Guidance on funding and financing options for rural mobility

This document is the last of a set of four Guidance documents prepared by SMARTA-NET. These documents help to build the capacity of municipalities to develop and implement sustainable, inclusive, and integrated mobility solutions in their territories. In particular, this Guidance focuses on a critical aspect: funding and financing options for rural mobility initiatives, including mobility in support of rural tourism. A lack of resources and of specific know-how in securing funding are significant obstacles for rural communities that aim to develop tailored mobility services. To address this need, this Guidance provides a stepwise approach. It is designed to guide rural municipalities and practitioners in understanding, preparing, and submitting robust funding proposals and financial strategies for mobility projects and sustain target services over time. Each chapter builds on key elements necessary for crafting a strong project plan - from identifying challenges and assets within rural communities, to assessing practical financial frameworks and to defining essential project components. This structured approach aims to help local authorities to navigate complex funding landscapes, to clearly assess financial requirements, and to develop compelling proposals that address regulatory and market considerations that may be unique to rural mobility.