Mieux+ is an international project that brings together Italy and France to test new models of urban logistics in Alpine territories. Funded under the Interreg France-Italy ALCOTRA Programme, with support from the European Commission, Mieux+ involves public authorities, the research community, businesses and innovation stakeholders from both countries, working together to make freight distribution more sustainable, efficient and responsive to local needs.
Project coordination is managed by the City of Chambéry, while Politecnico di Torino acts as scientific leader within the consortium. The cross-border partnership includes I3P, the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino, among the institutional and operational bodies committed to developing innovative solutions for urban logistics.
The project has a total budget of €1,935,900, of which €1,548,720 is provided by the EU. With an expected duration of three years - from 2026 to 2029 - the project has a twofold strategic objective: on the one hand, to transform the structural challenges of urban logistics into opportunities for a fair and sustainable transition; on the other, to define a methodological and operational model that can be replicated in other European contexts facing similar challenges.
Activities, impact and expected outcomes
The aim of the project is summarised in its official slogan: "Towards a new model of Alpine logistics: innovation and sustainability for more responsible and inclusive freight mobility".
Against the backdrop of the green and digital transitions, Mieux+ aims to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of SMEs by offering sustainable logistics solutions and more efficient distribution models that are better integrated into local contexts. In particular, the project envisages the design, testing and validation of an innovative low-emission last-mile urban logistics model, inspired by the principles of the “15-minute city” and the proximity economy.
From a methodological perspective, activities are structured around three main strands: analysis and capitalisation, testing of innovative solutions, and impact assessment. The project will begin with a comparative analysis of sustainable logistics best practices already tested in Italy and France, together with a study of the characteristics and needs of the pilot territories. A shared system of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will also be developed to assess and compare the economic, environmental and social impacts of the solutions adopted. The results will feed into a Transferability Guide designed to facilitate the application of the most effective experiences in other areas of the cross-border region.
The analysis phase will then be followed by field testing: Chambéry and Cuneo will serve as pilot territories for testing new solutions for urban freight distribution. Activities will range from the creation of multifunctional logistics hubs to delivery systems using cargo bikes and low-impact vehicles, as well as the use of digital platforms to optimise logistics flows and monitor carbon footprints.
Alongside experimentation, Mieux+ aims to build a cross-border governance model based on cooperation among local authorities, research centres and economic operators in Italy and France. Dialogue between the two countries will also make it possible to address regulatory differences and adapt solutions to the specific characteristics of the various territories. In this context, a Permanent Cross-Border Observatory will be established, bringing together public authorities, the scientific community and businesses to ensure continuity in cooperation and support the development of shared strategies for more sustainable urban logistics.
An opportunity for new companies
The active involvement of local SMEs is a key factor in the project’s success. To this end, Mieux+ plans to organise support programmes, participatory workshops and training activities, with the aim of facilitating knowledge transfer and the adoption of the solutions developed.
Alongside its training activities, Mieux+ aims to encourage participation from local businesses through a binational programme supporting innovative entrepreneurship, designed to create a joint pool of Franco-Italian start-ups specialising in sustainable urban logistics and low-environmental-impact solutions. In this regard the project involves, in particular, the I3P incubator, which for over 25 years has been supporting the launch and growth of innovative start-ups with high technological intensity and growth potential.
Through these activities, Mieux+ aims not only to test more efficient, sustainable and inclusive logistics models, but also to strengthen cooperation between Italian and French territories, making available tools and solutions that can also be adopted in other contexts.
