As part of the international BauNOW project, under the patronage of the Geodetic Institute of Slovenia and where Iskriva Institute participates as a project partner, the Municipality of Kočevje has received two new electric vehicles designed to improve the quality of volunteer transport for elderly residents. This represents an important step towards sustainable, inclusive, and energy-efficient mobility, directly addressing the needs of the local community and an aging population.

The new electric vehicles will be operated daily by the Kočevje branch of Zavod Sopotniki, which has been providing free volunteer transport services for older residents in the Kočevje area for many years. The vehicles will contribute to greater safety, comfort, and reliability of the service while reducing the environmental footprint of transport, in line with the goals of the BauNOW project and broader European Green Transition objectives.

The BauNOW project promotes the development of innovative, locally adapted solutions in the fields of sustainable mobility and community services. By connecting local stakeholders, expertise, and European development funds, the project creates conditions for long-term, systemic change. The role of the Iskriva Institute in the project focuses on supporting the transfer of best practices and strengthening collaboration among partners, with the clear objective of improving the quality of life in local communities.

The Kočevje example demonstrates how strategic partnerships and coordinated action can lead to concrete solutions with a direct and positive impact on people. The acquisition of the electric vehicles is therefore not just an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in a dignified, safe, and more inclusive future for older residents.

You can read more about this and other BauNOW project activities in the January project newsletter.