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The eleventh edition of the European Green Way Awards took place last November 20th in Rome.
This award was established in 2003 and is held every two years with the aim of promoting valiant examples of greenway.
In this 2023 edition the international jury awarded the projects in three categories: “Excellence”, “Exemplary initiatives” and a special prize for “Transition Pathway for Tourism”.
The latter is part of the promoted activities from the EGWA and recognizes initiatives that address green transition challenges in the greenways ecosystem.
Regarding the Category EXCELLENCE, The first prize was won by Royal Canal Greenway, presented by Waterways Ireland, an ambitious project enhancing a 130km historic canal.
The Royal Canal Greenway is part of the 1,200 km long waterway network. The Royal Canal Greenway project connects Dublin to Cloondara and the infrastructure cost €12.3 million. Last year the greenway was visited by almost 650,000 people, with an economic impact of 17.2 million euros. The authorities proudly announced that the investment paid for itself in 8 months.
The second prize he went to the Via Verde of the Trabocchi Coast, presented by the Abruzzo Region.
For the impressive transformation of a disused railway line into a 42 km quality greenway, integrated into the splendid landscape of the Teatro coast, which has given life to a spectacular greenway.
This is an extraordinary example of environmental recovery, which required a long process. It represents a great transformation and valorization of the Costa dei Trabocchi area, also integrating sustainable mobility models.
The third prize instead he went to the European Bridge and a Polish-German cross-border greenway.
For the cross-border rail greenway, which includes as a key element the restoration of the historic railway bridge on which a 660-meter observation platform has been created. With an important environmental component, offering a unique view of the river and its natural floodplains.
It is the result of cross-border cooperation, a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries, which stimulates local pedestrian and cycling traffic and has become an important tourist destination.
As for the EXEMPLARY INITIATIVES category, the first prize He went to Wuppertalbewegung, Germany, presented by Wuppertalbewegung eV
A well-deserved first prize for the conversion of Wuppertal's abandoned “Schwarzbachtrasse” railway line into a high-quality cycling, walking and inline skating trail, achieved by a citizens' initiative who took charge of all activities, from planning to the acquisition of the necessary funds, from construction to management of the track.
The second prize instead, it was given to the Greenway from the Danube to the Adriatic, Serbia, presented by Yugo. For the over 7 year campaign aimed at promoting a greenway along the abandoned railway line from Belgrade to the Adriatic, in a continuous route of 1000 km, with the same concept and communication, through 4 Balkan countries.
The third and final prize was given to the Cross-Border Bike Festival on the Iron Greenway, presented by Poland/Czechia.
For organizing an extraordinary 2-day cross-border festival for cyclists and other users, to strengthen the promotion and creation of a tourism product of the Iron Greenway, a 52 km safe and scenic greenway loop of railway origin.
The special prize for the Green Transition in Greenways was given to Sierra Greenway, Spain, Presented by the Fundación Vía Verde de la Sierra.
The award was given for the implementation of a comprehensive strategy that includes maintenance and management with sustainable techniques.
This is based on the non-use of plant protection products, on the maintenance of the greenway edges based on sheep and goat grazing and on complementary mechanical means; on reforestation with native plants; on the installation of renewable energy systems in all buildings and structures on the greenway and on consumption reduction systems; on awareness campaigns to act against climate change with daily actions.