In the transnational area between Shkodra and Ulcinj, the daily movement of women and young people is hampered by numerous obstacles. Many people rely on bicycles, buses and walking, and face dangerous roads, insufficient public transport and inadequate infrastructure, especially at night. Wheels of Change is a joint initiative of Co-PLAN and Green Home that seeks to address these shortcomings by redesigning local transport networks to be gender-sensitive and youth-friendly. The project aims to strengthen the role of civil society in formulating sustainable, inclusive and citizen-centered transport policies across the Western Balkans.

Shkodra and Ulcinj face a significant problem: their urban transport infrastructures do not adequately serve the entire population. Women often do not have access to cars and rely on walking or public transport; yet, many feel unsafe on poorly lit streets or crowded buses. Young people also face barriers, such as insufficient bicycle lanes and limited influence on transport policies that affect their daily mobility. This initiative aims to address these shortcomings by enabling these specific groups to contribute to the solution. The underlying idea is that mobility can only be truly safe and inclusive if it is designed with the needs of its most vulnerable users in mind.

Overall objective: To improve mobility safety, accessibility and policy accountability in Shkodra and Ulcinj through the active involvement of young people and women in evidence-based transport planning.