Public Participation in Developing a Common Framework for the Assessment and Management of Sustainable Innovation

Glossary

Permalink of this case: https://www.futuresdiamond.com/casi2020/casipedia/cases/1165

International (Eastern Europe and the Balkans) web platform for carpool based in Bulgaria

Aha! Car is the Eastern Europe International web platform for carpool. The platform works in four languages, namely Bulgarian, Greek, Serbian and English. It has all the security tools and many other features. Using it, one can learn about upcoming concerts and festivals in the Balkans region, make new friends, publish and participate in shared travel. Aha!Car makes carpool accessible, safe and enjoyable. A trip is “shared” when a driver provides transportation to one or more passengers and none of the participants has a financial gain. The company is a community-powered collaborative consumption start-up.

www.ahacar.com

Related sector

  • J - Information and communication
  • Q - Human health and social work activities
  • R - Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • S - Other services activities

SI Lead organisation

Aha Car Ltd. - Civil society ( Community / Social enterprise )

ahacar.com

SI Scope

Bulgaria
( Greece, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia )

SI Process

Start Date: March 2013 End Date: November 2013

Start Date: December 2013 End Date: Ongoing

Start Date: December 2013 End Date: Ongoing

Link to H2020 SI Priorities

  • Climate action by sustainable lifestyle
  • Eco-solutions to reduce raw materials use
  • ICT systems improving resource efficiency

SI Type

  • Social (incl. behavioural) - The SI case nominated represents a new community-powered collaborative consumption start-up.
  • Organisational / Business model - The innovation practically introduces a new communal transportation platform. (Events attendance planning or any other such activities as added value.)
  • System - A new form of sharing, planning and organizing.

SI Objectives

  • Reducing environmental impact of traveling
  • Employing ICT for solving over consumption and transportation related challenges of modern societies
  • Realizing a sustainable business model – business that is simultaneously good for the environment and economically sound.

SI Origin

The platform’s team is composed by proved professionals from different spheres and was formed around their true belief in the idea. By having more people using one vehicle, carpooling reduces each person’s travel costs such as fuel costs, tolls, and the stress of driving. Carpooling is seen as a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way to travel as sharing journeys reduces carbon emissions, traffic congestion on the roads, and the need for parking spaces.

SI Factors of success

  • Economic - Carpooling saves money to the users
  • Environmental - Having fewer cars on the road means reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and improved air quality.
  • Social - Carpooling offers a commuter option that may work better than other methods of transportation. This business model offers increased opportunities for socialization.

Sources

  • Primary - The information is gathered as a result of the direct contacts and cooperation with the lead company.