T4T stakeholder event & expert group plenary in Brussels
EGWA takes part in the Together for EU Tourism (T4T) stakeholder event & expert group plenary in Brussels Organised by the EC DG GROW past 14/October To share recent policy developments in the tourism sector at EU level EGWA participates in the stakeholder event on tourism & expert group plenary in Brussels organised by the EC DG GROW, represented by her director This event was held to share recent policy developments in the tourism sector at EU level. Presentations, were focus on EU Tourism Platform; supports to cultural and heritage tourism; how the AI Act impacts tourism, future travel requirements to Europe, and the new law on green claims and how it will affect the tourism industry. Examples of pledges were presented to inspire new actions. There was an opportunity for debate, in which the DG Move was also mentioned given the importance of cycling as a means of transport and the growing importance of cycle tourism, and therefore was also requested that it join the varied and expert representation from other tourism-related EC departments participating in the event. The recording of the livestream can be watch here. The presentations are available online. EC – DG Grow invite all stakeholders to check […]
Sport in Greenways: national final event in Court-Saint-Etienne
As a final event, an attractive bike ride along the #RAVeL and the presentation of the results of Sigway – Sport on Greenways took place in Court -St – Etienne The Final National Multiplier event consisted of a sports activity by bike along the Greenway, the RAVel (*) 141, and a presentation of the SIGWAY project and its main results in the municipality of Court. St – Etienne (Belgium), followed by a debate with the participants. All this organised in the framework of the ‘4e Mobility Village ‘ , within the European Mobility Week /4eme Cité de la Mobilité’ initiative of the City of Court-St-Etienne, in partnership with the parents’ association of Collège Saint-Etienne ; and co-organised with the stakeholders and members of EGWA, the Chemins du Rail Association, and the Commune of Court St-Etienne, that facilitated all the equipment for the presentations The activity started with an attractive and very well-organized bike ride on the #RAVeL 141 to the source of the Dyle (29 km), guided by Chemins du Rail, with explanations during the ride putting in value the connection of RaVel with the sport facilities and equipment’s. Afterward, we continued with the presentation of the results […]
SIGWAY European Stakeholders Final Event
The main aim of the European Stakeholders Multiplier Event was to share the results of the SIGWAY project and strengthen its sustainability. The final event consisted of a final conference and a cycling tour along a section of the greenway Aarschot – Herentals, of railway origin, and the Demer river. The European Stakeholders Multiplier Event was held on September 19th in the beautiful city of Aarschot (Belgium). The main aim was to share the results of the SIGWAY project and strengthen its sustainability. Around thirty representatives from eight countries participated: Spain, Belgium, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Greece, Portugal, and Poland. Conference The final event consisted of a final conference, with presentations by partners giving an overview and results of the project. Particular reference was made to the pilot activities and recommendations for action to achieve more active greenways for sport and physical activity, targeting different types of stakeholders. Presentations were made by SIGWAY partners, experts in management and promotion of greenways. Key stakeholders, such as Vías Verdes and Vía Verde de la Sierra (Spain), presented good practices for the promotion of greenways, emphasising on sport and physical activity. This was followed by a dynamic round table involving project partners and the introduction […]
SIGWAY à Court-Saint-Étienne!
