Train for Transition: A citizen-driven shift to low-carbon travel

Published in the Geneva Forum Proceedings, Volume 1, 2025 Edition.

By Chloé LAROSE and Thomas EGLI

The Train for Transition initiative aims to accelerate a societal shift toward inclusive, low-carbon mobility through citizen participation, territorial engagement and cross-sector collaboration. Rather than focusing on a single transport mode, the initiative works on the broader cultural, social and infrastructural conditions that enable people and communities to adopt more sustainable mobility practices. Through participatory field expeditions, Objectif Sciences International (OSI) engages citizens, youth and local actors in identifying mobility needs, mapping walkability and access barriers, and documenting existing low-carbon opportunities across territories. These data feed local Citizen Mobility Observatories, generating simple, actionable insights for communities and authorities. Step and Go supports capacity-building by training local leaders and organisations to design, prototype and deliver small-scale mobility solutions adapted to their local context. The Geneva Forum connects these efforts with cities, operators, innovators and potential funders, facilitating partnerships, visibility and scaling mechanisms aligned with global sustainable mobility agendas. Terra Scientifica mobilizes travel professionals and the public through regenerative travel events, fostering a cultural shift toward low-impact, place-based mobility.

By combining evidence, capacity-building and cultural engagement, Train for Transition aims to produce replicable models for inclusive low-carbon mobility transitions, strengthening territorial resilience while supporting local economies and communities.

Authorship:

- Chloé LAROSE, Dr in Evolutionary Biology, Member of the Geneva Forum Organization team, Internal Co-chair of the Citizen Sciences Session of the Geneva Forum
- Thomas EGLI, Founder of Objectif Sciences International (OSI) NGO ; Founder of the Geneva Forum

A citizen-driven mobility transition

The Train for Transition initiative proposes a citizen-driven approach to transforming mobility systems toward low-carbon, inclusive and territorially rooted practices. Instead of promoting a single transport mode, the initiative focuses on understanding and shifting the underlying conditions that enable behavioural change: accessibility, walkability, infrastructure gaps, safety, cultural norms, and the capacity of communities to design and implement their own solutions.

Participatory territorial and field expeditions (OSI).

OSI will lead expeditions in which citizens, youth and communities observe real mobility situations on the ground. Participants identify barriers, opportunities, and needs related to walking, cycling, public transport access, and low-carbon travel options. The findings are transformed into open data through Citizen Mobility Observatories, creating a shared, accessible knowledge base for local authorities and communities.

Training, capacity building, and local innovation (Step and Go).

Step and Go trains local project leaders and organisations to design and prototype small-scale mobility improvements (e.g., walkability interventions, awareness tools, accessibility enhancements, micro-infrastructure solutions), building the operational capacity needed for long-term change.

Partnerships and Scaling (Geneva Forum).

The Geneva Forum facilitates connections between territories, policy-makers, transport operators, researchers, and funders, enabling pilot actions, visibility, and alignment with global agendas on sustainable mobility and climate resilience. This multi-stakeholder platform will ensure institutional visibility, create opportunities for scale-up, and align local projects with global agendas such as sustainable transport, climate adaptation and community resilience.

Cultural engagement, cultural transformation, and regenerative travel (Terra Scientifica).

Terra Scientifica mobilizes travel professionals and the public by promoting regenerative tourism and slow-travel experiences. This cultural engagement helps shift public perceptions and fosters behavioural change toward low-impact mobility practices.

Economic and Territorial Impact.

By encouraging slow-travel and low-carbon mobility, the initiative supports local businesses, circular-economy services and territorial regeneration in rural and peri-urban regions. It promotes a mobility transition that is both economically inclusive and culturally enriching.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Progress will be monitored through annual datasets from the Citizen Mobility Observatories, measuring walkability, accessibility and modal-shift indicators. Training outputs, partnership milestones, and slow-travel economic indicators will also be tracked. A public annual report and an open dashboard will synthesize findings, complemented by community feedback cycles and yearly coordination meetings at the Geneva Forum.

Partners

Objectif Sciences International (OSI); Step and Go; the Geneva Forum; Terra Scientifica; and a growing network of transport operators, municipalities, universities, youth networks and civil-society coalitions.