Toyota Mobility Foundation and POLIS launch European inclusive mobility cities challenge

• Multi-year programme will support three to five cities in development and deployment of inclusive, innovative and sustainable mobility 

• Call to POLIS member cities and regions and cities with an existing relationship with the Toyota Mobility Foundation with populations between 100,000 and 1,000,000 to apply to become Champion Cities 

• Selected cities will receive substantial project funding, expert support and peer-learning opportunities over three to four years 

• Initiative combines the expertise of Toyota Mobility Foundation and the network reach of POLIS, representing 130 cities, regions and related entities across Europe 

• Applications open now; closing on 11 December 2026 at 22:59 GMT 

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and POLIS today announced the launch of the Inclusive Mobility Cities Challenge, a multi-year European programme that brings together cities and stakeholders to co-develop innovative mobility and make everyday mobility more inclusive, sustainable and resilient in mid-size urban areas. 

The Challenge brings together TMF’s experience in advancing human-centred mobility s and POLIS’s network of 130 cities and regions acting to improve local transport across Europe. Working alongside implementation partner Rupprecht Consult, the organisations will support a select group of cities in developing, deploying and evaluating innovative mobility solutions that address the needs of underserved communities. 

The open call is exclusively available to POLIS member cities and regions and cities which have an existing relationship with TMF. Eligible applicants are invited to put forward a clearly defined mobility challenge and an integrated approach to how it could be addressed. Three to five will be selected as Champion Cities and supported in the co-development, implementation and evaluation of solutions with residents, mobility users and local stakeholders. 

Rather than focusing on stand-alone technologies, the programme will support practical, people-centred interventions that improve accessibility, affordability, safety and participation in daily life. The Challenge seeks ideas that address persistent barriers to mobility, including transport poverty, physical accessibility constraints, service gaps and unequal mobility outcomes linked to age, gender, disability or other social and economic factors. 

The programme places particular emphasis on transport poverty and the multiple, overlapping barriers that can prevent people from accessing jobs, education, healthcare and social opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their proposed interventions will benefit groups that are often underserved by existing mobility systems, while ensuring meaningful citizen participation and co-creation throughout project design and delivery. 

Projects may address a range of mobility areas, including active mobility, public transport, shared mobility and integrated mobility services. Proposals may also focus on supporting measures such as behavioural change, demand management, safety improvements, mobility management and innovative approaches to the use of public space. All projects should contribute to a more sustainable mobility future and consider the role of zero-emission and smart mobility where relevant. 

Champion Cities will receive financial support to bridge the gap between current mobility challenges and long-term ambitions for a more inclusive transport system. In addition to funding, cities will benefit from technical expertise, implementation guidance, monitoring support and opportunities to exchange knowledge with peers across the POLIS network. 

The local projects will be implemented over a period of up to four years and evaluated against agreed indicators related to accessibility, affordability, usability, safety and social inclusion. Insights and lessons learned through the Challenge will contribute to practical guidance, capacity building and policy recommendations that can help other cities replicate successful approaches. 

Andy Fuchs, Programme General Manager, Toyota Mobility Foundation Europe, said: “Inclusive mobility is fundamental to ensuring that everyone can participate fully in society. Through this partnership, TMF and POLIS are creating an opportunity for cities to test and scale practical solutions that address real mobility challenges while generating knowledge that can benefit communities across Europe.” 

Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General, POLIS, commented: “Cities and regions are at the forefront of addressing mobility inequalities. Through the Inclusive Mobility Cities Challenge, POLIS is pleased to work with TMF to provide our member cities with the resources, expertise, and collaborative environment needed to deliver meaningful change for their residents in line with the POLIS Just Transition agenda.” 

Eligibility criteria 

Eligible applicants must: 

• Be a POLIS member city or region or/and have an existing relation with TMF 

• Be located in the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. 

• Represent a city or functional urban area with a population between 100,000 and 1,000,000 inhabitants. 

• Demonstrate political commitment and organisational capacity to deliver a multi-year programme. 

• Submit an Expression of Interest signed by an authorised political representative. 

Three to five Champion Cities will ultimately be selected following a competitive evaluation process. 

Application process 

Applications opened on 12 October 2026. 

Interested POLIS members can access application materials and detailed guidance through the Challenge website: https://members.polisnetwork.eu/inclusive-mobility-cities-challenge 

The application deadline is Friday, 11 December 2026 at 22.59 GMT 

Pre-selected applicants are expected to be notified in February 2027, with project development activities commencing shortly thereafter. 

For enquiries, please contact: Cláudia Ribeiro, POLIS, cribeiro@polisnetwork.eu 

Notes to editors 

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (Chair Akio Toyoda, hereafter referred to as “TMF”) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores Toyota’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world. 

“TMF aims to create a truly mobile society that will help people live better lives no matter where they are,” said Chair Akio Toyoda. 

About POLIS 

POLIS is a registered international non-profit association under Belgian law with its secretariat based in Brussels. POLIS is the leading European network of cities and regions on urban transport innovation, where European local and regional authorities have been working together since 1998 to promote sustainable mobility through the deployment of innovative transport solutions. Its aim is to improve local transport through integrated strategies that address the economic, social and environmental dimensions of transport. 

About Rupprecht Consult 

Rupprecht Consult – Forschung & Beratung GmbH are a fully independent private research and consultancy company, based in Cologne since 1996. Their mission is to contribute to sustainable development of cities and regions in Europe and worldwide, by developing innovative ideas in cooperation with other stakeholders, and by implementing concepts through concrete projects. Their international and interdisciplinary team works practically, and with a clear set of values: sustainable, impact-driven, and collaborative. In this way, they create solutions that go beyond concepts and deliver real change that is reliable, high-quality and effective. 

ENDS