The regular ERA webinar was held on 25 November 2022, this time the topic was „projects“. ERA distributed a survey to all its member organisations to get an overview of interested members in shared projects. 21 organisations are interested in cooperating, 10 of them have experience. Unfortunatelly, the lack of participants during the webinar caused less possibilities for fuller discussions.
The ERA Board is focusing on further steps now: to create several  groups of interested organisations with the topics they can suit well the ERASMUS+ projects. The working online meetings will continue during the winter period. An application to the projects is expected in 2023.

The common ERASMUS+ project of EUMA and ERA „EUMA: Improvement of good governance of climbing and mountaineering in Europe“, is coming to an end after 3 years of hard work. The aim was to foster the idea of mountaineering in the EU, we promoted the mountaineering infrastructure and mountain sports. In the WG trails (which covered mountain and lowland), where ERA was the leader (represented by Helmut Schuster and Angelo Michele Latorre), we generated several topics to focus on.

The final meeting to present the work of all three working groups (trails, huts and rock areas) was held on 1-2 Dec. 2022 in Munich (D), hosted by the Deutscher Alpenverein.
A lot of work has now to be implemented in the next years based on the reports to improve the conditions for huts, trails and rock climbing. The final documents coming out of all 3 working groups will be available on the ERA website in the new year.
The time in Munich was also used by the Boards of EUMA and ERA to discuss future cooperation and possible common projects.

Sophie Chipon, 2nd vice-president of the European Ramblers Association, awarded the European certificate Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe (LQT-BE) for the National Trail Park Hoge Kempen in Limburg, Flemish Belgium, on Thursday, 8th December 2022.
It is the 23rd trail certified under this label, the 1st in Belgium. Congratulations to all the people and institutions that have worked to rehabilitate an industrial site that ceased its activity almost 30 years ago. Nature has now regained its rights and the LQT-BE label guarantees all users access to a preserved natural and cultural heritage. A good example to follow!

ERA has a pleasure to invite you to the snowiest region of Tyrol:
Tirol Werbung, the partner of ERA, welcome you in the PillerseeTal, Tyrol, Austria from 9 – 12 March 2023 at the European Winter Walking Days.
In the programme for these days one can hike without any technical gear except good shoes and poles. The region itself offers a rich programme for walkers, shoe walkers and event. cross-country-ski-lovers as well. The event is held around five villages in one valley. A good offer of accommodation and free public transport in the valley are promised.
Please register here.
For further questions contact: info@pillerseetal.at

 

Dear readers,
Dear members of ERA’s member organisations,
Dear keepers of ERA’s LQT-BE,
 

it is a great pleasure to thank you for supporting ERA in this year when we celebrated the jubilee of the 50 years of E-paths and 10th anniversary of LQT-BE. First Aqua Walking Challenge tournament was organised which was a great success.
Before us is a year full of uncertainty, but we are boldly moving forward, expanding our knowledge base, increasing visibility and strengthening the economic power of our organization.Together, we will have more success. In that name, I wish you and your families and friends Merry Christmas and a successful New Year!

Boris Mićić
ERA President


photo: Anna Heimersson