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OURWAY Final Conference – SAVE THE DATE!
OURWAY Final Conference “Greenways, a must to sustainable tourism’ Tourism is today among the top priorities of the European political agenda as tourism ecosystem was the hardest hit by the pandemic. We have seen the launching of the Transition pathway for tourism and we look forward to know more about the European Agenda for Tourism 2030/2050 in order to support the green and digital transitions of the European tourism and strengthen its competitiveness. The Interreg Europe project “OURWAY: Preservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage through Greenways” comes to an end and the project partners believe that the results can contribute significantly to the new European Agenda on Tourism and, in particular, to the conservation, protection, promotion and development of European natural and cultural heritage through the use of Greenways. To this end, the Project consortium has worked to improve public policies related to the cultural and natural quality of the territories involved, in particular Tourism, as a hugely important policy for our regions’ sustainable economic, social and environmental development. We would like to share with all of you the results of our project and reflect together about the input into the new European Agenda for tourism. PLEASE […]
Study visit to the award-winning greenway Line-38, and Racour station in Belgium.
Study visit to the award-winning greenway Line-38 Herve Aubel section, and Racour station in Belgium. Representatives from 8 European countries have participated. The visit is part of the final conference of the OurwAy project, Interreg Europe. Tuesday 27th September, a study visit by bike took take place on the greenway (RAVEL), from Liège to Aachen on lines 38/39 (Herve – Aubel section), awarded with the first European prize in the 10th EGA, category Excellence. The objective was to share with the partners and stakeholders of the OurWay project Good Practices on the ground in the realisation of greenways, services, and facilities linked to non-motorised, cycling and walking infrastructure so that they can replicate them in a form adapted to their territories. The visited greenway, Ravel L-38 combines excellent infrastructure and services, which favour daily mobility, tourism, and leisure in a highly attractive rural environment. Thirty-five representatives from eight countries (Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, France, and Italy) participated in the visit, and were welcomed by the Director of the Pays D’Herve Tourist Office, Anne Zinnen, and her friendly staff. The director explained the role of the Pays d’Herve tourist office, the cooperation of municipalities to promote tourism in […]
Participating in greenways seminars in Latvia
The seminars were organised by the Latvian Greenways Association and held in Keipene and Gulbene. EGWA Director presented European Greenways best practices that can inspire new actions in Latvia, as part of the EU Interreg project “Greenways Riga-Vilaka”. The seminars involved local administrations promoting greenways and private sector stakeholders who have set up businesses in the vicinity of greenways, in particular in former railway stations. EGWA director presented best practices in European greenways that can inspire new actions in Latvia, as part of the Interreg project “Greenways Riga-Vilaka”. It was a great opportunity to see the great progress and increase of public and private initiatives involved in the development of greenways in Latvia! => Transforming disused railway tracks as greenways. => Recovery of collapsed bridges and building new ones => Rehabilitation of old stations for tourist uses, community activity centers, museums. => Strong commitment to move forward with new greenways projects! The finishing touch was a “chance meeting” with the Latvian Minister of Transport on the way home. Sincere thanks to Minister Talis Linkaits for his support for greenway initiatives, and for listening carefully to our proposals for moving forward, enhancing services around greenways, improvements in intermodality with public transport, […]
Kick-off- meeting of SIGWAY
