On December 19th, 2023, the European-funded project WalkingBus officially took its first steps with the Kick-Off Meeting held in Thessaloniki, Greece, at the innovation hub OK!Thess. Eight enthusiastic participants representing the four partner organizations from Greece, Türkiye, and Italy came together to launch this new adventure focused on sustainable and child-friendly mobility.
The atmosphere was one of excitement and optimism, as partners from AUTh (Greece), TERO (Greece), MVNGO (Italy), and KARGENC (Türkiye) met in person for the first time. The day began with a welcome coffee, allowing space for informal exchanges and setting a positive tone for the meeting.
The agenda was packed with presentations and planning sessions. Each partner introduced their organization, highlighting their experience, areas of expertise, and expectations for the project. This was followed by a comprehensive overview of WalkingBus objectives, methodology, and timeline, led by AUTh.
Work packages were then discussed in detail: AUTh presented WP1 (management) and WP2 (action design), TERO introduced WP3 (implementation and evaluation), and MVNGO outlined the communication and dissemination strategy under WP4. A vibrant Q&A session followed, giving space for clarifications and early synergies.
The meeting closed with a shared lunch, further strengthening the bond among partners. The Kick-Off was more than a formal start—it was a moment of shared vision, joyful anticipation, and strong commitment to making cities more walkable and safe for children.