The 2025 edition of the FIM Future Leaders Programme concluded in Switzerland on 1–2 September with two days of engaging sessions, valuable exchanges, and a memorable graduation dinner.
The 2025 cohort, composed of 20 participants representing 14 national federations across 5 CONUs, successfully completed eight months of training, including 19 live webinars, personalized 1-to-1 coaching sessions, and capstone projects, before uniting for these final two days in Switzerland.
Designed in collaboration with the world-renowned International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), the Future Leaders Programme aims to build a strong and diverse pipeline of leaders capable of guiding national federations through future challenges. With a focus on gender equality, inclusion, sustainability, and effective leadership, the programme provides participants with both academic excellence and practical tools to become drivers of change in the world of motorcycling.
Day 1 – Leadership and Celebration
The final face-to-face sessions began on Monday, 1 September, at the FIM headquarters in Mies. Participants were welcomed by FIM CEO Françoise Emery, who opened the day with a message of encouragement and recognition.
The morning focused on raising awareness about inclusion, offering thought-provoking discussions on how to build more equitable and inclusive environments in sport. After lunch, participants engaged in a session on leadership, equipping them with practical tools to enhance their impact as future decision-makers within their national federations.
In the evening, participants had the honour of meeting FIM President Jorge Viegas before gathering for the Graduation Dinner, a highlight of the programme. They exchanged ideas on the challenges leaders face and discussed strategies to grow both personally and for the development of motorcycling as a sport. The dinner provided a festive and emotional moment to celebrate the achievements of the cohort, marking the culmination of eight months of learning, collaboration, and growth.
During the dinner, participants also heard from Vincent Schatzmann, General Secretary of CIES, who highlighted the importance of the academic partnership between CIES and the FIM in shaping a programme that bridges research, education, and sports management.
Day 2 – Technical Insights and Closing
The programme continued on Tuesday, 2 September, with a series of presentations from the FIM Technical Commission on projects such as airbags, helmets, electric motorcycles, and sound reduction.
This was followed by a presentation from the FIM Legal Department, including updates on Anti-Doping, the role of FMNs, and a session on FIM social media and online safety.
Looking Ahead
The event not only marked the end of their formal journey but also the beginning of a new chapter as empowered leaders, committed to shaping the future of motorcycling with innovation, inclusivity, and resilience.