VREF

Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF)

The Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) inspire, initiate and support research and educational activities for the purpose of contributing to new ideas and solutions for developing sustainable and equitable mobility and access in cities.

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VREF operate as an independent entity. Our overriding goal is to strengthen accessibility for all groups while at the same time radically reduce negative local and global environmental impacts of transportation. Through the ”Future Urban Transport (FUT) – How to Deal With Complexity” program we fund research and education within four thematic programs:

– Mobility and Access in African Cities (MAC)
– Informal and Shared Mobility in Low- and Middle Income Countries (ISM)
– Walking as Mode of Transport (Walking)
– Urban Freight (UF)

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VREF Research Programs in Focus:

Informal and Shared Mobility in Low- and Middle Income Countries (ISM)

Mobility and Access in African Cities (MAC)

Walking as a Mode of Transport (WALKING)

Calls & Opportunities:

ACADEMIC SHORT COURSES

Grant proposal writing

VREF NextGen Initiative

Apply for Study Visit Grant 2025

News:

MAC

Call for Abstracts: 2nd African Transport Research Conference (ATRC 2027)

ISM

Call for Abstracts: First Global Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility – Bangkok 2026

MAC, VREF NextGen Initiative

Recording Now Online: A Deep Dive into the New VREF African Research Programs in Mobility & Access

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Upcoming Events

Nov

NextGen Research Forum

New paper: Supporting the next generation of transport scholars in sub-Saharan Africa: insights, challenges, and opportunities

Oct

First Global Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility – Bangkok 2026

The first-ever Global Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility (ISM) will bring together ISM workers and businesses, researchers, policymakers, and civil society to exchange knowledge and explore new ways to strengthen the inclusion and integration of informal and shared mobility across key policy areas such as transport, public health, climate, and the economy.

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Stay informed and updated!

Towards Sustainable and Equitable Mobility