Drive for change
Basic information
Project Title
Drive for change
Full project title
Recharge and Reintegrate: Drive for Change
Category
Prioritising the places and people that need it the most
Project Description
The essence of this project is to integrate the three inseparable values: sustainability, inclusiveness and aesthetics and quality experience.
The mission of the project is a green city, providing a sense of belonging and mobility to the people who need it most.
The vision of the project is cleaner air; reintegration of ex-convicts and integration of disabled persons and inclusion of the specified categories of persons in the final design of the vehicles.
The mission of the project is a green city, providing a sense of belonging and mobility to the people who need it most.
The vision of the project is cleaner air; reintegration of ex-convicts and integration of disabled persons and inclusion of the specified categories of persons in the final design of the vehicles.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Skopje, North Macedonia
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Although our project is in the initial phase, i.e. the idea phase, the end point is quite clear and easily visible.
Skopje is at the top of the list of the most polluted cities in the world, and on the other hand, the statistics indicate the serious discrimination faced by ex-convicts, regarding employment. Going a step further, disabled people are constantly faced with the impossibility of using public transport, as well as taxi transport. Finally, these categories of persons do not have an adequate opportunity to express themselves and their creativity and artistic potential.
Therefore, we found a way to jointly address the mentioned challenges and came up with an integrated solution - opening a company for electric taxi vehicles, where the employees will be people who are ex-convicts, while the vehicles
will be adapted for disabled people, and the design of the vehicles will be provided by the same categories of people.
A special benefit of this project would be that, before being employed in the company, ex-convicts would be part of an appropriate program with professionals from different fields, which would enable not only adaptation to work in the taxi company, but the confirmation of the completed program would also mean " pass" for further and future employment.
Skopje is at the top of the list of the most polluted cities in the world, and on the other hand, the statistics indicate the serious discrimination faced by ex-convicts, regarding employment. Going a step further, disabled people are constantly faced with the impossibility of using public transport, as well as taxi transport. Finally, these categories of persons do not have an adequate opportunity to express themselves and their creativity and artistic potential.
Therefore, we found a way to jointly address the mentioned challenges and came up with an integrated solution - opening a company for electric taxi vehicles, where the employees will be people who are ex-convicts, while the vehicles
will be adapted for disabled people, and the design of the vehicles will be provided by the same categories of people.
A special benefit of this project would be that, before being employed in the company, ex-convicts would be part of an appropriate program with professionals from different fields, which would enable not only adaptation to work in the taxi company, but the confirmation of the completed program would also mean " pass" for further and future employment.
Key objectives for sustainability
Skopje as the capital is one of the most polluted cities in our country. The introduction of electric taxis will reduce pollution in many ways. So for example:
1. Zero Emission: Electric taxis produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they do not emit harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides or particulate matter into the air. This is in stark contrast to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles which contribute significantly to air pollution.
2. Improved air quality: By replacing conventional taxis with electric ones, you contribute to cleaner air in Skopje. Cleaner air leads to better health outcomes, as reduced air pollution can reduce the rate of respiratory diseases and other health problems associated with poor air quality.
3. Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Electric taxis produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts. This helps combat climate change and reduces the overall environmental impact of transportation in the city.
4. Reduced Noise Pollution: Electric taxis are quieter than traditional vehicles, as they lack the loud combustion engines. This leads to reduced noise pollution, creating a more peaceful and pleasant urban environment for residents.
5. Energy Efficiency: Electric taxis are highly energy-efficient, with a greater portion of the energy from the power grid converted into vehicle movement. This not only reduces pollution but also contributes to lower energy consumption in the city.
6. Public Awareness: Promoting your electric taxi service can help raise public awareness about the benefits of electric vehicles and the importance of reducing pollution in the city. This awareness can drive demand for cleaner transportation options.
1. Zero Emission: Electric taxis produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they do not emit harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides or particulate matter into the air. This is in stark contrast to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles which contribute significantly to air pollution.
