Jury meeting of the 11th European Greenways Award 2023 The jury of the 11th European Greenways Award was composed of a panel of experts with different expertise to approach, from different perspectives, the analysis of the 24 excellent shortlisted applications from 11 different countries:   Ms. Ramune Genzbigelyte-Venturi. Policy officer-Tourism. European Commission. DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. Unit GROW G1 – Tourism and Textiles Ms. Dorota Tomalak. Deputy Head of Unit. Secretariat of the Commission for Natural Resources. European Committee of the Regions Ms. Veronika Sárik. Technical Manager – EIM – European Rail Infrastructure Managers Ms. Iulia Niculica. Head of Administration. European Travel Commission Ms.  Alessandra Bonfanti. Legambiente. National Responsible for Mobility Mr Giulio Senes – President EGWA. (1) Italy/ EGWA , and Ms. Mercedes Muñoz, Jury Secretary  – EGWA Director (1) Vote, in case of a tie vote / (2) With voice but without vote. >> The winners will be announced in Rome on Thursday, September 21st 2023 The awards contribute to the promotion of best practices in greenways, to encourage the qualitative development of these new facilities open to the general public in Europe, that are “Communication routes reserved exclusively for non-motorised journeys. These routes should meet satisfactory […]

The first results of the SIGWAY project are now available! They consist of 2 reports giving an overview of greenways in the 7 countries participating in the project, and examples of good practice in sport and active leisure activities in Spain, Belgium, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Greece and Portugal. Both reports include an introductory summary of the situation in the different countries and best practices, prepared by EGWA, which has guided the research as the lead partner for this part of the work. Each country report has been prepared by the respective project partner, who is responsible for its content.   1/ National report on the current network of sport greenways in each country The objectives of the report are: To have the general information on the existing greenways in each represented country, and the main characteristics of their development. To know the specific characteristics that favour the development of outdoor sports and leisure activities in greenways, and what conditions make them successful, through concrete examples. Offer a global overview of the situation of the greenways and the sports activities and physical activity that take place in the represented countries. Identify outstanding examples of greenways, which can serve as a […]

EGWA will present at the 21st European Tourism Forum, about “Tourism Transition Pathway”. The Forum is organised by the Czech Presidency together with the European Commission.  EGWA have been invited to present at the 21st European Tourism Forum, about “Tourism Transition Pathway” and examples of good practice in its implementation, and it will be an honour to present in this important event. The Ministry of Regional Development will host the European Tourism Forum on 15th November 2022 at the Congress Centre in Prague, which will be one of the most important events in the field of tourism this year. On 15th November, the speakers will include representatives of the European Commission, experts and representatives of other institutions according to the selected topic, both from the Czech Republic and abroad. (For further details, please see: https://www.mmr.cz/en/microsites/pres/akce/evropske-forum-cestovniho-ruchu-(1)) The program will be divided into four thematic blocks: 1) Package Travel Directive (PTD) – lessons learned from pandemic 2) Short-Term Rentals Regulation (STR) 3) Transition Pathway for Tourism (TTP) as a basis for the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 4) Tourism marketing activities – recent trends EGWA presentation is scheduled in block 3, Transition Pathway for Tourism (TTP) as a basis for the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 This will be a great opportunity to insist […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

The 10th European Greenways Awards have been given on September 30 2021 during the official ceremony in Valencia (Spain) Nine greenways from Belgium, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, were awarded as reference of best practices in Europe. The Award ceremony was held in Valencia (Spain). The European Greenways Award was created in 2003 and has been held every two years since. The objective is to promote examples of best practices and to support their replication for other greenways all over Europe. The European Greenways Award is granted only to greenways under the Lille Declaration, as well as to initiatives already in existence. EGWA has been delighted to receive 31 candidacies from 11 countries, the highest number of candidacies received so far and we warmly thank all participants for responding to the call. In this 20121 edition the international jury meet on line 24 June, has awarded projects in three categories: “Excellence”, “Exemplary Initiatives” and one Special European Greenways Award EYR 2021. This special award is part of the activities included in the European Year of Rail 2021 (EYR), Stakeholders Initiatives. We are pleased to announce that the award winners are: EXCELLENCE category 1st Prize: From Liège to Aachen by […]

