Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (FFE)

English

Spain’s Greenways Program is coordinated by the Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles (FFE) (Spanish Railways Foundation), which was established in 1985. Its founding members were the National Network of Spanish Railways (RENFE) and Spanish Narrow-Gauge Railways (FEVE). Today, all regional and metropolitan railway operators in Spain, the Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF), and associations representing civil engineering and rolling stock manufacturers are also patrons of the FFE.

The Vías Verdes de España (Spanish Greenways) Program is a national initiative launched in 1993 to transform disused railway lines into routes for walking, cycling, and other non-motorized activities. The idea emerged after authorities identified more than 7,600 km of abandoned or unfinished railway infrastructure across Spain. Rather than allowing these corridors to fall into disuse, the program sought to repurpose them as public greenways.

Today, Spain has more than 3,600 km of Greenways across 143 routes, making it one of the largest rail-trail networks in Europe. The term “Vía Verde” is a registered trademark reserved for routes developed on former railway infrastructure. These greenways promote sustainable mobility, preserve railway heritage, and support tourism and rural development throughout the country.

ts main activities include:

  • Increasing public awareness and use of rail transport, as well as promoting research on this mode of transportation.
  • Conserving railway heritage, including material assets and documents of historical value.
  • Disseminating information about the cultural significance of railways and their socio-economic, environmental, and urban integration benefits.

In relation to the Greenways Programme, the FFE is responsible for:

  • Coordinating and promoting the activities of the Greenways Programme at the national level on behalf of the Ministry for the Environment, RENFE, ADIF, and FEVE.
  • Carrying out studies and projects aimed at the development and improvement of the Greenways.
  • Promoting and disseminating information about the Spanish Greenways through joint communication and outreach initiatives.

The FFE is also a founding member of the Spanish Greenways Association (AEVV). It held the Association’s presidency from its establishment in 1998 until 2004. Since 2009, the FFE has served as the General Secretariat of the AEVV and hosts its executive office at its headquarters.

French

La “Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles” (FFE) a été créée en 1985 par ses membres fondateurs, le “Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Espanoles” (la Compagnie Nationale des Chemins de Fer) et le “Ferrocarriles Via Estrecha”.

L’Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF), les chemins de fer espagnols indépendants et métropolitains, l’association d’ingénierie civile et les constructeurs en équipement de chemins de fer sont également membres de cet organisation.

Les activités principales de la FFE sont:

  • La promotion des transports ferroviaires au travers de la mise en commun et de la diffusion des études concernant ce moyen de transport;
  • La conservation du matériel et des ressources documentaires faisant partie du patrimoine historique des chemins de fer;
  • La publication des éléments traitant des facettes culturelles des chemins de fer, des retombées en termes socio-économiques et environnementaux et l’intégration des chemins de fer dans le paysage citadin.

En ce qui concerne les Voies Vertes, la FFE est responsable de:

  • La coordination et la promotion des activités du programme des Voies Vertes (Programa Vias Verdes) au niveau national, à la demande du Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’ADIF,  de la RENFE (les chemins de fer nationaux espagnols) et de la FEVE;
  • L’exécution des études et des projets de développement des Voies Vertes;
  • Réaliser des actions de diffusion communes en matière de voies vertes espagnoles

La FFE est membre fondateur de l’AEVV et a détenu la présidence depuis sa création en 1998 et jusqu’en 2004. Depuis 2009 assume le rôle de Secrétariat général de l’Association et accueille le Bureau exécutif de l’AEVV à son siège.

Contact data

Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Espanoles, Dirección del Programa Vías Verdes, C/ Santa Isabel 44
E- 28012 Madrid, Spain

Contact person: Arantxa Hernández Colorado, Manager