2. Improved air quality: By replacing conventional taxis with electric ones, you contribute to cleaner air in Skopje. Cleaner air leads to better health outcomes, as reduced air pollution can reduce the rate of respiratory diseases and other health problems associated with poor air quality.
3. Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Electric taxis produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts. This helps combat climate change and reduces the overall environmental impact of transportation in the city.
4. Reduced Noise Pollution: Electric taxis are quieter than traditional vehicles, as they lack the loud combustion engines. This leads to reduced noise pollution, creating a more peaceful and pleasant urban environment for residents.
5. Energy Efficiency: Electric taxis are highly energy-efficient, with a greater portion of the energy from the power grid converted into vehicle movement. This not only reduces pollution but also contributes to lower energy consumption in the city.
6. Public Awareness: Promoting your electric taxi service can help raise public awareness about the benefits of electric vehicles and the importance of reducing pollution in the city. This awareness can drive demand for cleaner transportation options.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The key objectives of our project in terms of aesthetics and the quality of experience for people are as follows:
1. Accessibility and Inclusivity: We aim to create a transportation service that is accessible and inclusive for disabled persons. This is achieved through the design of our electric taxis, which feature ramps, spacious interiors, and secure seating.
2. Comfort and Convenience: We prioritize the comfort and convenience of all passengers by offering ergonomic seating, climate control, and entertainment options to enhance the overall journey.
3. Safety and Security: Our project places a strong emphasis on safety and security, with features such as robust seatbelts, clear emergency exits, and advanced driver-assistance systems.
4. Cultural Benefits and Social Integration: The employment of ex-convicts is a unique aspect of our project that contributes to cultural benefits by promoting social integration and reducing recidivism. We provide vocational training and rehabilitation programs to support the reintegration of ex-convicts into society.
5.Environmental Sustainability: Our electric taxis promote environmental sustainability by reducing emissions and lowering the carbon footprint. This aligns with the growing cultural emphasis on environmental responsibility.
By addressing these objectives, our project serves as an exemplary model that not only offers transportation services but also contributes to the well-being and enrichment of the community through inclusivity, rehabilitation, and environmental consciousness.
1. Accessibility and Inclusivity: We aim to create a transportation service that is accessible and inclusive for disabled persons. This is achieved through the design of our electric taxis, which feature ramps, spacious interiors, and secure seating.
2. Comfort and Convenience: We prioritize the comfort and convenience of all passengers by offering ergonomic seating, climate control, and entertainment options to enhance the overall journey.
3. Safety and Security: Our project places a strong emphasis on safety and security, with features such as robust seatbelts, clear emergency exits, and advanced driver-assistance systems.
4. Cultural Benefits and Social Integration: The employment of ex-convicts is a unique aspect of our project that contributes to cultural benefits by promoting social integration and reducing recidivism. We provide vocational training and rehabilitation programs to support the reintegration of ex-convicts into society.
5.Environmental Sustainability: Our electric taxis promote environmental sustainability by reducing emissions and lowering the carbon footprint. This aligns with the growing cultural emphasis on environmental responsibility.
By addressing these objectives, our project serves as an exemplary model that not only offers transportation services but also contributes to the well-being and enrichment of the community through inclusivity, rehabilitation, and environmental consciousness.
Key objectives for inclusion
The project meets the requirements in terms of inclusion, because it addresses the inclusion of categories of people who are seemingly forgotten by the competent entities, namely: ex-convicts and disabled people.
However, the essential benefit of this project is precisely in the fact that it tries to solve two key moments, namely:
1. Employment of ex-convicts
2. Mobility of disabled persons
As previously explained, the benefit is multi-directional, that is, after the implementation of the appropriate program, ex-convicts would get a secure opportunity for employment, and disabled people would get the opportunity to be transported from one place to another, given the adaptability of electric taxis .