Launch of the European project SIGWAY, Sport in Greenways. The kick-off- meeting of the SIGWAY, Sport in Greenways project was held in Madrid on 6-7 June. The project is carried out in the framework of the Eramus + Sport call. The meetings were combined with a visit by bike to the Tajuña greenway. The aim of the project is to promote sport and healthy leisure activities outdoors by stimulating sports activities offer in greenways and potential greenways while raising awareness on environmental issues and circular economy. Moreover, SIGWAY aims to enhancing sports field employability and local economies. It has been two intense days of meetings for the coordination and planning of the project, and direct exchange and knowledge sharing between the partners. EGWA is a member of the consortium which is composed of 7 partners from the following countries: Spain, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, Greece, and Portugal. In addition to the meetings, the partners participated in a visit to the Tajuña Greenway in the Ambite section, promoted by the EGWA, so that the partners could familiarise themselves with the concept of greenways and learn about the opportunities offered by these non-motorised and accessible infrastructures for outdoor sports. Marta Navarro, […]
Ourway study visit to Ireland
Study visit to Ireland from 31 May to 1 June, organised by Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), in Carrick-on-Shannon. A very interesting and attractive agenda combining presentations and visits by bike. We learn about the great experiences of Greenways in Ireland, and their strong socio-economic benefits thanks to the presentations from: Áine Carr, Leitrim Co. Co. – “Leitrim Greenways – “Socio Economic Benefits” Sharon Lavin, Head of Marketing, Waterways Ireland – “Blueway Development – How It Has Evolved” Seamus Gibbons (Electric Bike Trails Owners) – “Business to Benefit from Cycleway” Michael Fitzsimons, Fáilte Ireland – Greenway Visitor Experience & Development Toolkit and Greenway Industry Supports . An opportunity to discover the beauty of the Leitrim’s greenways, in particular the Shannon Blueway. Cycle from Leitrim to Drumshanbo (about 10 Km) along the banks of the Shannon Erne Canal and enjoy the iconic Acres Lake Floating Boardwalk in Drumshanbo. Visit the Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre, and then on to the Jackalope Café , in The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo, Leitrim for Lunch and visit. Day 2 was organised as an itinerant tour with presentations in the room, in two of the most popular places […]
OurWay Steering Committee in Vratsa
Sixth meeting of the OurWay Steering Committee (27-28 April. Vratsa, (Bulgaria) The aim of the 6th Steering Group meeting was to review the status of the Action Plans, to arrange the next steps, and to learn on site about examples of the Best Practices proposed by our hosts, which are linked to tourist attractions in the Vratsa district and make up a part of Bulgaria’s national tourist sites. This meeting was the first face-to-face gathering of the Steering Group after COVID Overview of the main results of the partners’ Action Plans Region of Murcia (Lead Partner) and Consorcio de las Vías Verdes de la Región de Murcia, Spain An extensive promotion of the greenways of the region of Murcia, which includes a new slogan, “Life in every step“, network campaigns and plans to transform the website to a more tourist and multilingual webpage. In addition, and very relevant, the strengthening of collaboration with the administrations responsible for tourism and stakeholders. A very attractive pilot action, creation of a cycle-rail, the implementation of which is proving to be a considerable challenge. It will be the First Spanish rail-cycle trolley. It consists in using rails of a disused section of […]
OurWay Study visit to Murcia
OurWay Study visit to Murcia on 5-6 April. >> Two intense days to learn in detail the best practices of the greenways of the Region of Murcia, which inspired the project partners from Poland and Ireland in the design of their action plans. >> EGWA was closely involved in the technical preparation of the study visit and the round table, which also moderated. The objective of the visit was to learn in detail the good practices proposed by the region of Murcia in the OurWay , an Interreg Europe project, in order to support the implementation of the action plans of the visiting partners from Poland and Ireland. The agenda included a Seminar and a field visit. The Seminar was held at the Murcia Tourism Institute and was attended by the general directors of the European Union and the Tourism Institute, members of the General Directorate of the Natural Environment, and representatives of the Consortium of Greenways of the Murcia Region, the European Greenways Association, and stakeholders directly involved in the development of the Good Practices linked to the Greenway of the Northwest of Murcia. In addition, to the OurWay partners from Poland and Ireland-who had selected the best […]
International Conference on Greenways, Mobility, Leisure and Tourism
The international conference and the ulterior visit on 1st October are organized on the occasion of the 10th European Greenways Award 2021 ceremony, that will be held on Thursday 30th September 2021 in Valencia.
CALL NOW OPEN!
