In the first reporting period (month 1-18), WP1 analysed the road safety situation of the Living Lab countries from different perspectives such as crash statistics and policy and regulatory frameworks and provided an analysis of the best practices and produced a toolkit of ready-to-use solutions to mitigate road crashes. In WP2, where the project seeks to promote road safety management, knowledge products were co-developed that map existing policies and practices, provided learning and exchange opportunities both virtually and in-person. WP3 which aims to assess the current road safety status of African roads spanning from national to municipal levels, structured this assessment according to the five pillars of the Safe System Approach (Safe Vehicles; Safe Speeds; Safe Roads; Post Crash-Care; and Safe Road Users). The WP has started these assessments with active engagement of key local stakeholders including the academia and is now developing recommendations for safeguarding of African road users based on each pillar of the safe systems. WP4 is focused on designing, developing, and implementing demonstration pilots/actions to assess the implementation of the Safe System approach across national, regional, and city levels. A total of 24 different sets of interventions are planned in the 4 demonstration cities (6 in Kigali, Rwanda; 7 in Cape Town, South Africa; 6 in Kumasi, Ghana; and 5 in Lusaka, Zambia). The interventions are at various levels of completion and the local implementing teams are receiving technical support from project various project partners to carry out the execution of the demonstration actions. In WP5, project partners developed indicators and concepts for local evaluations to measure the reliability of the demonstration activities and is setting up teams of local evaluators to support the evaluation process. WP6 aims to build capacities and empower local and national policymakers, practitioners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and entrepreneurs to create, execute, and maintain innovative and sustainable road safety initiatives. WP6 finalized a skills audit and the development of the capacity building plan and tools to address the skills gaps. It is was found that the main thematic areas for capacity building are road safety data, road safety management, road safety policy and legislation, enforcement, new technologies and innovation, education and information and financing. WP7 leverages and expands the innovations and partnerships established by the project and disseminate and communicate the project's activities, outcomes, and advantages to a broader audience. WP7 launched an open e-learning channel on YouTube to disseminate capacity building materials online. It also has social media channels on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), with a total following of 550 followers. Overall coordination of the project is undertaken in WP8 provides essential management and administrative support for executing the proposed demonstration actions and project tasks. WP8 held a workshop in Potsdam, Germany in June 2023 to finalize the demonstration activities and mobilize the Living Labs teams. Apart from the monthly Consortium Calls, a General Assembly was held in one of the Living Lab cities, namely Kigali, where most consortium members were present. The WP8 is also rallying all partners to deliver on this first reporting period and will continue to offer coordination support to all partners throughout the project lifetime.
