ICONIC – Intermodal CONnection for an Inclusive and Climate-friendly mobility
In the ICONIC project, the Saarland is working together with six European partner regions on policy development for the intermodal linking of transportation. The project aims to establish standards and criteria for sustainable mobility, with special consideration given to accessibility.
Mobility planning in European regions is undergoing change. Various reasons contribute to this, including demographic change, rural deprivation, the digital divide and the challenges posed by climate change and the need to achieve the EU’s climate targets. These developments emphasise the limitations of conventional mobility models, that are primarily based on private cars.
Instead, mobility concepts are needed, that ensure that regions remain connected and that all people can participate in social, cultural and economic life. Current approaches to intermodality tend to exclude people with physical or cognitive restrictions, elderly or those with limited digital skills due to increasing complexity. Sustainable mobility planning must take the needs of all users into account.
ICONIC aims to establish standards and criteria for an inclusive and sustainable intermodal mobility, by verifying mobility planning and concepts through operationalisation. The project focuses on improving and implementing sustainable mobility plans (incl. Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, SUMPs) by anchoring the concept of intermodality and ensuring accessibility. To ensure the sustainability of intermodal options, guaranteeing seamless mobility for everyone is essential. ICONIC plans to achieve this by integrating digital innovations into transport planning. This will increase the connectivity of intermodal services as well as their efficiency and usability.
Through a process of mutual learning, six European partner regions, under the leadership of the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (MUKMAV) Saarland (DE), will further develop and evaluate their planning programs for sustaina-ble mobility in accordance with the joint requirements.
The partnership consists of Podkarpackie region (POL); Sinergija, Regional Development Agency, Pomurje (SWN); SERDA, Agency from the canton of Sarajevo (BIH); Development Agency of the Municipalities of Sakana (ESP); Municipality of Castelo Branco (PRT) and North-East RDA (ROU).
The project is co-financed by Interreg Europe and was approved in the third call. REM Consult has been commissioned by the MUKMAV of Saarland to support the project and finance management, as well as to support communication activities. REM Consult is supporting the partnership in these areas since June 2025.