Call for candidacies for the 10th European Greenways Award 2021 (Deadline for applications: Thursday 27th May 2021) The European Greenways Association (EGWA) announces the call for candidacies for the 10th European Greenways Award (EGA) 2021 organised by EGWA in co-operation with the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencia Region), through the Regional Ministry of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility and the Spanish Railways Foundation (FFE). The awards ceremony will take place on September 30th in Valencia. The objective is to promote examples of best practices and to support their replication on other greenways all over Europe. The European Greenways Award will only be granted to greenways under the Lille Declaration, as well as to initiatives already in existence. This biennial award will recognise examples of greenways best practices in three categories: A) Excellence awards In this category the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded to three exemplary greenways that show the best integration of the various characteristics which define greenways (Art. 1 of Regulations) and that also demonstrate specific strengths which, in the opinion of the jury, make them exemplary. (… B) Exemplary initiatives A 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize will be awarded to exemplary initiatives carried out in relation to greenways. This category is open to any activity related to […]
3rd Interregional Thematic Workshop of the OurWay Project
3rd Interregional Thematic Workshop of the OurWay Project Tourism Promotion and product development. The 3rd “Tourism Promotion and product development ” seminar took place on 17th July 2020 organised by the Hérault Department and held online due to the pandemic. Improving the promotion and marketing of the tourism product; enhancing services and meeting customer expectation, and measuring the economic impact of the itineraries are some of the key elements mentioned in the seminar. Marie Passieux, Vice-President responsible for Youth, Sports and Leisure at the Hérault Departmental council outlined the framework of tourism and cycling policy in the Hérault Department: Very important role to the bike. L’Hérault has a strategic policy regarding cycling and cycle tourism with defined objectives. The department is responsible for tourism and sports; tourist offices are the first step to proximity; it is the main tourist area in the Occitanie region. The Departmental Tourism Development Plan has an axis dedicated to tourism by bike and the “Bike Plan” (2019), which integrates different uses of the bicycle, gives a very important weight to tourism. Soft mobility is a priority of their policy. They want to promote tourism and all year-round slow itinerant tourism as a source […]
Workshop UNESCO sites and Greenways, in Portugal
Next Workshop “UNESCO sites and Greenways, a common destination” These events are organized in the framework of the Greenways Heritage project, in the city of Guimarães ⇒ Historic centre of Guimarães is World Heritage Site (WHS) ⇒ The Ecopista of Guimarães, as greenways are called in Portugal, is about 14 km long, between Guimarães and Fafe and uses the old railway line of Guimaraes. Date/Data: Encontro: Quinta-feira/ Thursday /29 de Noviembre 2018 Venue/Local: Sociedade Martins Sarmento, Rua Paio Galvão, Guimarães, Portugal. Language / Idioma: Portuguese / English with simultaneous translation from / to Objetivos: Dar a conhecer o projeto europeu Greenways HERITAGE (Ecovias e património UNESCO) e as oportunidades de cooperação em Portugal. Favorecer a participação público-privada na criação de produtos turísticos e iniciativas para o aproveitamento turístico, vinculadas à promoção do património UNESCO e Ecovias na Europa. Promover a aplicação das novas tecnologias para informar os visitantes e melhorar o conhecimento do património cultural existente no território. Favorecer o intercambio e a cooperação europeia, no âmbito do projeto Greenways HERITAGE: como os territórios que contam com património UNESCO e “Greenways” podem contribuir para o projeto e como o projeto europeu pode ajudá-los a estar melhor preparados para o turismo […]
EGWA Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The European Greenways Association will celebrate its 20th anniversary on June 29 and 30 in Namur (Belgium), the city where it was born on January 8, 1998, with the patronage of the Walloon Region. Friday 29th will be dedicated to a big meeting/conference for us to exchange experiences and viewpoints, after which there will be a festive musical evening. On the Saturday we will have the opportunity to discover Namur and its greenways at the crossroads of European cycle routes. It will be a grand reunion of the greenways “family” who, over the years, have contributed towards the launch, dissemination and consolidation of greenways in Europe as quality infrastructures for active tourism and sustainable mobility. Here at EGWA we would like to give our sincerest thanks to the Walloon Region for having made possible the organization of this gathering of European greenways and to Chemins du Rail, to the speakers from the various countries for giving their time so generously to share their experiences with us, and to all the attendees, experts in the subject, and friends of the greenways, who for sure will make this event a memorable one. We would be delighted if you could take part. We do […]
