ΝΕΑ από Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety

NGO ACTION FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE GLOBAL PLAN FOR THE DECADE OF ACTION  The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 will be officially launched on 28 October 2021. This is an important advocacy opportunity for NGOs. The Alliance is supporting its members to make the most of the launch through a coordinated activity to hand over the Global Plan to the decision makers who are accountable for road safety in their countries. Read more HERE. On 6 October 2021 at 14:00 CEST the Alliance will host a walkthrough of the Global Plan. Nhan Tran, WHO, will talk through the main features of the Plan and we will explore how NGOs can use the launch and the handover activity to further their ongoing advocacy. Register HERE.

MEANINGFUL NGO PARTICIPATION The Alliance's new Good Practice Guide on Meaningful NGO Participation in the Field of Road Safety, defines meaningful participation as: “When NGOs participate in a decision-making space on behalf of the communities they represent and in a way that leads to actions that result in the reductions (and possibly ultimately elimination) of deaths, serious injuries and related psychological suffering from road crashes.” The guide, which was launched this week, is based on survey and interview data from 100 Alliance members. It is a practical resource for NGOs and other civil society advocates describing steps that they can take to position themselves more effectively with their governments and to get their voices included in decision making. “Meaningful participation is a central and necessary tool for NGOs to maximize their impact,” said Lotte Brondum, Executive Director of the Alliance. “This is how the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 will be achieved.”   Read the guide HERE and watch the launch event HERE. Find some key extracts from the guide BELOW.

SEVEN QUALITIES OF MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION The guide identified seven qualities commonly exhibited by NGOs that have been successful in participating with their decision makers in a meaningful way.  Use data and evidence Communicate smartly Build track record Leverage political systems and opportunities Focus on positive impacts for communities Demonstrate credibility Build effective relationships and collaborations

MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN ACTION: TAKING A VISION ZERO LEAD IN CANADA The Good Practice Guide on Meaningful NGO Participation includes several case studies from NGOs around the world, each highlighting elements of the seven themes above. In Canada, Parachute demonstrates how building a track record attracts meaningful participation. It has positioned itself as a national leader on Vision Zero, an integrated approach to road safety that deems that no fatality or serious injury resulting from a road crash is acceptable. Through the Parachute Vision Zero Collection Tools, it supports and informs Canadian road safety authorities at national and municipality levels to adopt the Vision Zero approach in order to accelerate reductions in road deaths and serious injuries. Read more on page 12 of the guide HERE.

MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN ACTION: ADDRESSING POLICE CORRUPTION IN KYRGYZSTAN Growing public demand to eliminate police corruption in Kyrgyzstan enabled Road Safety NGO to partner with another organization, Public Association Civil Union, to push forward police reform. The case study highlights how focusing on positive impacts for communities has enabled meaningful participation.  A pilot project, conducted by Road Safety NGO in the capital city Bishtek, contributed to the formation of a dedicated police patrol unit. To reduce corruption and incentivize traffic officers to enforce traffic laws through the system, bonuses were introduced, leading to 17.1% of fines revenue being returned as bonus payments. A 2020 online poll and analysis published by For Reforms Civil Organization found that 40% of respondents welcomed the reforms that had been implemented. Enforcement of traffic violations increased by 41.5% in the first five months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, suggesting a reduced level of corruption following the creation of the new police patrol department. Read more on page 14 of the guide HERE.

MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION CHECKLIST To help NGOs assess and enhance their meaningful participation, the guide includes a checklist based on the features of successful meaningful participation. It covers aspects including professionalism and credibility, communication, evidence base, and outreach. The checklist is not a one-off set of questions, but can be used to monitor the changing strengths and weaknesses of an NGO’s participation and make adjustments to fine-tune impact. Find the checklist HERE.

#LOVE30 PROGRESS: SENEGAL SCHOOL ZONE LAW TAKES NEXT STEP Momentum continues to grow for 30 km/h limits in areas where people and vehicles mix. In Senegal, a draft of a national law for 30 km/h limits around school zones has been adopted by the Council of Ministers. The draft law will now be introduced to parliament to be voted on. LASER International has been advocating for the new law. Read more HERE.

ALLIANCE WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS AND FRIENDS The Alliance is delighted to welcome the new members and Friends of the Alliance that joined us recently.  Full members: R-Safe Charitable Trust, India VHEEDU, India Associate members: Asociación de Motociclistas Voluntarios Unidos por Guatemala, Guatemala Friends of the Alliance: Gabriel Kardos, Johnson & Johnson Read more about our new members and Friends of the Alliance HERE and read more about joining the Alliance HERE.