24 July 2024
Dear FEVR members, friends and colleagues,
Visualise an umbrella. It can protect us from rain or strong rays of the sun. It can be used by one person or a group. Thus, in addition to providing protection, it may also serve the function of connecting people. I see FEVR as an umbrella. A central connection between organizations with similar missions, visions, values, goals, and fields of work. Even though each one is creative, independent and unique. We come from diverse national, economic and cultural, backgrounds. What connects us is something we never thought would happen to us, our loved ones, or to others close to us.
Where pain has been replaced by love, respect, and the desire to do good, every individual who knocks on the organization’s door is welcome. It is not just about providing support and education; it is also about listening, learning to receive support and education from others, while always respecting differences. This is what I wish for the elected members of the FEVR Board, the organizations that elected them to this mandate, and for all FEVR members.
Volunteering is a gift, and because I know exactly why I want to donate my time, knowledge, and experience, it was easier for me to decide to accept the role of FEVR President. We will only be successful to the extent that each of us is willing to focus more on the question, ‘What am I prepared to give to FEVR?’ rather than, ‘What do I expect to get from FEVR?’
Therefore, I believe we will give FEVR the best of ourselves, as it deserves this due to its 34-year established and prominent history of working at the international level. The least we can do is to provide a clear and united voice on behalf of all those affected by serious road traffic crashes by: speaking up for their rights; by insisting on the establishment of societal support systems, and the creation of activities that will reduce the negative impact of roads in the future,which, unfortunately, we have experienced ourselves. The Vision Zero goal is therefore the only ethical and fitting goal for our society.
Support us by sharing your wisdom, knowledge, talents, and abilities. Your support of us is also support for yourselves.
Thank you,
Robert Štaba
FEVR President
FEVR NEWS
New domain and new email address
With the EU registration initiated by the previous Board, FEVR is now entering the new social environment of NGOs within the EU. This new beginning brings new recognition on social networks. Please introduce your colleagues, friends, and organizations to our new address.
Website: www.fevr.ngo
Email: info@fevr.ngo
FEVR social networks:
WDoR social networks:
The decision of the new FEVR Board is that the passwords for all FEVR accounts owned by FEVR will be stored with a professional communications company. Upon request by the FEVR General Assembly or the new Board, they will be immediately provided or transferred.
BOARD NEWS
At the General Assembly, former President Mr. Filippo Randi and external expert Mr. Sergi Burrull presented the initiation of the development of FEVR's Mission, Vision, Values, Strategy and Action Plan. We have decided to continue our collaboration and activities moving forward. FEVR members also expressed the values they wish to see within the FEVR family, including transparency and accountability. We aspire for our voluntary work to be visible, open, and transparent. The delegates of the organizations you have proposed are actively co-creating the mission entrusted to us at FEVR.
For specific complex tasks, we will collaborate with individual experts. Currently:
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retired judge Mr. Rolf Krücker, board member of the German organisation Verkehrsunfall-Opferhilfe Deutschland (VOD), is advising us on the legal and bureaucratic procedures for the final registration of FEVR in Brussels.
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Mr. Sergi Burrull is assisting with the FEVR system documents.
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Mrs. Kaja Kobal is assisting with administrative matters as a project manager (already worked in FEVR from 2017 to 2021).
All are volunteering their services.
Contact us:
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Robert Štaba, President
Contact: president@fevr.ngo
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Wulf Hoffman, Treasurer and Vice President - Area of responsibility: Law, Finance, Fundraising
Contact: wulf.hoffman@fevr.ngo
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Katarzyna Dobrzanska-Junco, Vice President - Area of responsibility: Advocacy, FEVR members, WDoR project, International cooperation and activities
Contact: katarzyna.dobrzanska@fevr.ngo
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Tsampika-Rafaela Moustaka - Area of responsibility: FEVR Youth, Prevention and Campaigns
Contact: tsampika.moustaka@fevr.ngo
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David Frost - Area of responsibility: Communication and PR,Victim Support, Fundraising
Contact: david.frost@fevr.ngo
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Montse Montal Gibert - Area of responsibility: Strategy Development and Planning, Administration and Management
Contact: montse.montal@fevr.ngo
More information about the board members can be found here.
Board activities:
MEMBERS TO MEMBERS
In this section, we aim to showcase examples of best practices. These can include projects being implemented within your organizations, projects carried out in collaboration with other FEVR members or organizations, or projects that can be jointly submitted for various international and other funding opportunities.
One such project is the Erasmus+ project Slow city, which P(A)T and Zavod Varna pot completed in 2023 and will continue to build upon in the future.
The primary objective of Slow City is to reduce the maximum speed to 30 km on the streets of our cities. But at the same time it seeks to lower the pace of society and that we can count on quality time to achieve a healthier life. Thus, both on the streets and in other areas of our lives, we will suffer less stress and live together in peace.
