Budva, Montenegro - UNITAR in collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and support from the FIA Foundation, launched the Central and Eastern Europe edition of the Safe Mobility for All and For Life (SM4A4L) initiative. SM4A4L aims to equip FIA automobile clubs and local authorities with training, mentorship, and evidence-based actions to develop concrete projects that improve road safety for everyone.
Road safety progress across Europe remains uneven. According to the European Commission , challenges for Central and Eastern Europe are high fatality rates, infrastructure gaps, and risks for vulnerable road users.
The kick-off session held on 20 April 2026 in Budva, Montenegro brought together representatives of 14 automobile clubs from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Kosovo, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Ukraine, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, and Slovenia.
Expert-led discussions with representatives from UNITAR, the International Road Assessment Programme (iRap) Safer Journeys in Europe , and Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) reinforced alignment with the Vision Zero framework, focusing on reducing fatalities and road user risks through safer system design.
Peer-to-peer exchanges to share experiences and lessons learned were also facilitated. Participants initiated project proposals development in line with local needs by:
Mapping national authorities and local stakeholders for implementation
Identifying priority areas
Establishing monitoring and evaluation frameworks
About the Safe Mobility for All and for Life Initiative
The SM4A4L Initiative is a comprehensive training programme delivered through:
56 training modules on a dedicated virtual learning platform
Face-to-Face project design workshops
Mentorship Programme
Project development and implementation
