Independent mobility of young people in rural regions

In Austria, 2/3 of the population live in rural areas. In these regions in particular, young people experience mobility as "car-orientated", and many young people associate private cars with freedom and independence. Offers for active mobility, sharing or demand-responsive transport are little known, unpopular or simply do not exist. The EMOJI project focuses on solutions for a regional mobility supply guarantee that are co-designed and supported by young people. In pilot regions (Upper Austria, Styria), we will evaluate existing ideas for sustainable, regional mobility provision for young people and prepare them for sustainable implementation. Information on the willingness of municipalities to ensure mobility supply suitable for young people and on perceived barriers to the implementation of good mobility solutions will be collected. Existing offers, examples of good practice and measures that have been "put on hold" will be examined for their suitability and their feasibility. The resulting framework concept should contain easily transferable, necessary principles and recommendations that enable municipalities to define and implement needs-based, attractive mobility offers with and for young people. The concept is developed in a participatory process together with young people, representatives of municipalities and relevant stakeholders in municipalities. The development of the regional solution approach is evidence-based and orientated towards the mobility needs of young people and their perceived hurdles as well as the needs and scope for action of the municipalities. The final output of the project is a framework concept for the development of a mobility offer tailored to young people in the model regions and support for decision-makers during implementation.