The Leadership Programme supports future leaders in cycling advocacy and aims to support organisations through a transition – in structure, in resources or in effectiveness. It recognises that at some periods in the life of an organisation there is an opportunity for change and this can be quicker, faster and more successful with an injection of support. That means the chance to work with other people, to share ideas or just have independent friends to lean on. 

Together with a grant secured by ECF’s industry partners, the Cycling Industry Club, the participating organisations of the Leadership Programme received extensive training on organizational development, political campaigning, strategic planning, fundraising and coalition building for a stronger national advocacy.

Here are some examples to illustrate the achievements of its members:

Croatia

The biggest achievement in Croatia was the first certified cycle-friendly faculty. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing from the University of Zagreb has invested a lot in high-quality infrastructure for cyclists, with innovative solutions for the safety of bicycles. The faculty has invested a lot in high-quality infrastructure for cyclists and thus making cycling much more attractive and safe.The national wide network is taking shape and the first national wide winter Bike2Work campaign was launched. With this achievements Croatia is now preparing arguments for their upcoming elections to push cycling on a national level.

France

Thanks to the Programme's support the organisation “FUB” has seen a very productive year. Around the French cycling barometer project, FUB is empowering its local advocacy groups, giving them leverage to advocate for result-oriented cycling policies. New ties are being developed with the national cycling industry and cycling entrepreneurs, thus giving cycling a new importance during this year's national elections. FUB is giving cycling classes to French pupils, secured a national 200 Euro subsidy for buying e-bikes and launched a project to support cycling in low-income neighbourhoods. France is on the road to make cycling accessible for all! 

Slovenia

Highly responsive to the Leadership Programme, the Slovenian Cyclists' Network (SCN) improved its influence at the national level. 2016 was the year of updating the master plan for cycling infrastructure and the national cycling strategy. SCN has really proved to be an invaluable voice to Slovenian national authorities, and as a proof was selected to be the representative NGO in the Interministerial Working Group for Cycling Friendly Legislation, as well as a member of SCN representing Slovenia at the PEP talks.

Spain

Thanks to the improved capacity of ConBici, the organisation participating in the Leadership Programme, the focus of 2016 was on boosting the National Cycling Strategy Plan. The organisation has attended countless technical meetings and has been working hard for a National Cycling Strategy Plan and the plan finally was adopted by the government! To attract more media attention and to form new alliances to support the plan, a professional video was produced explaining the main reasons why the plan should be approved and why to sign the manifesto.

Finland

Finland’s new Energy and Climate Strategy includes an official national goal to increase the trips made my bike and foot by 30% by the year 2030. Before the Leadership Programme the Finnish Cyclists’ Federation consisted of 4 registered local groups and less than 1700 members. By the end of 2016, 10 local groups with up to 2325 members joined forces together to make Finland a better place to cycle - a good sign of great progress: cycling is becoming more and more popular, the automated counters in big cities are indicating a steady growth in cyclists.

Greece

For the first time in Greece the bicycle community is working together on a national level. In 2016 the Attica Bike Community furthered the plans for the development of a Pan-Hellenic Cyclists Federation, by signing the “Declaration of Athens” with four more cyclists associations from Greece to have a stronger voice for cyclists in Greece on a national level and the cycling community is already recognising the efforts: the members have doubled from 2015 to 2016!