Inclusion and Respect

Key Achievements

UNITED AGAINST ONLINE ABUSE

2024 was landmark year for the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign as the initiative enjoyed significant growth and major impact across its key missions. 

Growth and Impact

Over 2024, the campaign obtained 154% growth across the UAOA Coalition and by year-end the UAOA Coalition totalled 68 members, surpassing the annual target of acquiring 20 members.  

Significantly, the campaign secured co-funding of €400,000 from the EU Erasmus+ Programme to develop a ‘Pan-EU Framework to Combat Online Abuse in Sport’. With an application success rate of 5.67% in 2024, UAOA is proud to have been awarded this funding as it delivers the programme which will run from 2025 to 2027 working with four FIA Member Clubs (Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic and Slovenia) alongside the FIA University and Campaign Legal partner Clark Hill LLP. In December, the UAOA was honoured by Prince Albert II of Monaco when it won the ‘Best Coalition for Peace’ award at the 2024 Peace and Sport Forum. The award recognised the campaign’s efforts in Peace, Social Stability and Dialogue in Sport.   

Research and Education 

UAOA continued to heavily engage in research and education throughout the year. It launched a first of its kind educational module dedicated to understanding Online Abuse in Sport, developed in partnership with Dublin City University and Future Learn. To support the Federation’s knowledge-led pillar this module is free, open access and supported by the FIA Foundation. 

2024 also saw the publication of the first International Federations’ Online Abuse in Sport Barometer with 35 partners across the industry including FIFA, World Athletics, and IESF. The report, authored by Professor David Hassan, sets to monitor and track the evolving scale and impact of online harms in sports year on year.
UAOA and the FIA University also published the largest research study into sports journalists and online abuse to date. The Sport Journalist Barometer worked with 41 individuals to capture the industry’s experience with Online Harms to date, and developed significant relationships with key media and journalist organisations, such as the Sports Journalists’ Association and the National Union of Journalists.

Finally, the initiative’s Research Division secured a book publishing contract with Palgrave MacMillan USA.

Engagement 

The UAOA designed the first Regional Steward Survey to ascertain the risks FIA Officials may face and how the federation can support and protect them from online harm. Over 150 responses were received, with over 75% of respondents being aware of the UAOA campaign.
The UAOA Team also held eight UAOA x Girls on Track Sessions in partnership with ESBS Business School Valencia to help upskill digital literacy skills within grassroots communities. 100% of participants agreed such sessions help make online abuse visible and promote safer environments for young people. 

UAOA, supported by the FIA Foundation, awarded four scholarships to upcoming researchers across the globe to study the under researched area of online abuse in sport. The first scholarship cohort includes: Kimberley Wyllie from the UK, Roshni Gajjar from South Africa, Maria Iuliano from Italy and Ana Rodriguez Armendariz from Mexico. 

Kimberley Wyllie is exploring the impact of sexism and misogyny in motor sport fan communities, focusing on how such behaviours affect the social identities and experiences of female fans. Maria Iuliano is examining the nature, patterns and social implications of online abuse in Italian football, drawing attention to the cultural and systemic factors that fuel hostility.  Ana Rodriguez Armendariz is assessing the role of educational initiatives in sport as preventative measures, with a focus on how awareness and training can be mobilised to reduce harm. Roshni Gajjar is analysing governance responses to online abuse, identifying current approaches taken by sporting bodies and highlighting opportunities for policy innovation and stronger regulatory frameworks. 

The UAOA and Clark Hill LLP collaborated to produce the first safeguarding guides for the Coalition and FIA Member Clubs, alongside Sport specific guidance on EU’s latest Digital Services Act.
Two further academic papers, undertaken in association with Dublin City University, were published in 2024 – an industry wide policy paper, and a review of publications on online hate in sport worldwide.  

Events, Media and Communications  

UAOA united the sporting ecosystem at the inaugural UAOA Conference. More than 70 attendees covering sports bodies, regulators, governments, social media platforms and NGOs came together to discuss Online Abuse in Sport and deliver the unanimous message that unity is integral to support healthy sport worldwide. The Conference held in Paris, May 2024 heard from France’s Sport Minister, UNESCO’s Chief of Sports, UAOA Ambassadors Burcu Çetinkaya and Pascal Gentil amongst several other high-profile organisations such as FIFA, World Rugby and the International Tennis Federation. 