SIGWAY Sport in Greenways – Sport dans les voies vertes National Multiplier Event in Commune de Court-Saint-Etienne 22/September/2024 Événement national multiplicateur SIGWAY sport dans les voies vertes, à la commune de Court-Saint-Étienne, dans le cadre de la 4e village de la mobilité, dans la Semaine Européenne de la Mobilité. 10:30 Balade à vélo : RAVEL 141, aux sources de la Dyle (29 km). Balade à vélo dans la Valée de la Dyle, encadrée par les Chemins du Rails, principalement via le RAVeL, jusqu’au centre sportif de Genappe puis retour au lieu de départ . 𝟏𝟒𝐡𝟎𝟎 : Présentation du projet SIGWAY par l’Association européenne des Voies Vertes Présentation des principaux résultats du projet européen Erasmus SIGWAY Sport on Greenways, qui vise à promouvoir l’activité physique et le sport sur les voies vertes – RAVEL, avec l’intervention de Mercedes Muñoz Zamora, directrice de l’AEVV. Un aperçu d’exemples internationaux provenant de 6 pays, de programmes sportifs et d’actions concrètes pour promouvoir l’activité physique en vois vertes, et des idées pour organiser vos propres activités. Sport dans les Voies vertes pour la santé, le plaisir et l’environnement ! Co-organisé avec Chemins du Rail avec la collaboration de la commune de Court-Saint-Étienne, que […]
Sharing best practices of awarded greenways
Sharing best practices on greenways, as part of the EGWA’s pledges of the transition pathway for tourism. Discover the awarded Greenways and finalist 2023! The winning of the European Greenways Award 11 Edition held in Rome, and finalist entries are presented on the document, that includes the most relevant information about the candidacies. Key data, pictures, links to videos, and indications on how to get to the greenway, or for more information, are included. We encourage you to visit these greenways and get to know the recognised exemplary initiatives. They are examples from all over Europe, public and private, linked to greenways. Find out more details about the award winning and finalist greenways in the 11th edition 2023 held in Rome >> here In this way, we contribute to the dissemination of best practices, which take part of the EGWA’s pledges of the transition pathway for tourism, on different topics EGWA’s pledges for co-implementation of the transition Tourism pathway highlight the importance of greenways, and active mobility such as cycling and walking, for tourism and everyday life, and the need of safe and accessible non-motorised infrastructures. We strongly encourage you to get to know and enjoy these awarded greenways on foot, by bike, or wheeling. We […]
Greenways a great asset for Sport & Physical Activity
SPORT in GREENWAYS – SIGWAY European Stakeholders Multiplier Event: Greenways a great asset for Sport and Physical Activity SIGWAY aims 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 at enhancing sports field employability and local economies. The main aim of the European Stakeholders Multiplier Event is to share the results of the project and strengthen its sustainability. Venue: CULTURAL CENTER HET GASTHUIS – Mother Lutgardis room | Gasthuisstraat 22. Aarschot – Belgium 19th of September 2024 Program Summary 9:15-9:30 Registration 9:30-10:00 Words of Welcome 10:00 – 10:45 Presentations Project presentation_DEFOIN Piloting experiences_each partner Video projection_TREKIFY 10:45-11:15 Coffee break 11:15-12:30 Round Table Include short presentations of good practices from_EGWA experienced stakeholders, and an interactive session with the participants regarding: The great potential of reusing abandoned railways as infrastructure for outdoor sports. How to recover abandoned railways into greenways. How to transform unused greenways into actively used sport infrastructure. Greenways of railway origin as an example of circular economy and support […]
Sustainable mobility in the T4T
Active mobility for Sustainable Tourism Promoting active mobility in the Together for EU Tourism expert group Declarations on Cycling and the Mobility of Tomorrow to guide the future action in the EU. Investments of EUR 4.5 billion planned under Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 for cycling infrastructure, a great opportunity for greenways EGWA contributes to the Transition Pathway for Tourism through its participation in the group of experts with proposals, sharing and disseminating information, and the implementation of the Association’s pledges, basically oriented towards raising awareness, promotion and dissemination of good practices linked to active mobility on greenways. Trough the Togheter 4 EU Tourism informal Commission expert group, (Green subgroup / greening transport Taskforce) EGWA requests more visibility for cycle tourism and rural tourism through which many of the greenways run. The director of the Association regularly participates in activities promoted by the EC related to T4T. Among other the two-year anniversary event in Brussels, in where DG Grow presented the publication Transition pathway Taking stock of progress by 2023 (implementation of the Pledges by stakeholders) available at the different EU languages . The event presentations, as well as the recording of the event are accessible on the event dedicated […]
SIGWAY focus group
Focus group meetings in the framework of the SIGWAY Project. EGWA has organised three meetings, two addressed to Belgian representatives, and the third open to EGWA members at European level. Objective: to analyse and propose actions to transform abandoned railway lines into greenways, and/or better use. The aim of these meetings has been to analyse and propose actions to transform abandoned railway lines into greenways, and/or better use, in the case where they are already transformed, to improve the local economy and revitalise rural areas through sports and for physical and tourist activity EGWA has organised three focus meetings; the first two addressed to Belgian representatives, and the third open to EGWA members at European level. The variety of representatives, with a wide range of real-life experience, has allowed a rich and realistic exchange of points of view. In the case of Wallonia (BE), the priorities are now more focused on the connection of greenways and the improvement of existing ones. This is because the Walloon region has a well-developed and long-established greenway programme – the first greenway route was realised almost 30 years ago, and the vast majority of disused railway lines have already been converted. The progress of […]
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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.