OBJECTIVES

• Addressing and assessing connectivity gaps and harmonization needs of the railway sector in the South Adriatic area in view of its integration into the Core TEN-T network by 2030. 
• Strengthening the technical, managerial, and financial capacities of railway companies in Albania and Montenegro. 
• Improving access to financing for railway, logistics, and emergency-adapted/multimodal infrastructure projects (through instruments such as the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, ESIF, CEF, RRF, and PESCO). 
• Facilitating the transfer of expertise from Puglia and Molise to Albania and Montenegro, particularly in connectivity planning and access to EU support mechanisms. 

MAIN ACTIVITIES

• The project is structured into 3 main Work Packages (WPs):
• *    WP1 - Assessment of TEN-T policy and infrastructure gaps in the railway sector:
• o    Creation and coordination of the Management Team and Steering Committee.
• o    Assessment report on the state of the art and future needs of the railway/logistics sector up to 2030 in the South Adriatic.
• o    Analysis of Italian and foreign stakeholders' level of awareness regarding EU funding instruments.
• o    Development of an AI-powered Data Science-Based Model (DSBM) prototype for monitoring, preparing, ensuring transparency, and reporting on EU connectivity projects.
• *    WP2 - Support for a South Adriatic Area Rail Knowledge Hub:
• o    Customized Knowledge Transfer and Absorption Programme (KTAP) aimed at public authorities, railway companies, and private entities. 
• *    WP3 - Increasing the readiness of rail connectivity actors for the new MFF 2028-2034:
• o    Strategic positioning, advocacy, and cooperation actions to influence the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework and promote regional integration. 

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Development of Joint Solutions: Realization of 1 Data Science-Based Model (DSBM) prototype for awareness and monitoring of EU projects.
• Training and Knowledge Transfer Programmes: Delivery of the KTAP programme on EU toolboxes (connectivity, cohesion, competitiveness, defense) targeting over 31 organizations. 
• Strategic Plans and Joint Actions: Formulation of 1 joint strategy/plan on the state of the art of the railway sector in the South Adriatic area.
• Enhanced Integration into the TEN-T Network: Improvement of Albania and Montenegro's capacity to meet the requirements for EU accession Chapters 14 and 21. 

ROLE OF THE MOLISE REGION

• Transfer of expertise and experience in managing Cohesion funds, NRRP (PNRR), and monitoring/emergency networks. 
• Organization and hosting of one of the thematic project seminars/workshops aimed at transport and connectivity sector stakeholders.
• Involvement of regional sectoral bodies (road transport, rail transport, and logistics) to create cross-border synergies.
• Integration of security, territorial resilience, and emergency management topics with transport infrastructure. 

PROJECT PARTNERS:

• CDI - Cooperation and Development Institute (Albania) - (Lead Partner)
• HSH - Albanian Railways (Albania)
• Puglia MonitPNRR - Puglia Region (Special Structure for NRRP Implementation Monitoring) (Italy)
• MOL - Molise Region (Civil Protection Service) (Italy)
• ŽICG / RIOM - Railway Infrastructure of Montenegro JSC (Montenegro)