Brussels, 22 April 2026 – The European Driving Schools Association (EFA) has proudly signed the Wellbeing Pledge at www.wellbeingpledge.eu, officially joining the European Wellbeing Initiative (Ewellin). This marks the start of a warm and inspiring partnership that connects the world of driver education with a growing movement dedicated to caring for the people who keep Europe moving every day. ESPORG and EFA also signed a memorandum for joint cooperation in order to enhance the concepts of road traffic safety and the development of driving schools and driving’s trainers, by sharing relevant experiences and knowledge such as Wellbeing training programs for road transport industry.
A Gentle Vision for the Future of Transport
The European Wellbeing Initiative – powered by ESPORG and launched with the support of the European Commission and more than 150 stakeholders from across the transport sector – is a not-for-profit movement with one heartfelt goal: to make the lives of professional drivers and transport workers healthier, safer, and more fulfilling.
At its heart is the Wellbeing Pledge – a public promise to place people first and recognise driver wellbeing as a vital part of a truly sustainable future. Through friendly Cross-company Working Groups, organisations come together to share ideas, build understanding, and gently turn shared hopes into meaningful change.
What we are creating together goes far beyond policies or programmes. We are nurturing a Europe where drivers feel genuinely supported – from their very first lessons behind the wheel, through every mile of their careers. A future where wellbeing flows naturally into daily life: where rest areas offer a true sense of welcome, where companies view the health of their teams as their greatest asset, and where every driver learns simple ways to care for body and mind amid the demands of the road.
We envision roads where “a healthy driver is a safe driver” becomes a natural reality. Where new generations of drivers begin their journeys already equipped with awareness and habits that build resilience against fatigue, stress, and the unique challenges of the profession. Where managers see caring for their people as a wise investment that leads to stronger, happier, and more stable teams. And where every part of the transport family – driving schools, parking operators, companies, and drivers themselves – works in harmony to support the human beings who make modern life possible.
Driving Schools: The Starting Point of Lasting Change
This is where EFA’s contribution feels especially meaningful. As the voice of driving schools across Europe, EFA has long believed that quality education lays the foundation for everything that follows. By welcoming EFA to The European Wellbeing Initiative – Ewellin, we ensure that wellbeing becomes part of the learning journey from the very beginning. Driving schools are more than places to master technical skills – they are where future drivers first discover the importance of looking after their own health and the wellbeing of everyone sharing the roads.
True transformation in an industry as vast as transport rarely happens quickly. It often takes generations of steady, thoughtful effort. That is why this partnership embraces a long, hopeful perspective: by gently involving every link in the supply chain, we create a natural flow of care that begins in the classroom and continues throughout a driver’s working life and beyond. Together, we are planting seeds today that will blossom into a warmer, more human culture of transport tomorrow – more consistent, more sustainable, and deeply respectful of the people at its heart.
EFA’s First Vice President and General Secretary Manuel Picardi expressed the shared aspiration: “By training the next generation with wellbeing in mind, we are helping to shape not only skilled drivers, but happier and more fulfilled professionals who will enrich the industry for years to come.”
Druselia Betea, Founder and Director of the European Wellbeing Initiative, welcomed the partnership with genuine warmth: “Driving schools are where safe and healthy driving culture truly begins. With EFA by our side, we can nurture a future where every driver feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive – both on the road and in life.”
Looking Ahead with Hope
This collaboration between EFA and Ewellin invites us all toward a kinder, wiser future for European transport. A future where education, awareness, and everyday care combine to make our roads safer, our workforce stronger, and our communities happier.
As more organisations sign the Wellbeing Pledge and join hands in the Working Groups, we draw closer to the world we all long to see: one where transport is not only efficient and reliable, but truly human at its core.
About EFA
The European Driving Schools Association (EFA) represents national driving school associations and promotes high standards in driver education, instructor training, and road safety across Europe. Visit: www.efa-eu.com
About the European Wellbeing Initiative (Ewellin)
Powered by ESPORG, Ewellin is a not-for-profit movement working to improve health, safety, and happiness in Europe’s transport sector, with the support of the European Commission and over 150 stakeholders. Discover the Wellbeing Pledge and join the vision at www.wellbeingpledge.eu and www.ewellin.eu.
Together, EFA and Ewellin are showing that when we care for people first, we create a transport world that is safer, stronger, and more hopeful – for this generation and those still to come.
