COLETI VU

BY HENRIQUE SOARES RIBEIRO SANT'ANNA DE OLIVEIRA FROM BRAZIL

Coleti.VU 2.0 was a new approach for youth in Brazil that increased and grew participation around the main concerns regarding road safety for young people. It was based on the combination of political activism that engaged local authorities and the mobilisation of young peers for practical actions in their own communities.

Apart from this combination, Coleti.VU 2.0 focused on two main challenges: assessing and improving road safety around local schools using the Star Rating for Schools methodology, and advocating for speed limits of 30kph or less in high-traffic volume areas of the city.

It was built on Coleti.VU, a 2021 Local Actions project that was designed to bring together a group of young people advocating for increased social participation of youth in city administration regarding road safety. The project monitored public mobility policies, proposed projects and actions aimed at youth, and held authorities accountable to obtain their commitment towards executing practical actions that sought the improvement and qualification of public spaces in favour of a safer, more sustainable, accessible, and equitable city.

The goal of the project was to ensure safer school zones around Porto Alegre and implement low-speed streets in Brazil.

ABOUT THE PROJECT LEAD

Henrique is a volunteer at Fundação Thiago Gonzaga - Vida Urgente, one of the biggest road safety NGOs in Brazil. He takes part in youth mobilisation and organisation roles.

As a member of Fundação Thiago Gonzaga - Vida Urgente, one of the biggest road safety NGOs in Brazil, Henrique has been eager to change the current reality in his community, where 30% of road crash victims last year were aged 11-25. "I believe that throughout the year we will have more opportunities to capitalise on Fundação's help."

IMPACT SNAPSHOTS

ABOUT THE LEAD ORGANISATION

vida urgente

Fundação Thiago Gonzaga advocates for safer urban mobility. It is connected with the local government and local artists, who aid the urban interventions and organisational inputs for the project.

The organisation works by promoting campaigns that include education, activism, reducing transit mortality in Brazil, and providing support to dozens of families who have lost loved ones in road crashes in recent years. Fundação Thiago Gonzaga gave support for Coleti.VU 2.0 to grow through its network of contacts and volunteers. It also contributed by giving technical assistance in management.