Actions Plans of OurWay, an Interreg Europe project (PreservatiOn and promotion of cultural and natural heritage through GreenWAYs.) The aim of Interreg Europe program  is to help regional and local governments across Europe to develop and deliver a better policy,  trough the best practices sharing and policy learning. First Phase of the Interreg project covers 5 semesters and is dedicated to inter-regional learning based on the exchange of experiences and study visits that serve as inspiration to improve the policies of the territories represented in the project, through the Action Plans (APs). These APs are the essential result of the project. The AP is a document providing details on how the lessons learnt and exchange of experience from the interregional cooperation will be exploited in order to improve the regional policy instruments. The Action Plan specifies the nature of the actions to be implemented, their time frame, stakeholders involved, the cost, and funding sources. In the case of OurWay, the good practices and, subsequently, the APs, have been aimed at learning about good practices that allow improvements in Preservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage through GreenWAYs regarding : Governance, Promotion Funding The Action Plans prepared by the six  […]

In the “European Year of Rail” we publish an interview with Gilbert Perrin, a leading pioneer of the greenways movement in Europe, promoter of the transformation of abandoned railway lines into greenways in Belgium and co-founder of the European Greenways Association.

Info about the European Tourism Convention and the latest news on EU tourism recovery: priorities and funding opportunities: Feedback on the European Tourism convention workshop Greener Holidays; The plenary session; Funding opportunities for tourism & greenways ; Campaing:Tourism part of National Recovery and Resilience Plans; Actions to undertake – Practical recommendations.

Greenways & EGWA are represented in “We are Europe” campaign The European Travel Commission partners with Euronews to create a unifying post-COVID-19 media campaign reflecting on the beauty, diversity and soul of Europe.  To get involved in the campaign, you can download the toolkit and follow the step-by-step instructions here. Press Release  “We are Europe” tourism campaign launched on Euronews EGWA is an signatory organization for the “Tourism for Growth and Jobs” Manifesto, calling on the European Commission and Parliament to give more attention to tourism as an important driver for growth and employment. Share this…FacebookPinterestTwitterLinkedin

3rd Steering Group Meeting & 2nd Interregional Thematic Workshop of the OurWay Project. Original and successful local development initiatives in the beautiful Bieszczady Mountains in Podkarpackie. Funding opportunities for tourism and greenways, linked to the promotion and management of cultural and natural heritage. Development of greenways as the perfect way to promote the natural and cultural resources of the region.   The 2nd Interregional Thematic Workshop “Identification of financial instruments and funding for Greenways” was held in Rzeszów, Poland, on 24 – 25 September 2019, together with the 3rd Steering Group Meeting of the OurWay project.The first day saw a visit to the Bieszczady Mountains to get to know different entrepreneurial and local development initiatives on the ground. The local panorama was completed with presentations by stakeholders and other interest groups for attendees to learn about greenways in Poland and other experiences and initiatives underway in the territory. The 3rd Steering Group Meeting was also held at the same location.The second day was set aside for the thematic workshop, which focused on the identification of financial instruments for greenways, with presentations from partners and stakeholders in the Podkarpackie region. There was also an opportunity for the project partners to exchange ideas […]

Greenways Heritage & European Greenways Award in Latvia   The final Conference of the Greenways Heritage EU co-funded Cosme project and the gala Dinner of the 9th European Greenways Award will be held on 5 September 2019, in Vidzeme region in Latvia.   Overwiew of the program: Thursday 5th September 2019 9:00 – 12:00 Project partners meeting – Greenways Heritage 13:00 – 18:00 Final Conference Greenways Heritage “Enhancing Heritage and Innovation: shaping the future of greenways” (open) The conference will feature: Main outputs of the Greenways Heritage project. With special focus on key messages and tools to put in value greenways and cultural heritage nearby: Integrating cultural heritage into itineraries to create more attractive routes. Using technological tools for informing and enrich the experience of tourist about Greenways and cultural and natural heritage. Promoting and selling greenways and UNESCO as common destinations Governance to manage and promote greenways and heritage nearby. How to finance greenways integrating the natural and cultural assets nearby? Best practices to set up, manage and promote greenways and heritage in Europe, based on useful examples.   Program of the Conference                 13:00 – 13:30  Registration / Coffee 13:30 – 13:50 Opening. […]