The Great Expedition of Fiat 126p 2024: The representatives of several generations of Polish and international successes, have set again a common goal – to travel by classic FIAT126p from Bielsko-Biała to Monte Cassino, to help children, victims of road crashes, call attention to the importance of post-crash care as well as importance of road safety improvement – and the project is becoming already international.
The Great Expedition of Fiat 126p 2024 is a great event in which among others Polish motorsport champions, its legends and young enthusiasts, a total of 80 crews, among them: Sobiesław Zasada, rally driver, master of sport and life, legendary, most titled Polish rally driver, model and inspiration for many generations of Poles; Longin Bielak, rally driver, 21-time champion and vice-champion of Poland; Rafał Sonik, rally driver, winner of 9 world cups and 14-time medalist and Dakar Rally winner, Kajetan Kajetanowicz, rally driver, multiple world rally vice-champion, three-time European champion and four-time Polish champion and Bartosz Ostalowski, drifter, the only professional in the world sports driver who drives with his foot. On July , together with 80 crews, they set off from Bielsko-Biała and went to Monte Cassino and back, by Fiat 126 p. In 2023 they went by fiats to Monte Carlo, this year they decided to honor polish soldiers died in Monte Cassino battle.
FEVR board member and head of Malopolska Road Safety Council – Katarzyna Dobrzańska-Junco – took part in the press conference in Warsaw announcing the project, as well as grand final in main square in Cracow. Together with all the official partners. FEVR is supporting the project with its patronage and honorary patronage of MInistry of Infrastructure and many other organizations aimed at motorsport and safety.
Video available here.
Note: Currently, FEVR is not yet able to apply for projects as we are missing the basic NGO registrations. This task is under way and has been entrusted to the Vice President Wulf Hoffmann.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
In this section, we aim to showcase various international activities that may be of interest to FEVR members. This task and coordination of WDoR activities have been entrusted to the Vice President Katarzyna Dobrzanska-Junco. As part of the international WDOR project, she has mandated to work with other organizations to develop a model of mutual collaboration, respect, and the search for common solutions and approaches. Joint guidelines for the WDOR social media campaign are also in preparation.
- FEVR member on EU Road Safety Exchange
There are important differences in the road safety performance of the different EU member states. The EU Road Safety Exchange project aims to help tackle these disparities, linking up transport experts to exchange knowledge and good practice. Road safety professionals from the participating countries work together to share best practices on reducing speed, building safe infrastructure and improving enforcement and data collection, as well as the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas. The nine countries supported during this phase of the project are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal and Romania. FEVR board member from Poland is also the participant of the program, taking part in the exchange, working on prevention area– mainly education, as well as enforcement. EU Road Safety Exchange is funded by the European Parliament and led by the European Commission. The project is managed by ETSC on behalf of the European Commission.
Watch video.
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UN Road Safety Collaboration NY
June 13th - FEVR forms integral part of UN Road Safety Collaboration group. The members have been cooperating together for road safety improvement as well as post-crash and commemorations of World Day of Remembrance for over 20 years. Last meeting of the group took place in New York on June 13th. One of the main topics were preparation for Global Ministerial Conference in Morrocco in 2025.
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United Nations General Assembly
June 24th - The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a new resolution urging member states to take accelerated action to reduce deaths and injuries from traffic crashes by implementing the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for #RoadSafety 2021-2030.
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World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
November 17th - Next WDoR will take place on November 17th. Please feel free to share with us your plans and commemorations planned.
- Ministerial Conference
18-20 February 2025 - The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety will take place in Marrakech Morocco on 18-19 February 2025. The purpose of this conference is to assess the progress made in implementing the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 during its initial five-year period, and to generate support for the new vision of safe and sustainable mobility. More information.
NGOs can start preparing by engaging with their government contacts so that the right people commit to attend, understand their country’s progress and challenges to achieving the 50% target, and prepare commitments for investment in and implementation of evidence-based interventions that will save lives and protect people.
The conference is an opportunity to be leveraged in FEVR advocacy for road safety as well as to be heard as voice oft he victims and call attention to post-crash care improvement.
VOICE OF ROAD VICTIMS
Among us are exceptional individuals and numerous life stories that can offer us lessons, reflections, encouragement, and inspiration. This section is dedicated to you. Please send us your stories.
Zavod Varna pot presented life stories in a positive light at the WDoR 2023 gala event in Ljubljana. Minister of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Asta Vrečko, also shared her personal story of the painful loss of her sister.
ADVOCACY
What is integrated into the system of one country and is a completely inherent right for all road traffic victims may be merely a silent wish in others, and viceversa. Therefore, the EU sets Directives and guidelines for minimum standards for victims of crime, covering rights in areas such as law, social services, healthcare, compensation, etc. We encourage you to share your activities, efforts, challenges, and dilemmas.
In Slovenia, together with partners from Austria, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zavod Varna pot explored the "invisible world of road traffic victims" within the Erasmus+ project NEAR in the educational systems. The findings will soon be presented in a dedicated brochure, and some information is available here.
