Donors and Foundations
Funding practical road safety work in Zambia
The Zambia Road Safety Trust works with donors, foundations, embassies, research funders and development partners to turn road safety evidence into practical programmes, safer infrastructure, stronger local systems, training, policy support and measurable public-interest outputs.
Why donor investment is needed
Zambia faces a sustained road safety burden
Road traffic deaths and serious injuries affect families, schools, employers, public services and the economy. Children walking to school, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders and people using public transport are often exposed where safe crossings, lower speeds, footways, lighting and enforcement are inadequate.
Why work with ZRST
Local capacity supported by documented programme experience
Local implementation capacity
ZRST works directly with schools, communities, public authorities, companies and transport stakeholders in Zambia.
Institutional partnerships
Its work has involved government agencies, councils, universities, international research bodies, donors and corporate partners.
Integrated programme delivery
ZRST can combine infrastructure, education, training, research, policy support, stakeholder engagement and monitoring within one programme.
Experience with funded work
ZRST has delivered grant-funded, research-funded and corporate-supported projects with defined outputs, budgets and reporting requirements.
Evidence of delivery
Selected programmes and institutional results
Safe school infrastructure supported by UNDP and UNRSF
ZRST supported school-zone work involving infrastructure and traffic warden training at selected Lusaka schools, implemented with public-sector coordination.
Lusaka pedestrian and cycling policy support
ZRST contributed to the development and stakeholder process for the Lusaka Cycling and Pedestrian Safety Policy, adopted in 2024, and continued to support discussion on financing walking and cycling measures.
Horizon Europe research partnerships
ZRST has participated in the AfroSAFE and TRANS-SAFE programmes, contributing local stakeholder engagement, road safety research activity, demonstrations, workshops and knowledge exchange.
Safe street and non-motorised transport work
GDCI-supported work included public engagement and safe street activity in Lusaka, while other technical partnerships have covered corridor assessment, mapping, audits and non-motorised transport planning.
Corporate-supported school road safety
ZRST has implemented school road safety activities with Yango, Puma Energy and the TotalEnergies Foundation, including school engagement, education, signs, markings and other approved safety measures.
Training for riders, drivers and institutions
ZRST has delivered motorcycle rider safety, school traffic warden training, road safety awareness and institutional capacity-building activities for corporate and public-interest partners.
Funding opportunities
Road safety programmes donors can support
Each programme can be designed as a focused grant, a multi-year partnership or a component within a wider transport, public health, education or climate programme.
Safe School Zones
Site assessment, approved crossings and speed measures, signs, road markings, wardens, learner education and monitoring.
Pedestrian and cycling safety
Corridor audits, crossing improvements, footway and cycle planning, community engagement, policy support and safer public-space pilots.
Motorcycle and delivery-rider safety
Rider training, helmet and visibility work, employer standards, incident review and support for safer commercial riding.
Fleet and occupational road safety
Fleet risk reviews, driver and rider training, policy development, route-risk assessment and incident-management support.
Data, audits and research
Road safety studies, speed surveys, mapping, infrastructure assessment, data analysis, monitoring and local research support.
Government and enforcement capacity
Training, stakeholder coordination, speed-management support, local road safety planning and public compliance work.
Post-crash response
Research, referral systems, first-response capacity, victim support frameworks and coordination among responsible institutions.
Low-carbon and climate-compatible mobility
Walking, cycling, public transport safety, electric mobility research and road safety integration within climate and urban mobility programmes.
Delivery and accountability
How ZRST manages funded work
Written scope and budget
Funded work is defined through an agreement, approved work plan, budget, outputs, responsibilities and reporting schedule.
Financial and procurement records
Expenditure, supporting documents, procurement decisions and project records are maintained in line with the agreement and applicable controls.
Monitoring and evidence
Depending on the programme, reporting may include baseline information, attendance, site records, photographs, before-and-after evidence and narrative and financial reports.
Safeguarding and consent
Work involving children, schools and communities requires appropriate consent, safeguarding measures and responsible use of images and personal information.
Public-authority coordination
Infrastructure, road markings, traffic-calming and public-road work are subject to technical review and approval by the responsible authorities.
Learning and adjustment
Implementation issues, evidence gaps and operational risks are documented so that activities and future phases can be adjusted where necessary.
Partnership approach
Flexible roles within donor and research programmes
Depending on the programme, ZRST can serve as:
- a local implementation partner;
- a consortium member;
- a technical and stakeholder-engagement partner;
- a research and data partner;
- a grant recipient; or
- a programme co-designer.
Strong partnerships require more than funding. ZRST expects an agreed problem, a realistic budget, defined responsibilities, clear evidence standards, authority engagement where required and a practical plan for maintenance or continuation after the grant period.
Due diligence
Institutional material available for serious funding discussions
Subject to relevance and appropriate confidentiality, ZRST can provide:
- registration documents;
- governance information;
- audited financial statements;
- project and completion reports;
- partner references;
- budgets and work plans;
- safeguarding and operational policies;
- monitoring evidence;
- bank documentation; and
- other compliance records required for appraisal.
Fund road safety work that is locally grounded, technically responsible and accountable for delivery.