MOBI-TWIN Press Release
  • Date: 04/09/2023
    MOBI-TWIN | Twin transition and changing patterns of spatial mobility: a regional approach

    The MOBI-TWIN project, a recently launched initiative funded by the European Union, sets out to redefine regional attractiveness in the context of significant global transition processes such as the green and digital transition – known as the Twin Transition. The project aims to analyse the changing drivers of spatial mobility and examine the effects of twin transitions on regional attractiveness and human (im)mobility.

    The driving force behind MOBI-TWIN lies in the recognition that the twin transition presents both opportunities and challenges for regions across Europe. As certain areas become more alluring due to the emerging prospects brought forth by the green and digital revolution, others risk being left behind. By utilising advanced information and computer modeling techniques, MOBI-TWIN seeks to comprehensively understand the impact of these changes on different regions of Europe and develop innovative policies that promote balance and inclusivity by harnessing the positive effects of Twin Transition.

    A primary focus of MOBI-TWIN is to unravel the underlying factors that influence individuals' decisions to relocate and how these factors may evolve in response to global changes. By analysing various types of moves, including permanent relocations, commuting patterns, and temporary stays, the project aims to gain insights into the intricate dynamics and implications for different European regions.

    Taking a step further, MOBI-TWIN employs a specialised computer model to simulate the potential outcomes of people's mobility in the face of the Twin Transition. This includes assessing the potential influx of individuals into specific locations, the types of jobs they may acquire, and the subsequent impact on regional populations, social structures, welfare system, and labour markets. By leveraging these findings, MOBI-TWIN aims to propose policies that harness the positive aspects of these changes and maximise the benefits for different areas. Of particular importance is the examination of how the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit have affected freedom of movement between EU regions.

    THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE MOBI-TWIN PROJECT
    • UNDERSTAND patterns, drivers, and forms of spatial mobility during Twin Transition.
    • REDEFINE regional attractiveness under the effects of Twin Transition and develop novel typologies of EU regions.
    • ANALYSE the effects of spatial mobility on EU demographics, society, welfare systems and labour market using microsimulation and agent-based modelling.
    • INITIATE an open policy discussion and engage stakeholders and society on the effects of Twin Transition on spatial mobility for addressing regional inequalities across EU regions.
    • MAXIMISE MOBI-TWIN’s impact by disseminating project’s outcomes to a wide audience and engage multiple types of stakeholders.

    The MOBI-TWIN project commenced in June 2023 and will continue until May 2026. It brings together a consortium of 9 partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Cyprus, and Finland: White Research SRL, Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessalonikis, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Universitat de Barcelona (AQR research group), Helsingin Yliopisto, Fondation Europeenne de la Science, Politecnico di Milano, Erevnitiko Panepistimiako Institouto Periferiakis Anaptixis, Acceligence Ltd. As project coordinator, WR will oversee the consortium and project activities to ensure the accomplishment of project objectives and Key Performance Indicators.

    The project’s kick-off meeting took place in Brussels, Belgium on June 29th and 30th, 2023, and welcomed over 15 participants who agreed to collaborate on the development of prototype technologies, pilot cases, and generating valuable results.

    MOBI-TWIN has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement N° 101094402, with a total budget of 2.91 million euros.

    Universitat de Barcelona’s team members will develop key tasks within the project, leading a scientific part of the project and taking care of specific activities:

    • Explore the effects of various factors on spatial mobility as a whole, focusing on (but not limited to): individual characteristics (e.g. age, sex, education), regional characteristics (e.g. accessibility, labour market conditions), framework conditions (e.g. freedom of movement) and life stages (e.g. labour, student, leisure). Given the data availability for the selected case studies.
    • Investigate potential historical barriers to mobility that could interact with the twin transitions a Develop a Regional Attractiveness Index for EU regions in the twin transition nd with traditional attractiveness of regions, such as linguistic barriers.
    • Develop a Regional Attractiveness Index for EU regions in the twin transition, considering (i) personal aspects; (ii) socio-economic conditions; (iii) ecological factors; and (iv) connectivity.
    • Define a typology of EU regions based on the Regional Attractiveness Index, clustering EU regions based on their attractiveness characteristics to investigate which regions indicate the highest or the lowest potential for attracting individuals in the digital era.
    • Collaborate on the regional and cross-regional multi-stakeholder dialogues for discussing the results of the MOBITWIN model, with specific emphasis on the Spanish pilot region of Castilla-La Mancha.

     

    For more information about the MOBI-TWIN project, please visit the project's website at www.mobi-twin-project.eu (currently under construction).

    Follow MOBI-TWIN's journey and stay updated with new developments and upcoming results by joining the project's community on Twitter (@MobiTwinProject) and LinkedIn (@mobi-twin-project-heu).

     

    Disclaimer: The content of this document reflects only the authors' view, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.