Workshop on “European Greenways”
“European Greenways: an opportunity for local and sustainable tourism development” Date: Thursday 28 September, 2017 – 2-5pm Venue: Dunraven Arms Hotel – Main St, Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Objectives: To provide an overview of European greenways, paying special attention to Ireland. To present examples of greenway best practices as avenues of local and tourism development that can be replicated in other European territories. To encourage interested parties to continue to develop greenways in Europe, with reference to funding opportunities for implementation and promotion. Exchange and networking among greenway promotors and managers in order to foster mutual collaboration. Addressed to: tourism promotion and greenway management authorities; public authorities and private organizations wishing to promote greenways for tourism in their territories; local service and equipment providers (SMEs) in the vicinity of greenways. Press & Media. Program: 2-2:30 Opening speeches. Giulio Senes, President European Greenways Association. Brian Kennedy, Senior Executive Officer, Economic Development, Limerick City & County Council. 2:30 – 3:30 European Greenways. Overview with special focus on Ireland. European Greenways an asset for sustainable tourism. Mercedes Muñoz, Director, European Greenways Association. (Europe) Greenways in Ireland, the current network and development plan strategy. Derek O’Neill. Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (the Transport Section) (Ireland). […]
Call for candidacies for the 8 th European Greenways Award 2017
Call for candidacies for the 8 th European Greenways Award (Deadline: Wednesday 26 April 2017) The European Greenways Association (EGWA) announces the call for candidacies for the 8th European Greenways Award (EGA) 2017, organised by EGWA in co-operation with the Limerick City and County Council. The objective is to promote examples of best practice and to support their replication on other greenways all over Europe. The European Greenways Award will only be granted to greenways under the Lille Declaration, as well as to initiatives already in existence. This biennial award will recognise examples of greenway best practice in two categories: a) Excellence awards In this category the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded to three exemplary greenways that show the best integration of the various characteristics that define greenways (Art. 1 of Regulations) and which also demonstrate specific strengths which, in the opinion of the jury, make them exemplary. (…) b) Exemplary initiatives A 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize will be awarded to exemplary initiatives carried out in relation to greenways. This category is open to any activity related to greenways in its broadest sense: (…) Deadline for receipt of candidacies: Wednesday 26 April 2017 Regulations, Applications forms and updated info: europeangreenwaysaward.org The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 28th […]
Conference “Accessible Tourism on European Greenways: Greenways for All” September 30 in Madrid
Conference “Accessible Tourism on European Greenways: Greenways for All” The European Greenways Association and the Spanish Railways Foundation, as project coordinator partner of “Greenways4ALL” project organize on Friday, September 30, the first conference of this European project which began last July 1, 2016. The conference will take place at the FFE headquarters (C / Santa Isabel, 44, Madrid). The conference “Accessible Tourism on European Greenways: Greenways for All” aims to publicize the “Greenways4ALL” project and share experiences on accessible tourism, improving accessibility around greenways and the dissemination of these routes as resources for all. It is aimed at political and technical professionals at national and regional level, county councils, municipalities, greenways managers, experts, entrepreneurs and workers in the tourism sector, the third sector and specialized media. View Program and presentations >> Registration Form >> The conference is the starting point of the European project Greenways4ALL with the aim of moving towards a product that meets the value chain of accessibility; from the accessible travel path to an accessible experience. Thus, accessibility is the common element to all resources that integrate the tourism product: walking the greenway, eating in restaurants in the area, lodging in the immediate vicinity to the greenway, […]
“Ecopistas e Produtos Turísticos”, Workshop and technical visit
The summary of the workshop “Ecopistas e Produtos Turísticos” held in Viseu 7th July 2016 in the framework of Greenways Outdoor project; presentations in Portuguese and Spanish, and pictures including the technical visit to Ecopista do Dão.
