One of the key objectives of the INSHAPE European Network of Innovation Hubs is to help SMEs develop innovative solutions that encourage healthier lifestyles, tackle physical inactivity, and create new opportunities for growth through interregional collaboration. A great example of this mission in action is ActiVschool, a collaborative project developed by Factual Consulting from Catalonia and MVP Sport Ltd. from Hungary.
ActiVschool was created with a simple but ambitious goal: making cycling to school a safe, accessible, and attractive option for children and their families. While many parents recognize the benefits of active transport, concerns about road safety and the lack of suitable support often prevent children from cycling regularly. The project addresses these challenges through a combination of cycling education, digital technology, and urban mobility expertise.
The solution introduced a structured BikeBus service in Debrecen, Hungary, where children cycle to school in supervised groups along carefully selected routes. The project combines MVP Sport’s BeCyclist educational programme, which provides cycling training for children and BikeBus monitors, with Factual Consulting’s expertise in cycling infrastructure and mobility planning. Factual also contributed its Lane Patrol Community app, which supports route planning, daily coordination, communication between participants, and real-time tracking for parents.
Although participation in the I3-INSHAPE Innovation Support Programme did not significantly alter the original project plan, it played an important role in validating and strengthening the consortium’s approach. In particular, the partners identified two aspects of the programme that had the greatest impact:
- The Matchmaking process, which enabled the consortium partners to find each other and build a collaboration based on complementary expertise.
- The ELIS Pitch Stop event in Eindhoven, where the team received valuable feedback that confirmed the project’s direction while highlighting opportunities for further improvement and development.
The project has already delivered significant results. More than 200 children from several schools in Debrecen have participated in cycling training activities, while three BikeBus pilot initiatives were successfully implemented between November 2025 and May 2026. Another important achievement was the localization of the Lane Patrol Community app into Hungarian, making it easier for both children and parents to participate in the programme and allowing families to follow journeys in real time.
Among all the milestones achieved so far, the consortium is especially proud of the very first BikeBus pilot launched in November 2025. Despite challenging weather conditions, the pilot proved to be a remarkable success. Children enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to cycle to school in a safe and enjoyable environment, demonstrating that the concept had the potential to become a sustainable mobility solution for local communities.
When reflecting on their experience within I3-INSHAPE, the consortium highlights both the ELIS Pitch Stop and the Innovation Business Support activities as particularly valuable. The feedback received during the Pitch Stop helped strengthen the project, while the ongoing support provided practical guidance whenever questions or challenges emerged. However, the partners believe that the most unique contribution of I3-INSHAPE was the Matchmaking Tool, which brought together two organisations with different but complementary capabilities and laid the foundation for a solution that neither company could have developed independently.
Looking back at the journey, the ActiVschool team encourages other SMEs operating in the sports, vitality, and active mobility sectors to embrace collaboration and remain open to partnerships beyond their traditional networks.
“It is very important that they not be afraid of partnership, even if they are very different, so that they can create something they hadn’t thought of before. Each party contributes its own expertise to the project. Despite their differences, they will be able to work well together, sharing different perspectives with one another, and both parties can learn from the other.”
Áron Hegedűs
Mobility Consultant, Factual Consulting Ltd.
ActiVschool demonstrates how cross-border collaboration can transform an innovative idea into a practical solution that improves everyday life. By helping children travel actively and safely to school, the project is contributing to healthier communities while creating a model that can be replicated in cities across Europe. Through the support of I3-INSHAPE, what started as a shared vision between two SMEs is becoming a scalable solution for the future of active mobility.