Toyota Mobility Foundation and POLIS Launch Inclusive Mobility Cities Challenge Across Europe

October 12, 2026

Multi-year program will support three to five cities to co-develop and deploy inclusive, innovative, and sustainable mobility solutions

• The call invites POLIS member cities and regions and cities which have 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.
• The 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 October 12, 2026, and close on December 11, 2026, at 11:59pm Central European Time (CET).

The Challenge brings together TMF's experience in advancing human-centrd mobility solutions and the POLIS network of 130 cities and regions working to improve local transport across Europe. Working alongside implementation collaborator Rupprecht Consult, the organizations 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, plus regions and cities with an existing relationship with the TMF. Eligible applicants are invited to submit a clearly defined mobility challenge and an integrated approach to addressing it. Three to five cities will be selected as Champion Cities and supported to co-develop, implement, and evaluate solutions with residents, mobility users, and local stakeholders. 

Rather than focus on stand-alone technologies, the program will support practical, people-centered interventions that improve accessibility, affordability, safety and participation in daily life. The Challenge seeks solutions 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 program 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 behavioral 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 solutions 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. 

"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." 

Andy Fuchs, Program General Manager, Toyota Mobility Foundation Europe 

"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."

Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General, POLIS 

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants must: 

• Be a POLIS member city or region or/and have an existing relationship 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 organizational capacity to deliver a multi-year program. 

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

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

How to Apply 

Applications open on October 12, 2026. 

Interested POLIS members can access application materials and detailed guidance through the Challenge website. To apply, please click here.   

The application deadline is December 11, 2026, at 23.59 CET 

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 

About Toyota Mobility Foundation 

Toyota Mobility Foundation (Chair Akio Toyoda) was established in August 2014 by 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 is 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.