Greenways4ALL
The new European Project in which EGWA is participating, “Greenways4ALL”, is underway! EGWA participates in this new EU project funded under the COSME programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The project aims to move forward towards the creation of accessible tourism products linked to greenways. Greenways4ALL will help improve accessibility to and around greenways, the quality of the tourism supply aimed at persons with disability, and the dissemination of greenway resources as infrastructures for everyone. The project is coordinated by the FFE; the EGWA provides the European dimension and coordinates communication. Greenways, which are non-motorized routes that mostly make use of disuse railway lines and canal towpaths, are probably the most accessible routes providing access to nature and open-air leisure activities for everyone, including persons with disability. However, and with few exceptions, despite the potential that the tourist destinations of greenways enjoy, travellers are not offered the facilities to acquire a comprehensive and accessible tourism product based on greenways. This is because the offer of the various resources making up a trip are neither structured nor organized. With this project, whose full name is “Accessible Tourism on European Greenways: Greenways For All”, we aim […]
EUROPEAN GREENWAYS PHOTO CONTEST
EUROPEAN GREENWAYS PHOTO CONTEST OPEN CALL The European Greenways Association organizes the “European Greenways Photo Contest” in the framework of the European project Greenways Outdoor (co-founded by the Cosme programme of the European Union). The objective is to promote greenways as a suitable infrastructure for different groups to practise outdoor activities at any time of year. The European Greenways and all the elements around them are the protagonists of this competition. Participating photos should show the infrastructure itself (viaducts, tunnels, old railway buildings, canal towpaths, etc.), or users, heritage and natural attractions of the environment, places and singular elements, and especially the practice of activities by different kinds of users (cyclists, hikers, sports, families, etc.). There are 5 prizes for the best photos and a special prize for the picture with the best engagement on the social media networks: 1st PRIZE: 2 tickets in 1st class for a round trip to any of the Renfe-SNCF en cooperación / en cooperation 2nd PRIZE: 3 Day trip to Madrid for 2 people – visiting two greenways sponsored by Rutas Pangea 3rd PRIZE: 3 Day trip to Olvera for 2 people – sponsored by Fundación Vía Verde de la Sierra (FVVS) 4th PRIZE: […]
Social Networks Prize Photo Contest
CONGRATULATIONS to David Clynch, the winner of the SPECIAL Social Networks Prize of the First edition of the European Greenways Photo Contest who took an amazing photo of Deise Greenway, the Waterford Greenway Group near Ballyvoile in Ireland and shared it will us and all of his friends on Facebook and Twitter! David’s photo had a great engagement with over 50 likes, comments and retweets which made him the direct winner of this prize. It was the picture with the most amount of points from all the pics we received from all over Europe. Thank you all for sharing your greenway photos with us! The photo contest is part of the EU project Greenways Outdoor and this particular SPECIAL Social Networks Prize, given to the person with the most points, it is offered by the EGWA and the Greenways Outdoor project, and it consists of two nights’ accommodation *** with breakfast for two people near one of the winning greenways of the 7th European Greenways Award 2015 (Excellence and Exemplary Initiatives categories): Nordbahntrasse Wuppertal / North-Rhine-Westphalia / Germany Plazaola Greenway / Navarra / Spain Koleje in Nový Jičín / Moravia-Silesia / Czech Republic Greenway between Flemish Ardennes and the Pays des Collines / Flanders / Walloon region / Belgium – […]
WINNERS of European Greenways Photo Contest 2016
