During European Mobility Week, Ruse presented the activities of the CLIMA SUMP project.

Wednesday, 16 September 2026

This year, the Municipality of Ruse is marking European Mobility Week with a series of initiatives and a thematic program under the project "Implementation of municipal sustainable urban mobility plans for the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society" (Project No. 101104610 – LIFE22-IPC-BG-LIFE-SIP CLIMA-SUMP).

European Mobility Week—the European Commission’s flagship awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility—takes place annually from September 16 to 22. Its primary goal is to encourage people to rethink how they travel and to shift towards cleaner, safer, more accessible, and sustainable modes of transport. A key focus of the campaign is cycling.

To mark the start of the week, an information point for the project was set up today in the square in front of the Courthouse in Ruse. Dimitar Nedev, Deputy Mayor of Ruse and Project Manager, opened the event and outlined the main objectives, priorities, and expected outcomes of the project "Implementation of municipal sustainable urban mobility plans for the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society" (Project No. 101104610 – LIFE22-IPC-BG-LIFE-SIP CLIMA-SUMP) to the media. The event continued with a "Ride Your Bike Safely" creative workshop for the youngest cyclists—children from the 3rd and 4th age groups of "Radost" Kindergarten in Ruse, accompanied by their teachers. At the information booth, project representatives explained the European Commission’s campaign and the mission of the LIFE 2021–2027 programme to citizens. Young people from the International Youth Centre and the Regional Information Centre in Ruse also took part in the event.

This strategic integrated project is being implemented through an associated partnership involving the municipalities of Ruse, Sofia, Burgas, Veliko Tarnovo, Stara Zagora, and Montana, as well as the National Association of Municipalities and the "Economy 2000" Club. The primary focus is on preparing and implementing the Ruse Municipality Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for 2026–2036.

By the project's completion in 2030, a brand-new, interconnected bicycle network is expected to be designed and built in Ruse, extending to the city's outlying neighborhoods. Plans also include the installation of new traffic light systems—so-called "smart traffic lights"—to reduce congestion at key intersections. These measures are expected to significantly lower harmful atmospheric emissions and encourage alternative modes of transport and cycling, representing a step toward a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle.

Mobility Week continues over the coming days with thematic campaigns, visits to two kindergartens—"Zora" and "Snezhanka"—and demonstrations in Youth Park. On September 22—Car-Free Day—public transport in Ruse will be free for all residents and visitors. This document was produced within the framework of the project "Implementation of municipal Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans for the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society" – 101104610 – LIFE22-IPC-BG-LIFE-SIP CLIMA-SUMP, implemented with the financial support of the LIFE 2021–2027 programme and the Municipality of Ruse; under no circumstances may this document be considered to reflect the official position of the European Union or the LIFE 2021–2027 programme.

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