However, the essential benefit of this project is precisely in the fact that it tries to solve two key moments, namely:
1. Employment of ex-convicts
2. Mobility of disabled persons
As previously explained, the benefit is multi-directional, that is, after the implementation of the appropriate program, ex-convicts would get a secure opportunity for employment, and disabled people would get the opportunity to be transported from one place to another, given the adaptability of electric taxis .
How Citizens benefit
The general public would benefit from the implementation of this project primarily because it is a taxi company that will provide exclusively electric taxi vehicles, which ultimately means: cleaner air, but also affordable prices for transportation.
The specific category of ex-convicts, apart from the general benefit, would also benefit from the aspect of reintegration, that is, secure employment, which could probably later serve as proof of their complete transformation.
The specific category of disabled people, apart from the general one, would benefit by providing them with transportation, which means that they will be able to move more easily from one place to another without hiring third parties.
At the same time, both specific categories of people will benefit by having a space to express their artistic abilities, which will again lead to an overall social benefit, that is, a benefit for the general citizenry.
In fact, it is discussing a project in which the benefits are cyclical, which means that the specific benefits for society are transferred to the specified categories of persons and vice versa.
The specific category of ex-convicts, apart from the general benefit, would also benefit from the aspect of reintegration, that is, secure employment, which could probably later serve as proof of their complete transformation.
The specific category of disabled people, apart from the general one, would benefit by providing them with transportation, which means that they will be able to move more easily from one place to another without hiring third parties.
At the same time, both specific categories of people will benefit by having a space to express their artistic abilities, which will again lead to an overall social benefit, that is, a benefit for the general citizenry.
In fact, it is discussing a project in which the benefits are cyclical, which means that the specific benefits for society are transferred to the specified categories of persons and vice versa.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
Our project is all about starting an electric taxi company that focuses on providing transportation for disabled individuals, and here's what makes it innovative compared to regular taxi services:
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Our main goal is to serve the needs of disabled people. Most taxi services don't pay as much attention to this important market.
Environmental Friendliness: We're using electric taxis, which not only reduces pollution but also aligns with the global push for eco-friendly transportation.
Second Chances: We're hiring ex-convicts as employees, giving them a fresh start. This isn't something you typically see in the taxi business.
Rehabilitation and Skill-Building: We're not just providing jobs; we're also helping our ex-convict employees learn new skills and reintegrate into society.
Diverse Workforce: By employing ex-convicts, we're promoting a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the transportation sector.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): We're showing a commitment to social and environmental responsibility, which is a big deal in today's world.
Unique Customer Experience: We're tailoring our service to meet the needs of disabled customers. It's a more personal and considerate experience compared to regular taxis.
Scalability: If this works in one place, we can replicate it in other communities. This means we can have a bigger impact and inspire others to do similar things.
Positive PR and Community Support: People are likely to notice and appreciate what we're doing. We're not just running a business; we're making a positive difference in people's lives.
So, our project is innovative because it combines inclusivity, eco-friendliness, social responsibility, and rehabilitation, setting it apart from traditional taxi services. It's all about making a positive impact and inspiring others to do the same.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Our main goal is to serve the needs of disabled people. Most taxi services don't pay as much attention to this important market.
Environmental Friendliness: We're using electric taxis, which not only reduces pollution but also aligns with the global push for eco-friendly transportation.
Second Chances: We're hiring ex-convicts as employees, giving them a fresh start. This isn't something you typically see in the taxi business.
Rehabilitation and Skill-Building: We're not just providing jobs; we're also helping our ex-convict employees learn new skills and reintegrate into society.
Diverse Workforce: By employing ex-convicts, we're promoting a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the transportation sector.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): We're showing a commitment to social and environmental responsibility, which is a big deal in today's world.
Unique Customer Experience: We're tailoring our service to meet the needs of disabled customers. It's a more personal and considerate experience compared to regular taxis.
