About the project

This project is implemented by CoPlan, Institute for Habitat Development (Albania) and Green Home (Montenegro), supported by the Transport Policy Partnership program, a regional initiative jointly developed by the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat and the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans.

Across many Western Balkan cities, transport systems continue to overlook the mobility needs of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups. Poorly lit streets, unreliable public transport, unsafe road conditions, and fragmented cycling infrastructure limit access to education, employment, and public life, reinforcing broader social and economic inequalities. In the cross-border area between Shkodra (Albania) and Ulcinj (Montenegro), these challenges are particularly visible for people who rely on walking, cycling, or public transport in their daily lives.

Through “Wheels of Change: Gender- and Youth-Inclusive Public Transport in the Western Balkans,” the project brings together civil society organisations, municipal actors, urban planners, transport experts, youth groups, and women’s organisations to promote more inclusive and evidence-based mobility planning. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Space Syntax analysis, and citizen-generated data, the initiative will identify mobility “black spots” related to accessibility, safety, and connectivity in Shkodra and Ulcinj. Running throughout 2026, the project will organize participatory workshops, walkability audits, stakeholder consultations, and cross-border exchanges, while also producing local action plans and policy recommendations aimed at supporting safer, more inclusive, and sustainable transport systems in the Western Balkans.

Local impact

At the local level, the project creates opportunities for women, youth, and local communities to directly influence how mobility systems are planned and improved in Shkodra and Ulcinj. Through participatory assessments and community engagement activities, citizens will be able to identify safety concerns, accessibility barriers, and infrastructure gaps affecting their everyday mobility.

The initiative promotes stronger collaboration between municipalities, civil society organizations, transport experts, and local communities, encouraging more transparent and citizen-centred decision-making processes. By generating concrete local evidence and involving communities in the identification of solutions, the project supports the development of more inclusive and responsive transport policies and urban planning practices. The project also strengthens local capacities for sustainable mobility planning by encouraging municipalities and stakeholders to integrate gender-sensitive and youth-friendly perspectives into future transport investments and public space interventions.

Regional impact

At the regional level, “Wheels of Change” promotes cross-border cooperation and knowledge-sharing on inclusive and sustainable mobility between Albania and Montenegro. Through joint research, stakeholder exchanges, and participatory planning approaches, the project strengthens the role of civil society organizations in shaping transport policy and urban mobility discussions across the Western Balkans.

The initiative contributes to broader regional efforts on accessibility, road safety, sustainable transport, and citizen-centred urban development. By promoting evidence-based advocacy and stronger cooperation between local actors and institutions, the project supports more inclusive mobility policies, improved regional connectivity, and the wider European integration and decarbonization agenda in the Western Balkans.