The eFTI4EU project took part in the Regional Workshop “Stakeholder Engagement in the eFTI Ecosystem Development: Lessons from eFTI4EU, eFTI4ALL and Other Regional Initiatives,” organised by project partner Transport Innovation Association (TIA) in collaboration with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).
The event, held in Vilnius on October 17, brought together representatives from public authorities, logistics associations, IT providers, and research organisations from across Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, and the Western Balkans. It served as a dynamic platform for cross-border cooperation and mutual learning, bridging more advanced EU Member States with Western Balkan economies that are now beginning their journey toward implementing the electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Regulation.
From Experience to Action
Throughout the day, speakers and experts shared concrete experiences and national practices drawn from ongoing European initiatives:
- MC Baltics presented insights from eFTI4EU and eFTI4ALL, highlighting how structured stakeholder engagement and policy alignment underpin successful eFTI deployment.
- The Digital Logistics Centre of Excellence (Estonia) showcased the ongoing EU eFTI corridor pilot, testing paperless cross-border exchanges between Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
- Lithuania’s progress toward establishing its national eFTI Gate under the Economic Recovery and Resilience Programme was presented by the State Tax Inspectorate and Insoft, setting a strong example for how Member States can align national systems with EU standards.
- Discussions also explored the integration of eFTI and eCMR, as well as a regional assessment of eFTI readiness across the six Western Balkans economies, outlining steps for harmonisation with EU rules by 2027.
eFTI4EU Supporting Regional Knowledge Exchange
The Vilnius workshop marked an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between eFTI4EU and the eFTI4WB (eFTI for Western Balkans) project. This onsite visit, facilitated by eFTI4EU, aimed to share lessons learned, practical insights, and technical know-how gathered through pilots and policy dialogues within EU Member States.
By enabling direct interaction between technical teams and policymakers, the meeting helped accelerate capacity building and knowledge transfer — essential steps to ensure that Western Balkan countries can align with the EU’s digital transport framework and benefit from a truly interoperable, paperless logistics ecosystem.