Scalability: If this works in one place, we can replicate it in other communities. This means we can have a bigger impact and inspire others to do similar things.
Positive PR and Community Support: People are likely to notice and appreciate what we're doing. We're not just running a business; we're making a positive difference in people's lives.
So, our project is innovative because it combines inclusivity, eco-friendliness, social responsibility, and rehabilitation, setting it apart from traditional taxi services. It's all about making a positive impact and inspiring others to do the same.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Various professionals with their knowledge would be involved in the design and implementation of our project, namely:
1. Transportation and Urban Planning: Experts in transportation and urban planning playing a crucial role in designing the logistics of our electric taxi service. They are supposed to assess routes, traffic patterns, and accessibility considerations for persons with mobility issues.
2. Criminal Justice and Rehabilitation: Representatives from the criminal justice and rehabilitation fields are going to be instrumental in establishing our program to employ ex-prisoners. They should provide expertise in creating supportive environments, mentorship programs, and opportunities for skill development.
3. Automotive Engineering and Green Technology: Professionals in automotive engineering and green technology are going to be involved in the selection and customization of our electric vehicles. Their expertise should ensure that our fleet is optimized for sustainability and functionality.
4. Accessibility and Inclusive Design: Specialists in accessibility and inclusive design should collaborate to ensure that our taxis are equipped with features to accommodate persons with mobility issues. This includes ramp access, spacious interiors, and user-friendly interfaces.
5. Social Work and Psychologists: Social workers and psychologists are going to work closely with our ex-prisoner employees, providing support, counseling, and resources for their successful reintegration into society.
6. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Legal experts are going to ensure that our operations comply with all relevant regulations, especially those related to the employment of ex-prisoners and transportation services.
7. Sustainability and Environmental Science: Environmental scientists and sustainability experts to help us make informed decisions about our choice of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and overall environmental impact.
1. Transportation and Urban Planning: Experts in transportation and urban planning playing a crucial role in designing the logistics of our electric taxi service. They are supposed to assess routes, traffic patterns, and accessibility considerations for persons with mobility issues.
2. Criminal Justice and Rehabilitation: Representatives from the criminal justice and rehabilitation fields are going to be instrumental in establishing our program to employ ex-prisoners. They should provide expertise in creating supportive environments, mentorship programs, and opportunities for skill development.
3. Automotive Engineering and Green Technology: Professionals in automotive engineering and green technology are going to be involved in the selection and customization of our electric vehicles. Their expertise should ensure that our fleet is optimized for sustainability and functionality.
4. Accessibility and Inclusive Design: Specialists in accessibility and inclusive design should collaborate to ensure that our taxis are equipped with features to accommodate persons with mobility issues. This includes ramp access, spacious interiors, and user-friendly interfaces.
5. Social Work and Psychologists: Social workers and psychologists are going to work closely with our ex-prisoner employees, providing support, counseling, and resources for their successful reintegration into society.
6. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Legal experts are going to ensure that our operations comply with all relevant regulations, especially those related to the employment of ex-prisoners and transportation services.
7. Sustainability and Environmental Science: Environmental scientists and sustainability experts to help us make informed decisions about our choice of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and overall environmental impact.
Methodology used
Our project aims to create an inclusive and sustainable mobility solution that caters to the unique needs of two marginalized communities: ex-prisoners seeking reintegration into society and persons with mobility issues. The methodology employed a multi-dimensional approach that focused on several key pillars:
1. Needs Assessment and Stakeholder Engagement:
Conducting extensive surveys and interviews with persons with mobility issues, ex-prisoners, and relevant stakeholders to understand their specific challenges and requirements.
2. Customized Vehicle Design with User Input:
Collaborating closely with persons from the mobility-impaired community and ex-prisoners to incorporate their perspectives in the design process.
4. Green Technology Integration for Fresh Air:
Partnering with experts in green technology to select and optimize electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and energy management systems.