The campaign also hosted its first Erreur ! La référence de lien hypertexte est incorrecte. in 2024, with 433 attendees across eight weeks. UAOA and the FIA, alongside UAOA Legal Partner Clark Hill LLP, hosted a Sport Coalition Forum that highlighted the growing epidemic of online hate speech and included speeches from key Irish Sport figures. 

UAOA hosted dedicated sessions for FIA Member Clubs in Samarkand and Kigali to highlight Club engagement opportunities. 
In addition to its own events, the UAOA team participated in a number of several high-profile events throughout the year, including the IF Seminar on Mental Health, the Council of Europe Forum, the Peace and Sport Forum, and UNESCO’s Athletes Game on for Peace Conference. 

UAOA also attended the Barcelona launch of UNESCO’s Fit for Life Network Against Racism, of which the FIA is a founding member. The network unites political, sporting, and charitable organisations worldwide, including La Liga, the Barça Foundation, and the RISE network, to combat racism and racial discrimination in sport.  

Launched the new UAOA LinkedIn Page to connect with organisations and individuals globally with a view to network, collaborate and partner. The page has grown to 307 followers since its launch in late 2024.

FIA DISABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION

The FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission, chaired by Nathalie McGloin, met twice in 2024. The Commission’s main achievement was the processing of six Certificate of Adaptations requested by disabled drivers. Additionally, members contributed to the FIA Safety Week held in February and supported the re-launch of the FIA Disabled Motoring website.

FIA DISABLED MOTORING WEBSITE RE-LAUNCHED

In 2024, in association with the International Transport Forum (ITF), the FIA relaunched the Disabled Motoring website, a comprehensive global resource for drivers and travellers with disabilities.

Originally launched in 2021, the website has been updated with expanded information, including new data from ITF member countries, guidance on vehicle adaptations for drivers with disabilities, and advice on getting involved in motor sport. 

The website continues to empower motorists with disabilities by offering essential travel information on accessibility, parking, and driving regulations across international borders. With its new features, the site also seeks to inspire and support those interested in motor sport, making it a valuable tool for independence and inclusion.

The website can be accessed at: www.disabledmotoring.fia.com

FIA MOTORSPORT GAMES – INCLUSION-E

At the 2024 edition of the FIA Motorsport Games, the FIA invited the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) and Racesport to present their Inclusion-E simulators, adapted for people with physical disabilities. The simulator has been demonstrated at inclusive events across Italy and to national associations for people with disabilities, including Anfass Nazionale and FISH ETS which support more than 1,000 people with different forms of disabilities. The programme subsequently went on to win the 2024 FIA President’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award, recognising its outstanding commitment to inclusive practice. 

FIA WOMEN IN MOTORSPORT COMMISSION

Chaired by its new President, Burcu Çetinkaya, the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission (FIA WIM) was active across a wide range of initiatives in 2024, including:  

FIA Girls on Track

In 2024, the FIA in collaboration with Formula E and its partners, organised a total of 25 events covering each stage of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar. During these events, more than 2,500 girls participated in a number of workshops in collaboration with official Formula E partners, engaged in career talks with more than 70 guest speakers and women already involved in the industry (including staff from the FIA, Formula E, teams, and local ASNs), and enjoyed pit lane and race control tours. 

In addition, an event during the FIA Motorsport Games and an event during the 2024 FIA General Assemblies week in Kigali, have been organised. A total of 220 girls have taken part in these two events.

Throughout 2024, FIA Girls on Track events were also organised by a number of FIA Member Clubs around the world, including the Brazilian Automobile Federation and the Indonesian Motor Association. 

To increase FIA Girls on Track activities within Clubs during the FIA Motorsport Games, a series of workshops was organised.  A toolkit will be shared with FIA Clubs in 2025. 

FIA Women in Motorsport (WIM) Networking Event

In 2024, the FIA partnered with the ACO to organise an FIA WIM Networking event during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The event attracted over 120 attendees and a local school.  The event’s programme featured a panel of five remarkable women who shared their stories and answered questions. 

FIA Women in Motorsport Mentoring Programme 

Designed to promote both personal and professional development as part of the FIA’s mission to double motor sport participation around the world, this online programme pairs less experienced individuals with seasoned peers in order to connect women and foster a culture of learning, growth, and collaboration within motor sport, leading to increased satisfaction, retention, and overall success.

Launched in June 2024, a total of 866 applications were received from ASNs and the general public in less than two weeks. Now underway, the programme has 248 active accounts and benefits from the input of mentors matched with mentees. A total of 463 matches have been done since the beginning of the programme. For 2025, the FIA is seeking to expand the number of seats available for women wishing to participate, from 300 to 500 places.

