ASOCIACION CLUSTER DE MOVILIDAD Y LOGISTICA DE EUSKADI

Their core work

MLC-ITS Euskadi is the Basque Country's mobility and logistics cluster association, connecting transport companies, technology providers, and public bodies to drive innovation in intelligent transport systems. They specialize in facilitating cooperative ITS deployment, intermodal mobility solutions, and smart logistics across European cities and ports. As a cluster organization, their core function is bridging SMEs with larger innovation ecosystems — helping smaller firms access cross-border value chains in transport, maritime, and urban mobility sectors.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), MLC-ITS Euskadi focused squarely on cooperative intelligent transport systems — testing intermodal solutions for people and goods across European cities (BONVOYAGE, CIMEC, C-MobILE). From 2020 onward, their scope broadened significantly into digital urban transformation (AI, big data, co-creation via URBANITE) and maritime blue economy value chains (smart ports, maritime surveillance via GALATEA). This shift signals a deliberate move from pure transport infrastructure toward data-driven smart mobility and cross-sectoral innovation brokering.

They are evolving from a transport-focused cluster into a broader smart mobility and blue economy innovation broker, increasingly incorporating AI and data analytics into their portfolio.

How they like to work

MLC-ITS Euskadi participates exclusively as a partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for cluster associations whose role is to mobilize their member SMEs rather than lead technical work packages. With 85 unique partners across 17 countries in just 6 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia and connect widely rather than working repeatedly with the same groups. This makes them a valuable network node: they bring access to Basque industrial SMEs and can help consortium builders reach into Spain's northern industrial ecosystem.

Broad European network spanning 85 partners across 17 countries, built through six large consortia. Their geographic reach is notably wide for an organization of their size, reflecting their role as a cross-border innovation connector rooted in the Basque Country.

What sets them apart

MLC-ITS Euskadi sits at the intersection of transport, maritime, and digital innovation — a rare combination among cluster organizations. Their position in the Basque Country gives them direct access to one of Spain's strongest industrial and logistics corridors (Bilbao port, advanced manufacturing). For consortium builders, they offer a two-for-one value: cluster management expertise for SME mobilization plus genuine technical grounding in ITS and smart mobility.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GALATEA
  Their largest project (EUR 533K) and a strategic pivot — combining blue economy, smart ports, and cross-sectoral SME value chains in a single initiative.
• URBANITE
  Marks their entry into AI and big data for urban decision-making, signaling a shift from infrastructure-focused ITS toward data-driven smart city solutions.
• BONVOYAGE
  Early flagship connecting Bilbao to Oslo with intermodal mobility solutions for both people and goods — demonstrates their pan-European logistics scope.