5. Ex-Prisoner Rehabilitation Program:
Establishing a comprehensive rehabilitation program in collaboration with experts in criminal justice and rehabilitation. This program includes job training, mentorship, counseling, and skill development to support the successful reintegration of ex-prisoners into the workforce.
6. Accessibility Infrastructure and Technology:
Working with urban planners and technology specialists to identify and implement accessible pick-up/drop-off points, as well as integrate digital tools for seamless booking and communication, ensuring a user-friendly experience for all passengers.
7. Compliance and Legal Framework:
Engaging legal advisors to navigate the complex regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance with all relevant employment laws, transportation regulations, and accessibility standards.
8. Community Outreach and Awareness:
Conducting targeted outreach campaigns to raise awareness about our service within the local communities, emphasizing the social impact and benefits.
1. Needs Assessment and Stakeholder Engagement:
Conducting extensive surveys and interviews with persons with mobility issues, ex-prisoners, and relevant stakeholders to understand their specific challenges and requirements.
2. Customized Vehicle Design with User Input:
Collaborating closely with persons from the mobility-impaired community and ex-prisoners to incorporate their perspectives in the design process.
4. Green Technology Integration for Fresh Air:
Partnering with experts in green technology to select and optimize electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and energy management systems.
5. Ex-Prisoner Rehabilitation Program:
Establishing a comprehensive rehabilitation program in collaboration with experts in criminal justice and rehabilitation. This program includes job training, mentorship, counseling, and skill development to support the successful reintegration of ex-prisoners into the workforce.
6. Accessibility Infrastructure and Technology:
Working with urban planners and technology specialists to identify and implement accessible pick-up/drop-off points, as well as integrate digital tools for seamless booking and communication, ensuring a user-friendly experience for all passengers.
7. Compliance and Legal Framework:
Engaging legal advisors to navigate the complex regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance with all relevant employment laws, transportation regulations, and accessibility standards.
8. Community Outreach and Awareness:
Conducting targeted outreach campaigns to raise awareness about our service within the local communities, emphasizing the social impact and benefits.
How stakeholders are engaged
As the project is in the idea stage, we do not currently have specific stakeholders involved.
However, we have a clear objective, which means a list of potential stakeholders.
This includes:
1. Company owners: full involvement in every aspect.
2. Employees: the ex-prisoners who work as drivers, as well as other staff members involved in various roles (management, administration, and maintenance).
3. Customers: initially refers to people who would use taxi services, with special emphasis on people with mobility problems.
4. Suppliers: providers of electric vehicles, charging equipment, vehicle maintenance services, and other necessary resources.
5. Regulators and Agencies: authorities responsible for overseeing and regulating transportation services.
5. Advocacy Groups, NGOs and Environmental Organizations: representing persons with mobility issues or those focused on prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration into society, and groups concerned with sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions.
6. Local Communities: Residents and businesses in the areas where the company operates.
7. Media and Public Opinion: Journalists, bloggers, and influencers who cover or have an interest in the company's operations and its social impact initiatives.
8. Financial Institutions: financial organizations that provide financial services to the company.
9. Technology Partners: Companies or organizations that provide the technology infrastructure, software, and systems necessary for the operation of the electric taxis.
10. Legal Advisors and Consultants: firms, advisors, and consultants who provide legal guidance on various aspects of the business.
11. Insurance Providers: Companies that offer insurance coverage for the company's vehicles, employees, and operations.
12. Transportation Authorities: Entities responsible for overseeing and regulating public transportation services, which may have an interest in the company's operations.
However, we have a clear objective, which means a list of potential stakeholders.
This includes:
1. Company owners: full involvement in every aspect.
2. Employees: the ex-prisoners who work as drivers, as well as other staff members involved in various roles (management, administration, and maintenance).
3. Customers: initially refers to people who would use taxi services, with special emphasis on people with mobility problems.
