On Wednesday, 25 March 2026, the kick-off meeting of the Cycle2Connect project was held online. Officially titled European Student Cycling Challenge: Connecting for Sustainable Mobility 2027, the initiative will mark the first international student cycling challenge. The event is set to take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia in June 2027.

There are many different ways to assess how widely cycling is embedded within cities and communities, from infrastructure and usage rates to cultural habits and accessibility. Bringing together partners from 12 European countries, the Cycle2Connect consortium aims precisely to foster the exchange of good practices, experiences, and tools to strengthen cycling culture among students.

The meeting was opened by Andrej Hauptman, President of KD Rog and a prominent figure in Slovenian and European cycling, both as a former professional athlete and as an active contributor to the sport’s development. During the meeting, partners were introduced to the project structure, including the division of tasks across five main work packages, as well as the allocation of the project budget.

This non-profit sports initiative is co-funded by the European Union as a not-for-profit sport event. The project is coordinated by Rog Cycling Association, with EUSA Institute being one of the key associated partners, alongside the City of Ljubljana, and partners from 12 European countries, including NGOs, National University Sports Associations, Universities and University Sport centers. The project aims to encourage students to move away from inactive lifestyles by integrating cycling into their daily routines.

Beyond promoting physical activity and sustainable mobility, the project also pursues strong objectives in environmental awareness and social inclusion. These goals will be supported through the integration of a dedicated mobile application designed to track distances, display leaderboards, and provide performance feedback, leveraging technology to enhance engagement and participation.

In the long term, the project aims to establish cycling as a preferred mode of transport for students and the wider population, with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusion. By creating opportunities for people with disabilities and vulnerable groups to engage in active mobility, Cycle2Connect seeks to foster lasting behavioural change while contributing to healthier, more equitable, and sustainable urban environments across Europe.

The Cycle2Connect project is co-funded by the European Union. More information will be available on the official project website; key information is also available at https://www.eusa.eu/projects/cycle2connect