Initiative details
Children and young people (till 25 years old) make up 41% of the world’s population (United Nations, 2024) and about 25% of this age group is represented in the EU population (Eurostat, 2024). They are an active group, often dependent on public space for movement and social interaction. Yet, that public space is not designed with them in mind, nor does it reflect their world and needs. This has consequences. Every day in Flanders, an average of 10 students (aged 3 to 18) are involved in traffic crashes on their way to school (VIAS Institute, 2019–2023). Over 60% of those victims were walking or cycling. In Europe there were still 455 fatalities amongst children and 2 388 fatalities amongst youth which shows that mobility is not yet inclusive, safe and of high quality for all.
Poorly adapted public space brings dangers and challenges, but it also has more subtle barriers. Children and young people are becoming increasingly less physically active. Regular movement is however essential for both their physical and mental health. One way to encourage this movement is by promoting walking and cycling from an early stage and at a young age.
Inadequate public space also negatively affects the independence of children and young people. About a quarter of students in Flanders are driven by car even for short trips between home and school. That’s unfortunate, because travelling independently helps children learn how to navigate their environment, assess risks, and interact with other road users. This builds confidence and equips them with the skills—and the right—to travel alone.
Poorly adapted public space brings dangers and challenges, but it also has more subtle barriers. Children and young people are becoming increasingly less physically active. Regular movement is however essential for both their physical and mental health. One way to encourage this movement is by promoting walking and cycling from an early stage and at a young age.
Inadequate public space also negatively affects the independence of children and young people. About a quarter of students in Flanders are driven by car even for short trips between home and school. That’s unfortunate, because travelling independently helps children learn how to navigate their environment, assess risks, and interact with other road users. This builds confidence and equips them with the skills—and the right—to travel alone.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Policy makers
Public authorities
Children 0-16
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Parents
Seniors
Car drivers
Car drivers – professional
Educational staff
Public transport
Van drivers
Lorry/truck drivers
Cyclists
Micromobility riders
Powered two wheeler riders (excluding micromobility)
Pedestrians
Topic
Create awareness
Education in school or in community organizations
Knowledge building and sharing
Provide alternative solutions
Organisation details
Mobiel 21
Association
Belgium
Leuven
Contact name
Glenn Godin
Telephone number
+32472908537
glenn.godin@mobiel21.be
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
20 partners from civil society, academic institutions, and organisations in the fields of mobility, children’s rights, and youth work signed the child norm vision statement: Mobiel 21, KU Leuven, UGent, Ambrassade, Kind & Samenleving, VIAS Institute, Gezinsbond, Rondpunt vzw, OVK, .... For the moment Mobiel 21 takes the lead in the coalition and organises the workshops, coordinates the sessions and publications. The other partners are giving input and feedback based on their expertise. Of course there is a responsibility in terms of promotion of the principle.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
While the Child Norm was only launched in April and it is still growing, early implementation at regional and local levels has been positive. Tools and best practices have been piloted in Flemish municipalities, due to the collaborative nature of the coalition. The implementation of the child norm is a shared responsibility, in which a broad coalition of partners and organisations work together to ensure a child-friendly mobility policy in Flanders, its cities and municipalities. Partners from civil society, academic institutions, and organisations in the fields of mobility, children’s rights, and youth work signed the child norm vision statement. This statement includes recommendations to make the mobility system and public spaces truly child-friendly. However there is currently a Flemish regional – oriented starting point, this initiative could lead to a European and international adoption of the child perspective in mobility policies. For local government the tools and best practices provided are explored in greater depth. This allows them to take targeted action on aspects like the design of public space, networks and routes, participation, communication and more. The best practices show what already exists, but thanks to the connection with a wide range of partners, it is also easy to set up collaborations and offer support.
Additionally, the goal of the child norm is to be embedded in current and future guidelines of the Flemish regional and Belgian federal government—such as the manuals on Public Space, Pedestrian Infrastructure, the Cycling Master Plan, and others. Of course, its aim is to be adopted on a European and international scale.
Additionally, the goal of the child norm is to be embedded in current and future guidelines of the Flemish regional and Belgian federal government—such as the manuals on Public Space, Pedestrian Infrastructure, the Cycling Master Plan, and others. Of course, its aim is to be adopted on a European and international scale.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
As the Child Norm is a call to action for all government levels to include this principle in mobility policies, we are now organising talks with the different mobility, youth, culture & media, spatial planning... departments at a regional level. At the local level the partners are spreading the word and launching child-friendly initiatives through their approach, practices and expertise. The beginning was therefore more a phase of creating a vital coalition of partners from different sectors. Agreeing upon expectations, responsibilities, actions,... was the biggest challenge so far. Next to that it was also about creating a qualitative vision statement that encourages policy makers at the local and regional level to adopt the Child Norm.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
Launch during the mobility event: 500 people
Downloads vision statement: approximately 70 downloads
Hard copies publication vision statement: 40 copies
Social media reach on LinkedIn through posts of the different organisations.
Downloads vision statement: approximately 70 downloads
Hard copies publication vision statement: 40 copies
Social media reach on LinkedIn through posts of the different organisations.
What has been the effect of the activities?
Currently talks are ongoing with the Flemish department of Mobility and Public Works to embed the Child Norm in current and future guidelines of the Flemish regional and Belgian federal government—such as the manuals on Public Space, Pedestrian Infrastructure, the Cycling Master Plan, and others. Of course, its aim is to be adopted on a European and international scale. Next to that the different elements of the Child Norm will most likely be adopted in the Flemish Road Safety Plan 2026-2030
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
The Child Norm is more than a principle—it’s a call to action based on Children’s Rights. It outlines concrete and evidence-based levers for a safer, healthier, fairer and more sustainable world. The vision statement outlines a series of key elements to help making our mobility system kids-proof. Essential conditions like creating safe walking/cycling networks, involving children, informing them, and rethinking space design allow children to move around actively, independently and safely at a very young age. The Child Norm has catalysed cross-sector collaboration at multiple levels of governance. Its adaptability and universality make it transferable beyond Flanders.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Through social media and our website, during a sustainable mobility event on 28 April 2025 in Leuven. Those results were known at local, regional and national level.