 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 200.00

Grad Varaždin

Name: Grad Varaždin

Department: ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 905471236

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR13269011531

Address: Trg kralja Tomislava, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia

Department address: Trg slobode, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.varazdin.hr

Total budget: EUR 160 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 128 640.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 160.00

Contractors:

Name: Sveučilište Sjever
VAT registration or tax identification number: 59624928052

Technische Universität Wien

Name: Technische Universität Wien

Department: Research Unit Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999979888

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU37675002

Address: Karlsplatz, A-1040 Wien, Austria

Department address: Karlsplatz, A-1040 Wien, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.tuwien.ac.at

Total budget: EUR 277 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 221 760.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 55 440.00

Hálózat a Regionális Fejlesztésért Alapítvány

Name: Hálózat a Regionális Fejlesztésért Alapítvány

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU19331492

Address: Kis-Hunyad, 3525 Miskolc, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.harfaalapitvany.hu

Total budget: EUR 201 560.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 161 248.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 312.00

Contractors:

Name: MEGAKOM Tanácsadó Iroda
VAT registration or tax identification number: 11494887-2-15

Első Magyar Felelősségteljes Innováció Egyesület

Name: Első Magyar Felelősségteljes Innováció Egyesület

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU18628010

Address: Pihenő utca, 6728 Szeged, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://emfie.eu/

Total budget: EUR 231 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 185 440.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 46 360.00

Contractors:

Name: Innogrant Consulting Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 13882859-2-06

Znanstveno raziskovalno središče Bistra Ptuj

Name: Znanstveno raziskovalno središče Bistra Ptuj

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 940021472

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI55581218

Address: Slovenski trg, 2250 Ptuj, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.bistra.si

Total budget: EUR 170 940.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 136 752.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 188.00

Comune di Cesena

Name: Comune di Cesena

Department: Department for Strategic Planning, Integrated, Municipal, National and European Projects

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 984882226

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT00143280402

Address: Piazza del Popolo, 47521 Cesena, Italy

Department address: Piazza del Popolo, 47521 Cesena, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.comune.cesena.fc.it

Total budget: EUR 215 301.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 172 241.12

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 43 060.28

Contractors:

Name: Rosignoli Massimiliano
VAT registration or tax identification number: RSGMSM66R08F844G
Name: Formica Blu s.r.l.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02544861202

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

The City of Słupsk

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Bad Schoenborn

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

ALDA+ SRL Benefit Corporation SB

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

City Municipality Varaždin

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

TU Wien

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

Network for Regional Development Foundation

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

First Hungarian Responsible Innovation Association

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

Cesena Municipality

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Partners and Projects info

CISE – Centre for Innovation and Economic Development

Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Project acronym: GINEVRA

Project ID: CE0100104

Project start date: 2023-03-01

Project end date: 2026-02-28

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Horizon Europe projects related to governance of transformative innovations (EN) | Horizon Europe, whose first calls launched in 2020, will produce many projects working on transformative innovations that cities must to address. Horizon Europe includes topics on AV, and on many other innovations of relevant to smart cities, from big data, cyber security and block-chains to micro-satellites and Biometrics. Some topics are R&D focused, others are coordination actions that include a governance / deployment focus. We will monitor approved projects and set up all necessary contacts. (EN), Interreg Central Europe – projects funded on SO4.1 and other SO (particularly SO1.1 and SO2.5) (EN) | GINEVRA seeks peer exchange with projects funded under Interreg Central Europe focused on governance issues. Moreover, given the integrated territorial implications of our work on transformative innovations, we will also make contact with projects on SO1.1. Finally, our case study on AV makes synergies with mobility projects on SO2.5 an interesting opportunity. We will monitor approved projects and make use of the Interreg Central Community tools. (EN), LEVITATE: Societal Level Impacts of Connected and Automated Vehicles
(Horizon 2020) (EN) | LEVITATE, an ongoing H2020 project, aims to develop an evaluation framework to assess the impact of connected and automated transport (CAT) on all aspects of transport and individual mobility, including societal level. The latter (societal level) appears in GINEVRA, for the AV case study and transformative innovation in general. To ensure coordination and avoid overlaps, we will consult with LEVITATE and monitor their results continuously. (EN), Art-Forum (North Sea Region programme) (EN) | ART-Forum created a debating ground for local/regional authorities in the NSR, address risks and opportunities and help guide policy development with regard to the impact that automated transport could have on the entire road transport system and life in cities and regions in the NSR. This project has governance and technological relevance to GINEVRA. To ensure coordination and avoid overlaps, we will engage with ART-Forum coordinator and invite to GINEVRA master classes / consultations. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 536 965.40

