SIGWAY pilot activities in Belgium
two pilot activities were held as part of the SIGWAY project The weekend of March 16 and 17 2024. Two cycling activities on greenways in Wallonia, in Pays de Herve, and Flanders, around Herentals-Aarschot. The aim: promoting physical activity, health awareness and socialization, and of course the pleasure of cycling! >> Cycling around Line 38 The first one activity took place on Saturday March 16, to discover nature and heritage through the greenway, line 38 of the RAVel in the Pays de Herve. Organized in collaboration with the Pays de Herve Tourist Office, member of the EGWA, integrating the “nature” and “heritage” approach; and of course, have fun! The participants were the “Dagasses” of the Patro de Thimister-Clermon t, which is part of the Youth Movement of the region. The activity began with a presentation of the SIGWAY project, the Voies Vertes network in Europe and Belgium, and the opportunities of the Erasmus program for young people and sport, in particular the opportunity to travel by train in Europe, and combine with greenways. The bike ride followed the the Pays de Herve cyclo-quiz to discover the region’s rich landscapes and cultural heritage. Starting from the Tourist Office, and following the […]
Definition of greenways revised in UNECE
Definition of greenways revised in UNECE The EGWA presented a proposal to modify the definition of greenways to UNECE to better reflect the reality of what greenways are. This is the latest proposal included in the Unece documents, that takes up the proposal of the association, and is as follows. Greenway: A greenway is an independent road designated for non-motorized users, including pedestrians and cyclists, signposted as such. Its use might be open to other non-motorized users, for example horseback riders, if signed as such or defined in the national legislation. Explanatory note: This definition is proposed by GE.5. A greenway often follows a canal or a disused railroad. A greenway may include parts of the road dedicated for specific categories of its users, for example a soft shoulder for horseback riders. A greenway sign can be posted either by shared pedestrian/horse rider and cycle track sign or by a dedicated greenway sign, if such exists in the national legislation. Previous definition: Greenway: A greenway is a non-mandatory cycle track independent from the road network, which often follows a canal or a disused railroad. Its use is open to road users as sign posted or defined in the national legislation. […]
SIGWAY next implementation of pilot actions
SIGWAY Sport in Greenways: next implementation of pilot actions on site EGWA, with the support of their members, continue working on the organization of pilot sports and physical activity activities on greenways, as part of the SIGWAY project. Those corresponding to the EGWA are linked to cycling on greenways and aimed at young people. They are planned to be carried out in Belgium, Wallonia and Flanders, 16 and 17 March in: Herve , in collaboration with the Maison de Turisme de Pays d’Herve ; on the RAVEL line 38, winner of the 1st European Greenways Award 2021. Aarschot / Herentals withthe collaboration of the Province of Antwerp , and Café Welkom; on the greenway near Aarschot – Herentals Many thanks to our members, Anne Zinnen director of the Maison De Tourisme de Pays D’Herve, and Kris Rockele, from the outdoor leisure department of the province of Antwerp for their invaluable and essential support in carrying out these actions; without their direct help its realization would not be possible. Furthermore EGWA guides the partners, in this phase of the project, to identify the needs of the potential greenways selected by the project partners in their corresponding countries, for […]
New project proposal on Sustainable tourism for greenways ecosystem
EGWA jointly promoted, with the University of Milan, a new project application for the Single Market Programme (SMP), formerly COSME programme, to widely improve the sustainability of the greenways ecosystem, in particular of SMEs around greenways. The proposal is framed in the call Transitioning to a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem – empowering tourism SMEs (SMP-COSME-2023-TOURSME-01). The Project is called IMPRESSME – IMPRoving Sustainability for greenways-linked SMEs, and has as objective to develop and implement a support system in the greenways ecosystem to greatly advance towards the sustainability of the entire ecosystem (SMEs & territories). It will be carried out through a huge and continued awareness-raising actions on the importance of advancing on the pathway of the sustainability, through the: collection and dissemination of best practices (BP) of reference for policy makers, stakeholders and SMEs; training and capacity building of stakeholders and SMEs; personalized advice to SMEs linked to greenways regarding sustainability (environmental, social, governance), that will help them to carry out an action plan for their transformation; direct aid for the implementation of collaborative plans that improve the competitiveness and positioning of those SMEs in the market, on the basis of sustainability, resilience and capacity of adaptation to changing […]
Overview of the Rome conference at the European Greenways Award