CONGRATULATIONS to all the WINNERS of the first European Greenways Photo Contest We loved all your photos!!! WINNERS: PRIZE 1 ©Helen Rigard – Waterford Greenway Viaduct – IRELAND PRIZE 2 ©Oscar Garcia – Terra Alta Greenway – SPAIN PRIZE 3 ©Pablo Toboso – Terra Alta Greenway – SPAIN PRIZE 4 ©David Quintas – Vasco Navarro Greenway_Alava – SPAIN PRIZE 5 ©Derek Halsey – Iron Curtain Trail – CZECH REPUBLIC MENTIONS: M1 ©Oscar Garcia – Sierra de la Demanda Greenway – SPAIN M2 ©Tessa Serrano – Hehlingen – GERMANY M3 ©Anita Tīlena – Old Narroy-gauge Railway Bridge – LATVIA M4 ©Gregorio Egea Jimenez – Murcia Greenway – SPAIN M5 ©Salvador Camaño – Plazaola Greenway – SPAIN M5 ©Alicia Polo – Bidasoa Greenway – SPAIN M5 ©Derek Halsey – Iron Curtain Trail – CZECH REPUBLIC Thank you all for participating! We have discovered new greenways thanks to your photos. Please keep on sharing and tagging your favourite European greenways! Also thanks to all our judges for taking their time and rating all the pictures! Roberto Rovelli – IT Associazione Italiana Greenways Jenny Martin – UK Sustrans Dominika Zareba – PL Stowarzyszenie Greenways Poland Gilbert Perrin – BE Chemins du Rail Carmen Aycart – ES Vías Verdes de Andalucía Liam O’Mahony – IR Great Southern Trail / Greenway And […]
Meeting in Brussels of the jury of the 7th European Greenways Award
Jury members at meeting in Brussels The Jury of the 7th European Greenways Award was made up of experts whose professional background allowed them to approach, from a range of perspectives, the analysis of more than 20 exceptional candidates from 9 different countries. M. Pedro Ortún. Principal advisor, DG GROW, European Commission. Mr. Frederic Razee. Expert RAVeL – Mobilité douce. Cabinet du Vice-Président du Gouvernement Wallon et Ministre des Travaux Publics, de la Santé, de l’Action Sociale et du Patrimoine Mr. Andreas Versmann. European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)/NAT section (Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. Mr. Bartlomiej Jesionkiewicz. Technical and Policy Adviser of EIM EIM aisbl (European Rail Infrastructure Managers) Mr. Hildebrand P.G. de Boer. Programme Director of European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH e.V.). Ms. Iulia Niculica. Administration and Institutional Affairs Project Manager, European Travel Commission (ETC) M. Gilbert Perrin – President EGWA. (Vote, in case of a tie vote) Jury was assisted technically by the EGWA representatives (with voice but without vote) Ms. Carmen Aycart, General Secretary and Ms. Mercedes Muñoz, Director and Jury Secretary. As laid down in the award regulations, the jury set out to select 3 awards for the categories Excellence and Exemplary Initiatives and 1 special […]
The 7th European Greenways Awards have been given on October 16th 2015 during the official ceremony in Namur (Belgium)
The 7th European Greenways Awards have been given on October 16th 2015 during the official ceremony in Namur (Belgium) Seven greenways from Germany, Belgium, Spain, United Kingdom and Czech Republic were awarded as reference of best practices in Europe. The Award ceremony was held in Namur (Belgium). The European Greenways Award was created in 2003 and has been held every two years since. EGWA has been delighted to receive 21 candidacies from 9 different countries, and wishes to thank all the candidates for the quality of their work and the effort done to provide very helpful information to the jury. In this 2015 edition the international jury has awarded projects in three categories: “Excellence”, “Exemplary Initiatives” and one special prize “Best Outdoor Tourism Product for Greenways”. The jury met in Brussels last September, and as specified in the award regulations, they set out to select 3 awards for the “Excellence” and “Exemplary Initiatives” categories and the special prize for the Best Outdoor Tourism Product For Greenways (*). We are pleased to announce that the award winners are: «Excellence» Category : 1st Prize: Nordbahntrasse Wuppertal (North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) presented by Wuppertalbewegung e.V. For the transformation of the 22 Km of an abandoned railway […]