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 029 572.32

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 2 029 572.32. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I3.2 - Transnational AV demonstrator - Bad Schönborn Site - EUR 14 000.00 - country: Deutschland (DE), town: Bad Schönborn, Karlsruhe (DE12), Karlsruhe, Landkreis (DE123)
I3.1 - Transnational AV demonstrator - Cesena Local Site - EUR 25 000.00 - country: Italia (IT), town: Cesena, Emilia-Romagna (ITH5), Forlì-Cesena (ITH58)

Deliverables:

GINEVRA Master Class - edited edition
Baseline study: Responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation, with AV case study
Joint strategy 1: Guidelines for Responsible, Multi-level Governance of transformative innovation
Full Tender document for Technology Provider
Comparative analysis of Local Pilot Deployment Plans (AV Case Study)
Stakeholder engagement Guidelines: responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation
Citizen engagement guidelines: responsible, multi-level governance of transformative innovation
Online AV Readiness Assessment Tool
Joint Solution 1: Responsible, Multi-level Governance of transformative innovation - ToolKit/Manual
Mid term report on Transnational Pilot: Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement
Final Report on Transnational Pilot: Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement Phase
Set up report Transnational Pilot AV demonstrator phase
Joint solution 2: Technology Demonstrators
Transnational Pilot Action developed and implemented jointly: Mid-Term Evaluation Report
Transnational Pilot Action developed and implemented jointly: Final Report
Joint strategy 2: Responsible, Multi-level Governance of transformative innovation - Capitalisation

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal Sustainable and Smart Mobility is a Green Deal pillar.
Our case study, Autonomous Vehicles, has the potential to achieve more efficient transport systems that reduce congestion and save fuels. With the right economic and service conditions, citizens can be encouraged to reduce private car ownership and make use of AV fleets, thus reducing GHG emissions.
We contribute to Sustainable & Smart Mobility Strategy, Flagship 7 for favourable conditions to develop new technologies/services, including AV.
TerritorialAgenda2030 GINEVRA is coherent with the Agenda’s multi-sectoral governance model, with coordinated action in spatial planning and territorial development, across administrative levels.
We help cities to embrace transformative innovations, regardless of digital maturity levels and support territorial cohesion, good urban governance and well managed digitalisation.
We contribute to A JUST EUROPE, offering smart, safe, citizen friendly future perspectives for all places and people in CE.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion GINEVRA includes partner organisations from EUSDR participating countries.
Submitted under Priority 4 (improving governance for cooperation in Central Europe), we contribute directly to PA10. PA10 supports institutional capacity building at local, regional and national level, involvement of civil society in public governance.
Our project designs, tests and integrates into policy frameworks a responsible, multi-sectoral governance on innovation readiness, developed in a transnational framework.
EUStrategyAlpineRegion GINEVRA project includes partner organisations from EUSALP participating countries and regions.
As per the EUSDR described above, our project can contribute to the cross-cutting policy area of Governance, including instructional capacity. This objective in EUSALP should encourage participants to work across sectors and to ensure policy synergies.
Other GINEVRA contributes to the European digital transformation strategy, specifically “Technology that works for people”.
This pillar seeks to enhance EU capacity to develop innovative solutions for various sectors. It demands a focus on ethical AI, ensuring that it is developed in ways that respect people’s rights and earn their trust.
This central component of our project is addressed as part of our responsible, multi-governance for innovation ready cities, including the case study on AV.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 15.0
(RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 1.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-10-08

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

100 / 100 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 013 / 1 011 (100.2%)

Notes on the data

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Governance of transformative innovation in Central European cities: the AV case

Description

Thematic information

Partners (11)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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