A new training series launched by YOURS (Youth For Road Safety) and UNICEF South Asia aims to build a powerful regional movement.

Every day, millions of young people in South Asia face risks simply trying to move through their cities. Whether walking to school, riding a bicycle, or navigating traffic on public transport, they’re exposed to unsafe roads and streets not designed with them in mind. Road traffic crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among youth—and yet, their voices are often left out of the solutions.

That’s why YOURS – Youth for Road Safety and UNICEF South Asia have officially launched Slow Down, Step Up: South Asia Youth Training Series, a bold new initiative designed to equip youth leaders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to advocate for safer, more inclusive mobility in their communities.

This is not just a training. It’s the beginning of a youth-powered movement.

Why Now?

Because young people are not just the most affected by unsafe roads — they’re also among the most powerful drivers of change. With the right support, youth can identify risk areas, mobilise their communities, and influence policies that prioritise safety and wellbeing.

What is the series about?

Between September and November 2025, young leaders from across South Asia will take part in three online, peer-led training sessions focused on:

• Understanding the road safety crisis and youth-specific risks
• Developing leadership and project management skills
• Advocating for safer speeds in places where young people live, walk, and play

Each session is led by certified youth trainers from the YOURS network and grounded in real-world experiences from the region. The goal? To build a new wave of youth advocates ready to take action in their own cities.

But it doesn’t stop there. After completing the sessions, participants will be invited to activate what they’ve learned through local campaigns and community-based actions. From identifying dangerous locations to raising awareness through creative tools and storytelling, young people will step up as leaders in shaping safer streets across South Asia.

The first step begins on 1 September 2025, when young people from across India and Nepal will join the opening session of the training series. If you’re based in South Asia and passionate about road safety, there’s still time to join. (Link to Zoom)

Over the following months, they’ll be learning, connecting, and taking action to make their streets safer — and this is just the beginning. This initiative, co-led by YOURS and UNICEF South Asia, will engage over 500 youth advocates in its first rollout,  empowering a generation to lead meaningful change and build momentum for safer, more liveable cities.

Stay tuned to see how youth step up and reshape South Asia’s streets—one action at a time.

More than 15,000 people die on the roads in Mexico each year, and young motorcyclists are among the most affected. In the State of Mexico, the numbers are even more alarming, with traffic crashes being a leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 29. Faced with this reality, YOURS – Youth for Road Safety, in partnership with the Autoliv Safety Foundation and Liga Peatonal, launched YouthOnTrack, a programme to enable young leaders to take action for safer streets.

The programme kicked off on 7 June with an introductory session where participants had the chance to connect, share their motivations, and explore what it means to lead change from the ground up. That space set the tone for a powerful and participatory process. On 14 June, the first content-based session brought the group together again to explore the root causes of road traffic injuries and the specific challenges young motorcyclists face. Fifteen participants from Mexico State joined the session, engaging in dialogue and reflection with experts and peers.

“Road safety is an issue that deeply affects our country, which is why initiatives like this are so valuable. They help raise awareness and empower us to take part and become active voices for this vision of change.” Ricardo Rodríguez, Communications Coordinator at Autoliv, gave his welcome remarks during the orientation session.

The session introduced the Safe System approach and helped participants link national statistics to their local realities. It also created space for personal reflection, and for many, it was a turning point in how they viewed their role as youth in road safety. “During the sessions, we learn about statistics and understand why it is crucial to view motorcyclists as vulnerable users on the road, especially given the lack of regulation and infrastructure that supports their safety. My expectation at the end of the program is to make an impact at both the municipal level and within the community to improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.” Diana Bobadilla, a young participant in the program and Head of the Department of Mobility and Geostatistics in the Municipality of Toluca.

This is just the beginning of a four-part process that includes three virtual sessions and one in-person workshop in July. After the training, participants will lead their own community-based actions to promote motorcycle safety and share what they have learned with their peers.

“Youth are not just riders—they are key stakeholders in designing the future of motorcycle safety. This initiative recognises their vision, lived experiences, and leadership to continue positioning road safety as a non-negotiable value for future generations. To do so, through the #YouthOnTrack project, we are equipping young people with motorcycle safety knowledge so they are ready to lead change and make informed decisions. With the partnership we have formed between YOURS and Autoliv Safety Foundation, we foster a culture where safety is not imposed but co-created.” Raquel Barrios, Executive Director, YOURS

The programme is implemented closely with Liga Peatonal, a national organisation advocating for safer and more inclusive mobility in Mexico. “We are very excited to begin this journey through the State of Mexico, through the eyes of a group of talented young people, and accompanied by international experts.” Aldo González, Secretary General, Liga Peatonal

What’s next?

The following virtual session will take place on 21 June, and the in-person workshop is scheduled for 12 July. In the following months, participants will lead the design and implementation of their own local initiatives, sharing their message and inspiring others to reimagine road safety in their communities.

Stay tuned as these young changemakers take the following steps to create safer streets across the State of Mexico.