Conference on Greenways and Sustainable Tourism in Europe, European Greenways Award. Rome 20th November 21 speakers from all over Europe sharing real experiences linked to 11 countries: Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Poland, and cross-border Poland/Czech Republic, Latvia, Belgium, Serbia, Germany, and Europe as a whole. More than 100 participants enjoyed learning about new initiatives and sharing their passion for greenways and for moving towards a more sustainable tourism in Europe, based on greenways, non-motorised itineraries, active mobility and public transport, in an incomparable setting in Rome, in the Campidoglio overlooking the ancient Roman Forum. Welcome messages from the co-organising institutions in Rome (RFI, and Roma Capitale) expressing their clear commitment to the transformation of tourism and sustainable travel, based on active mobility at local and national level. Promotion of the use of the train as part of the tourist experience, and valorisation of disused railway infrastructures. Clear commitment of European Greenways to the green transition of tourism, disseminating good practices that can inspire new actions in Europe. Giving visibility to the importance of national greenways programmes, (“Ecopistas” in Portugal, “30 years of the greenways programme” in Spain), the promotion of the reuse of disused railway heritage (Italy), as examples […]
11EGA in pictures
The Conference Greenways and Sustainable Tourisme: 21 speakers from all over Europe sharing real experiences linked to 11 countries and Europe as a whole. More than 100 participants enjoyed learning about new initiatives and sharing their passion for greenways and for moving towards a more sustainable tourism in Europe. >> The breaks on the Campidoglio terrace: a great opportunity to exchange in an incomparable setting, with a wonderful views to the Roman Forum. The Awards Ceremony: Nine greenways from Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain, Serbia, Czechia, and Latvia, have been awarded as reference of best practices in Europe. >> The visit to the Musei Capitolini. The main municipal museum structure in Rome, home to the symbol of the city, Capitoline Wolf (Lupa Capitolina) >> The technical visit. From the railway line to cycle-pedestrian path: the cycle-pedestrian path from Monte Mario to Saint Peter’s will act as a “New Urban Francigena” which will lead pilgrims to Saint Peter’s, in a safe way. Info in English Info in Italian Credits 11th European Greenways Awards. Roma. 20 November 2023 Excellence: >>1st Prize: Royal Canal Greenway. Waterways Ireland. Giulio Senes, President of the European […]
11European Greenways Award has been given in Rome
The 11th European Greenways Awards have been given on November 20 2023 during the official ceremony in Rome (Italy) Nine greenways from Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain, Serbia, Czechia, and Latvia, have been awarded as reference of best practices in Europe. The Award ceremony was held in Rome (Italy) 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 32 candidacies from 13 countries, the highest number of candidacies received so far and we warmly thank all participants for responding to the call. In this 2023 edition the international jury meet 12 July 2023, has awarded projects in three categories: “Excellence”, “Exemplary Initiatives” and one special award on “Green transition in Greenways”. This special award is part of the activities promoted by EGWA in the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism, to recognise initiatives addressing green transition challenges in the greenways ecosystem, and to showcase how […]
Greenways at the PEP/EHP meeting in Madrid
European Greenways present at THE PEP/EHP Partnership on Healthy and Active Mobility meeting in Madrid 26-27 October. EGWA has presented good practices of greenways, linked to active mobility in Europe, at the expert meeting. The meeting of THE PEP / EHP Partnership on Healthy Active Mobility, was focus on cycling. Hosted by the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda. In her presentation, the director of the EGWA addressed three lines of action on which the association is working. The first of these is linked to the green transition of tourism. In this line, examples of greenways and sustainable (active) mobility from Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Germany, and Italy, all of which have been recognised with the European Greenways Award, were presented. These examples are part of the commitments (“Pledges”) of the EGWA concerning the co-implementation of the transition pathway for tourism “Together for EU Tourism” in which the European Association participates. The aim is to disseminate good practices that showcase success stories, which can inspire new examples based on these initiatives and contribute to the transformation of tourism. A second block included different examples from the HANDBOOK: 7 cases of successful sport activities in greenways, implemented in Austria, […]
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Practical publications for greenways stakeholders
Marketing and Communication of a greenways tourism product
Top ten tips for marketing and communication
Best Practice Guide for Marketing and Communication of a greenways tourism product. The guide exposes in a very practical and operational way the top 10 tips for marketing and communication that should help lead to a successful promotion of a tourism product linked to greenways. Produced in the framework of the Greenways Outdoor project, by the East Belgium Tourism Agency (TAO), a partner within the consortium carrying out the project.
How to make accessible greenways
Key recommendations for making greenways accessible
General Conditions for Accessible Greenways: The brochure will help European greenway planners and managers to develop initiatives aimed at improving accessibility along their routes and making greenways an integrating element for the development of accessible tourism experiences and products.
Accesible Greenways
Best Practice Guide for Accessible Greenways
Best Practice Guide for accessible tourism on greenways, with recommendations on how to facilitate greenway usage by all types of user.
Cycle-friendly
Best Practice Guide for local services and equipment on greenways
Best praactices guide for greenway services, giving guidance on the necessary provisions for cyclists and people with disabilities, focusing on the facilities and accommodation nearby.