Via Alpina Youth – walking the change

Tourism & Leisure — Feb 15, 2023

The Via Alpina long-distance-trail has been connecting all of the Alpine countries for over 20 years now. The project “Via Alpina Youth – walking the change” spreads knowledge, ideas and opportunities on sustainable lifestyles, inclusion, environmental protection and climate change along the trail.

Accessibility and social justice are key challenges for mountain and outdoor enthusiasts in the Alps. Together with its partner organisations, CIPRA International is taking up these issues in three international meetings, exchanging knowledge and looking for ways to promote inclusion and diversity. Young people from different social backgrounds, with and without impairments, can get to know the Via Alpina – on hikes, outdoor overnights and excursions to visit good examples of sustainability along the trail. They address topics such as wild camping, environmental protection or climate change. The project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

Project goals

Raise visibility of the Via Alpina and sustainable initiatives along its path.
Young people are given the opportunity to discover places and initiatives for sustainable development (“Utopias”) along the Via Alpina.
The Via Alpina becomes more accessible and inclusive for all population groups.
Shared values and the engagement of civil society in the Alps are promoted through cross-border cultural exchanges along the Via Alpina.
Young people are made aware of environmental protection in the Alpine Space.
The project promotes carbon-neutral travel in order to limit the climate crisis.

“Via Alpina Youth” raises awareness of Alpine-wide relevant issues such as wild camping, health or youth participation.

Activities

Three international base camps: Trieste/I (summer 2023), Switzerland (summer 2024) and France (summer 2025)
Two “Yes, we Camp” walking weekends in France and Germany
Visit Utopias: six portraits in the form of short videos, podcasts and posters about inspiring initiatives and people who live sustainability
Workshops for project partners on communication and youth work
Job shadowing

Duration: from 1.1.2023 to 31.12.2025

Project partners: CIPRA International, CIPRA Germany, CIPRA France, CIPRA Italy, CIPRA Slovenia, CIPRA South Tyrol, CIPRA Switzerland, En passant par la Montagne/F, Wild Routes/I, Aurelia e.V.

Project language: English

Funding:

This project is funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.

This project is financially supported by Movetia. Movetia promotes exchange, mobility and cooperation in education, training and youth work - in Switzerland, in Europe and worldwide. www.movetia.ch

Visit Utopias

Mar 07, 2025

Hike at the Marinet Glacier at St-Paul-sur-Ubaye

Discovering the glaciers on the Via Alpina - An opportunity to present this path that crosses the entire Alps, while at the same time bringing the young participants face-to-face with the impacts of climate change on our landscapes.

Tourism & Leisure — Feb 10, 2025

Mindful hiking through snow and silence

A snowshoe hike in the Liechtenstein Alps: under the guidance of a hiking guide, young adults experienced a sustainable form of winter sport, practised mindfulness and raised their environmental awareness.

Dec 02, 2024

Sharing Biodiversity on a Micro-Farm

A farmhouse in Canton Appenzell, Switzerland, surrounded by 3 hectares of land, aims to create a diverse, open-minded, and peaceful space.

Agriculture — Oct 03, 2024

Paths to sustainable agriculture

The first Utopia hike organised by the umbrella organisation for nature and environmental protection in its function as CIPRA South Tyrol took place on Wednesday, 7 August 2024. On this occasion, the functioning utopia of organic vegetable cultivation in the Puster Valley was visited on two farms.