The 2nd Steering Group Meeting & 1st Interregional Thematic Workshop of the OurWay Project, held in Westport, County Mayo (Ireland), on 5-6 March 2019. This was a great opportunity to learn all about the Irish Greenways strategy and, in particular, the successful Great Western Greenway in County Mayo, at the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), the hosting project partner. A few months ago, the Irish government approved The Greenways Strategy – Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, promoted by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The strategy was devised through cross-departmental collaboration and with contributions from all kinds of interested parties, in a process which took more than one year to complete.  Right up until the final approval stage, the design was open to the participation of all interested parties and enjoyed the substantial involvement of various government departments, authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level. Ireland’s greenways are based on the concept outlined in the EGWA’s Lille Declaration. This first seminar provided us with a great opportunity to learn about the whole process in depth, at first hand from the key players involved in the process. Specific examples of the development of greenways and […]

 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 […]

Greenways and UNESCO sites a common destination. Activities and opportunities of cooperation. Workshop & Working meeting.  Namur (Belgium) Thursday 28 June 2018   – 16:30  Venue:  C/o Siège de Chemins du Rail – Rue van Opré 97 ;  5th floor  – Namur Objectives: →   To present the new EU funded project Greenways Heritage to the EGWA members and greenways network, and the opportunities of cooperation →   To encourage greenways network to cooperate and to request the contribution to the project from partners outside the consortium. →   To promote the application of new technologies to inform visitors and to improve the knowledge of the existing cultural heritage of the territory. →   Networking between partners and participants: how you can contribute to the project Greenways Heritage and how the project can help your greenways and Cultural resources to become better prepared for tourism and for being more internationally well-known. Program Greenways Heritage (10′) Project General Overview: Greenways and UNESCO sites a winning duo. Mercedes Muñoz, AEVV-EGWA – Lead Partner/Coordinator. Detailed content of the work and opportunities to participate in the different actions of Greenways Heritage. (40′) Team partners: Arantxa Hernández, FFE Vias Verdes; Giulio Senes Milan University; Kris Rokelé and representatives from Stad Mechelen / Provincie Antwerpen, Mercedes […]

New EU funded project Greenways HERITAGE     EGWA will co-ordinate this new EU project funded under the COSME programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The general objective of the project is the development and diversification of the European tourism offer by generating new tourism products related to heritage greenways and UNESCO cultural heritage sites located nearby. This is to be achieved by widely disseminating this appealing offer in order to attract more tourists and to generate an economic impact on territories which have both UNESCO sites and greenways, and in particular on the SMEs located in their vicinity. To promote the use of new technologies applied to greenways and UNESCO sites to better inform tourists and so enhance their experience. To achieve this objective various types of concrete actions will be implemented: The creation of product and generation of an offer of tourism packages of greenways and UNESCO sites, and “go as you please” trip proposals. Work with local companies to improve competitiveness. Meetings promoting Public Private Partnership (PPP) To improve useful information for tourists by using new information technologies (web-GIS multi-platform with information on cultural sites and related greenways; Furthermore a specific example […]

“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 (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 […]

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 […]

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 – […]

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: […]

European Manifesto asks the European Commission and Parliament, more attention for tourism as an important driver on Growth and Jobs  EGWA is one of the over 20 organisations that have already signed up to the manifesto because the importance of the future European policy on tourism, also for greenways. Greenways are a very useful tool for the development of tourism in rural areas and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage. Tourism in greenways is an important driver of economic and social development, what is key in rural and inland areas. The future European policy to support tourism is key for greenways! Please, read the Manifesto and help to distribute it through your organization and fellow network. www.tourismmanifesto.eu Share this…FacebookPinterestTwitterLinkedin