4. Suppliers: providers of electric vehicles, charging equipment, vehicle maintenance services, and other necessary resources.
5. Regulators and Agencies: authorities responsible for overseeing and regulating transportation services.
5. Advocacy Groups, NGOs and Environmental Organizations: representing persons with mobility issues or those focused on prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration into society, and groups concerned with sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions.
6. Local Communities: Residents and businesses in the areas where the company operates.
7. Media and Public Opinion: Journalists, bloggers, and influencers who cover or have an interest in the company's operations and its social impact initiatives.
8. Financial Institutions: financial organizations that provide financial services to the company.
9. Technology Partners: Companies or organizations that provide the technology infrastructure, software, and systems necessary for the operation of the electric taxis.
10. Legal Advisors and Consultants: firms, advisors, and consultants who provide legal guidance on various aspects of the business.
11. Insurance Providers: Companies that offer insurance coverage for the company's vehicles, employees, and operations.
12. Transportation Authorities: Entities responsible for overseeing and regulating public transportation services, which may have an interest in the company's operations.
Global challenges
The global challenges addressed in our project are: environmental care, unemployment, inclusion and space for creativity.
Although seemingly the challenges seem far from each other, this approach aims to prove that the mentioned pilot project can achieve multiple goals simultaneously.
So, on the one hand, the problem of polluted air in the capital would begin to be solved, and on the other hand, employment would be made possible for a category of people who, in principle, are discriminated against on the occasion of employment, that is, although the goal is resocialization, they are not provided with a specific reintegration. Furthermore, since electric taxis will be adapted for people with mobility problems, inclusivity will be ensured, which means that these people will be able to use transportation just like any other person. The fact that it would be possible to make different designs of the vehicle itself by these categories of persons would allow not only room for creativity, but also an additional way of earning not only for the persons who will be employed and use the services, but also for all those who belong to these categories of persons, but are not directly involved in the functioning of the company.
Although seemingly the challenges seem far from each other, this approach aims to prove that the mentioned pilot project can achieve multiple goals simultaneously.
So, on the one hand, the problem of polluted air in the capital would begin to be solved, and on the other hand, employment would be made possible for a category of people who, in principle, are discriminated against on the occasion of employment, that is, although the goal is resocialization, they are not provided with a specific reintegration. Furthermore, since electric taxis will be adapted for people with mobility problems, inclusivity will be ensured, which means that these people will be able to use transportation just like any other person. The fact that it would be possible to make different designs of the vehicle itself by these categories of persons would allow not only room for creativity, but also an additional way of earning not only for the persons who will be employed and use the services, but also for all those who belong to these categories of persons, but are not directly involved in the functioning of the company.
Learning transferred to other parties
In fact, all elements of this project can be implemented in other places, not only at the national level, but also at the international level.
Included here are: the methodology, technology, processes, products, learning that would be part of the project if it were to be implemented.
This means that by properly adapting the methodology, technology, processes, product and learning, they can be beneficial to the wider society.
Namely, addressing the problem is not in the sense that it should be addressed only at the local level, but on the contrary, space is left for it to be transferred to other places, and to be implemented in an appropriate manner.
Thus, since it is essentially a global challenge (unemployment, mobility and the possibility of creativity of ex-convicts and disabled persons), if the project is implemented, we would like to expand it.
Included here are: the methodology, technology, processes, products, learning that would be part of the project if it were to be implemented.
This means that by properly adapting the methodology, technology, processes, product and learning, they can be beneficial to the wider society.
Namely, addressing the problem is not in the sense that it should be addressed only at the local level, but on the contrary, space is left for it to be transferred to other places, and to be implemented in an appropriate manner.
Thus, since it is essentially a global challenge (unemployment, mobility and the possibility of creativity of ex-convicts and disabled persons), if the project is implemented, we would like to expand it.
Keywords
Electric Taxis
Reintegration
Inclusion
Creativness
Psychological support
