FAQs

The UNRSF supports catalytic road safety projects in low- and middle-income countries, where more than 90 per cent of the world's road traffic deaths occur.

UNRSF funding helps countries to implement the Safe System Approach, to prevent road traffic deaths and injuries, strengthen national road safety systems, test and scale effective solutions, and mobilize additional resources for safer roads.

Road crashes kill 1.16 million people and injure 50 million more every year. The UN Road Safety Fund carries out targeted advocacy and high-level engagement with ministers and senior decision-makers to move road safety budgets and other sustainable financing onto national agendas, working with governments, UN agencies, the private sector and civil society to close that gap.

Catalytic leverage. For every USD 1 invested in projects selected in 2024, an additional USD 1.37 was mobilized in co-financing, as governments move from commitment to their own budgeted implementation.

Reach. UNRSF-funded projects have supported system change in 58 countries and 88 municipalities in 2025 alone, across 56 active projects in over 100 countries and territories.

A UN mandate. As the UN's dedicated multi-partner trust fund for road safety, established by General Assembly resolution, UNRSF works directly with governments and UN agencies to open doors and shape national policy.

Technical depth. Projects are delivered by UN agencies and technical partners across five impact pathways — high-risk factors, safer vehicles, national road safety systems, safer and greener streets, and emergency care — all aligned to SDG target 3.6: halving road deaths by 2030.

Visibility. Partners gain a platform through UNRSF's convening power, including engagement with Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, and visibility at flagship moments like the UN High-Level Meeting on Road Safety and the Partnership Pledging Conference.

If you would like to learn more, please contact us at unrsf_secretariat@un.org.

Private sector partners. Companies and philanthropic organizations can fund and help shape UNRSF's in-country programming through a formal partnership, aligning support with the geographies and themes closest to their business. To learn more, contact us at unrsf_secretariat@un.org.

24Seconds. Companies interested in supporting UNRSF's work through direct giving can use 24Seconds — a PVBLIC Foundation initiative in support of the UNRSF — which offers a separate pathway for corporate support outside the full partnership process. To learn more, visit https://24seconds.one/.

Individual giving. Every dollar goes directly toward closing critical gaps in national road safety systems across the countries where the crisis is most acute. Individual donors fund UNRSF's core mandate — from safer road design to post-crash emergency care — helping the Fund increase its support in over 100 countries.

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UNRSF does not provide funding directly to individuals, civil society organizations, private companies, academic institutions, municipalities or government entities.

Funding is allocated only through formal Calls for Proposals and only to eligible Participating Organizations of the Fund. Other partners — including governments, NGOs, academia, foundations, private sector entities and technical experts — may contribute to UNRSF-funded projects only through collaboration with an eligible Participating Organization, and in accordance with that organization's own rules and procedures.

See Participating Organizations here.

Eligible Participating Organizations may apply for funding when a Call for Proposals is open, following the applicable Call requirements and application guidelines. Follow this site, our social media channels, and/or subscribe to our mailing list to be informed of upcoming Calls.

Organizations that are not eligible Participating Organizations cannot apply directly to UNRSF for funding.

To participate in a UNRSF-funded project, interested partners should contact an eligible Participating Organization directly — their published engagement strategy indicates which types of interventions they prioritize — and explore whether their expertise, country presence or technical contribution can be included in a proposal or implementation arrangement.

UNRSF does not select implementing partners on behalf of Participating Organizations and does not provide letters of recommendation, endorsement or direct introductions for partnership purposes.

Governments, donors, foundations and private sector partners interested in supporting the Fund or exploring strategic collaboration may contact the UNRSF Secretariat at unrsf_secretariat@un.org.

UNRSF does not accept unsolicited CVs or applications by email. Vacancies, internships and consultancy opportunities are advertised through official channels and, when relevant, shared on the UNRSF LinkedIn page.

Please follow our LinkedIn page for updates on future opportunities.

A UNRSF Participating Organization is a UN entity or one of the pre-approved civil society organizations endorsed by the UNRSF Steering Committee and a signatory to the UNRSF Memorandum of Understanding. The list of UNRSF Participating Organizations may be found here.

An engagement strategy identifies the organization-wide focal point for engagement and explains how the organization intends to participate in the Call for Proposals. It should set out the types of interventions the organization is likely to prioritize, in line with its mandate, expertise, and the UNRSF's strategic priorities.

Each UNRSF Participating Organization submits one engagement strategy to the UNRSF Secretariat. The strategy should normally be prepared and submitted by the designated focal point or another authorized officer at the organization's headquarters, in consultation with relevant internal departments and country or regional offices, as appropriate.

The total amount of funds to be disbursed for a Call is disclosed annually upon the announcement of the call for proposals. Generally, individual project budget must be a minimum of US$100,000 per participating organization with an upper limit of US$500,000 per proposal.

Generally, there is one Call for Proposals per year.

UNRSF will not fund infrastructure construction projects but can finance projects seeking expertise and/or capacity building on safe infrastructure (such as marking/signaling of roads, and pedestrian crossing points) or activities aimed at improved design of road infrastructure.

Permissible projects with a small infrastructure component would need to contribute to informing policy or building capacity; these could be as a pilot, proof of concept or part of a feasibility study.

No. However, all proposals must be submitted through the single designated focal point of the Participating Organization.

Yes, all low- and middle-income countries are eligible. This includes low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries. High-income countries are not eligible for UNRSF funding but may participate in UNRSF projects on a self-funded basis.