The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, hosted 11 FIA Mobility Clubs from across Eastern and Central Europe for the first seminar of the UNITAR-powered FIA Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme in the region. 

According to the World Health Organization, road traffic fatalities in the European Region have seen the largest reduction worldwide since 2010, falling by 36%.i Despite this reduction, the European Commission has highlighted Eastern Europe as having the highest number of fatalities per million inhabitants in the region,ii underlining the need for continued action for road users.  

Developed by the FIA, in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and with the support of the FIA Foundation, the FIA Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programme aims to support local authorities and organisations with training, mentorship, and evidence-based actions to develop concrete projects that improve road safety for everyone.  

This is an important expansion of Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life into the Eastern and Central European region following previous successful launches with FIA Member Clubs across the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions.

Delivered through a mix of in-person seminars, online learning and mentorship, this FIA University initiative brings FIA Member Clubs and government authorities together to build capacity, learn side by side, and develop practical road safety projects that drive meaningful change with guidance from international experts. 

Sessions introduced the Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme and the importance of collaboration with multiple stakeholders and industries to implement road safety improvements for road users. Attendees also heard from global experts on the fundamentals of the Safe Systems Approach and the priorities for European cities working towards ‘Vision Zero’.  

Delegates from 11 FIA Region I Coordination Forum for Eastern and Central European Clubs (COFO) Member Clubs took part in the workshop ahead of the FIA Region I Spring Meeting, representing road users from across the region including: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Kosovo, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia. 

FIA Senate President Carmelo Sanz de Barros said: “With its expansion to Eastern and Central Europe, the FIA Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life programme demonstrates our continued support for Member Clubs with the skills and partnerships needed to deliver measurable progress and save lives on the road.  

“Through this initiative, we hope to foster collaboration across borders, empowering our Member Clubs to turn global best practice into successful local action.” 

FIA Region I COFO Chair Jan Šťovíček said: “Eastern and Central Europe faces unique road safety challenges, and addressing them requires a collective, region-specific approach.  

“By bringing Clubs together, we can create a network for collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility to find solutions for road users across our region.” 

Director of UNITAR’s Division for People and Social Development Alex Mejía said:  “Safe mobility ultimately comes down people, those who design and implement road safety infrastructure and policy, and the road users who interact with it every day. 

“By introducing an integrated and practical understanding of road safety and the unique needs of road users, this initiative supports participants in developing approaches that deliver lasting results.”