We’re excited to share about what we believe will be an exciting collaboration between Zarika and a group of young changemakers. One of them, Nia Kasrelishvili, wrote an article about how it all started, so without further ado – learn how the youth will empower sustainable travel through the SusTravel project.
Innovation Station is a yearly social entrepreneurship competition that is organized by the Better Community Club at the American University in Bulgaria. This inspiring event brings together young changemakers, mentors, and experts to find solutions for different social issues. In 2025, it took place from February 28 to March 2 in Blagoevgrad and included twelve teams working on various social problems.
The Challenge
Among the participants was a passionate team of five Georgian students who received the challenge to focus on Sustainable Transportation. From Friday evening till Sunday morning, they dedicated their time and creativity to find a meaningful solution to one of today’s most important environmental issues. After hours of brainstorming and researching their answer came in the form of an innovative mobile application – SusTravel.
Unsustainable transportation causes traffic jams, more air pollution, and serious harm to the environment. In 2022 alone, 18% of Bulgaria’s total greenhouse gas emissions came from transportation. A major barrier to sustainable travel is a lack of awareness and a sense of helplessness, especially among youth.
The Solution
SusTravel is a prototype mobile application designed to motivate people to adopt sustainable travel habits such as walking, cycling, and using public transportation. What sets SusTravel apart is its reward-based system: users earn points by walking or cycling, which can then be exchanged for vouchers, discounts, and exclusive offers from eco-conscious sponsors.
Here’s a closer look at the app’s key features:
- Welcome Page: Introduces users to the app and includes an AI assistant – Alina to answer questions and provide information about sustainable travel.
- Sign Up / Log In & My Account: Tracks user activity, shows earned points, and connects with friends for shared travel experiences – reducing carbon emissions through group travel.
- Special Offers: Partner businesses gain visibility and an eco-friendly brand image by offering rewards to users.
- Sharing Is Caring Game: Encourages users to complete walking or biking challenges based on map tasks to earn bonus points.
- Statistics & Impact: In a survey of 250 students, 92% said they would download SusTravel, and 72% said they would use it long-term – proving its potential to create lasting change.
To raise awareness about SusTravel, the team plans to start with university outreach, using posters and social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Sponsorships and referral rewards (like bonus points for inviting friends) will help boost user engagement. The team also plans to run small giveaways and competitions to build traction.
The Team
The development of SusTravel was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of five committed team members:
- Anamaria – Head of Front-End Development
- Amiko – Head of Back-End Development
- Irakli – Lead on Research & Statistics
- Luka – Chief of Finance
- Nia – Head of Writing & Research
Thanks to Drago and Bobby, their mentors, for their guidance and support throughout the competition. And of course, gratitude goes to Zarika, the case provider, for this amazing opportunity, and to the Better Community Club for organizing such an inspiring event.
Though just a prototype for now, SusTravel is a promising solution to encourage greener habits in the digital age. With continued development, community support, and the backing of like-minded sponsors, this app has the potential to make sustainable travel not just a goal – but a daily lifestyle. Stay tuned as SusTravel continues its journey to make every step count – for you, and for the planet.
If you want to support us on this journey, or you’re intrested to know more or be involved, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!