FIA Motorsport Games 

During the FIA Motorsport Games, an FIA Girls on Track event was attended by 100 girls who participated in a day of activities, including fitness and reaction challenges, workshops on environmental awareness and United Against Online Abuse, flag and track procedures, as well as tours of the pits and garages, Race Control and the event media centre. Additionally, the FIA WIM Team collaborated with a local university in Valencia, ESBS, with 10 girls from the Sport Management Course, leading the participants through the activities. 

Also during the Games, six seats were reserved for young girls in the Cross Car Mini Category and the FIA WIM Commission covered the costs of the entry fees for them. This initiative aimed to promote and support young female talent in motor sport.

Following a selection process to identify candidates aged between 8 and 12 years old, the successful drivers had the opportunity to represent their countries and compete among other participants in the category.

F1 in Schools WIM Award 

In 2024, the FIA WIM supported the F1 in Schools competition. The Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals, held in Saudi Arabia, brought together 55 teams from around the world, to compete for 24 awards — including the FIA WIM Award — over three intense days, marking the international finale of this global STEM challenge.  

The FIA Women in Motorsport Award — presented to a female team or individual demonstrating exceptional talent or high level of commitment to F1 in Schools — was awarded to the team from Preparatoria Tonalá Norte U de G School, Mexico. The award was handed over on behalf of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission by Frédérique Trouvé, Head of Impact & Development at F1 in Schools.

CIK Academy Trophy  

In 2024, the FIA WIM Commission selected Vanesa Silkunaite as its representative in the FIA CIK Academy Trophy. The FIA Girls on Track Rising Star Junior winner received a fully funded seat in this karting series where she was able to develop key skills in this discipline.

UNLOCKING TALENT 

FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship 

Instituted by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in 2022, the FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship

is a fully funded postgraduate opportunity aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in motor sport engineering. 

As part of the FIA University, this programme supports the FIA’s broader initiative to provide educational opportunities and remove barriers to entry in motor sport. It enables one promising engineer to pursue a Master’s degree at Cranfield University, a globally recognised institution specialising in aerospace and automotive engineering. Applicants can choose between two Master’s programmes: Advanced Motorsport Engineering and Advanced Motorsport Mechatronics. The latter focuses on integrating mechanical and electrical systems to adapt to rapidly changing conditions in the racing environment. 

For 2024-2025, the scholarship was awarded to Muhammad Yasir from Pakistan while the first scholarship 2023-2024 had been awarded to Argentinean Jesica Salvini.

FIA Careershift  

In November 2024, at the Bahrain International Circuit, the FIA launched a groundbreaking youth engagement programme called FIA Careershift: drive your future in motor sport. Launched in collaboration with the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the initiative aims to inspire and educate young people about the diverse career opportunities available in the world of motor sport.

FIA Careershift provides participants with a unique behind-the-scenes look at an FIA World Championship event, and through various workshops, tours, and hands-on activities, students gain insight into the multifaceted world of motor sport and hear directly from industry professionals about their career journeys.

The initiative involves participants in Media and Communications and Environmental Awareness Workshops, tours of Race Control and the pit lane, a flag challenge and a Career Panel Event during which representatives from the FIA, WEC, teams, and local ASNs gave the participants an insight to various motor sport careers.

Fostering Inclusion and Creating Impact

Diversity and Inclusion Charter jointly signed by the FIA and F1

In November 2024, based on the recommendations of the 2021 report by the Hamilton Commission, a formal Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) charter has been agreed by all F1 teams, Formula 1 and the FIA. Created with the support of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the charter is an important step in agreeing a set of clear joint principles to maintain momentum and continue to maximise diversity across Formula 1. It also sets out a collaborative approach to continue improvements in the times ahead. The FIA recognises the importance that diversity plays in introducing new perspectives and ideas, and in driving innovation, shaping culture, engaging communities and delivering business results.

Community engagement and legacy

Empowering communities took centre stage at the FIA General Assemblies week in Kigali, Rwanda, with a significant legacy initiative. Young people from the Kigali area and members of the local workforce were given training in all operational aspects of the event. In addition to audiovisual training, the FIA supported the local host in building capacity for the future, ensuring the procurement of media equipment for use after the event. This initiative, the first of its kind, contributed to advancing the local workforce, fostering economic empowerment and building long-term skills.