The COR Challenge turns ideas into concrete solutions to address climate impacts on public transport.
The ACCESS Project plays a central role in advancing innovative solutions for urban mobility in Rio de Janeiro by enabling the 8th COR Challenge, an initiative led by the City of Rio’s Operations and Resilience Center (COR-Rio). The initiative brings together efforts to strengthen public transport systems in the face of climate change impacts, with a particular focus on adapting to extreme weather events.
Coordinated by UNEP and funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), ACCESS supports the development of practical solutions that make transport systems more resilient, efficient, and prepared for climate crisis scenarios. Within the context of the challenge, the project contributes directly through funding, institutional coordination, and technical support, fostering collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector.
Innovative solutions advance with ACCESS support
Four projects — Rihanna, Busvision, VAMO, and FADAF — have advanced to the acceleration phase following an immersion process at COR-Rio. Now, with a grant of BRL 10,000 each and specialized technical support, the teams are developing prototypes aimed at improving bus operations during events such as heavy rainfall and flooding.
This phase includes mentorship, access to strategic data, and engagement with experts, creating the conditions for real-world application. ACCESS acts as a catalyst in this process, ensuring that proposals are aligned with international standards for sustainability and innovation.
Climate resilience as a priority
The challenge focuses on “Public transport and extreme climate events,” reflecting the urgent need for cities to adapt to climate change. In this context, ACCESS promotes structural transformation in the mobility sector by supporting solutions that enhance service continuity, user safety, and operational efficiency.
From prototype to implementation
The projects will be presented at Demo Day, scheduled for May 30, when a new round of evaluations will determine which initiatives will move on to the incubation phase. Selected solutions may be integrated into COR-Rio’s operations and later replicated in other urban contexts. By supporting the entire cycle, from ideation to potential implementation, ACCESS reinforces its role as a driver of innovation and scalability in sustainable urban mobility solutions.
Partnerships strengthen the project’s impact
The COR Challenge brings together key stakeholders, including the City of Rio, UFRJ, PUC-Rio, ITDP Brazil, Instituto Talanoa, Instituto Decodifica, and ABMEN, along with support from companies such as Moovit and Onbus. This collaborative network is strengthened by ACCESS, which promotes integration and knowledge sharing across sectors.
Innovation for more resilient cities
By supporting initiatives like the COR Challenge, the ACCESS Project directly contributes to building smarter and more resilient cities. Its role goes beyond funding: it is about driving concrete solutions to urban mobility challenges in a climate change context, with the potential to generate lasting impact in Brazil and beyond.
