On 19 and 20 January 2026, the European project HIKE4ALL officially began with a two-day online kick-off meeting, bringing together the teams from the six participating countries: Italy, Spain, Norway, France, the Czech Republic, and Türkiye.
The meeting gathered the project partners representing their European cultural routes and trail networks: EAVF – European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (Italy, project leader), FCL – Fundación Camino Lebaniego (Cantabria, Spain), IALE – European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius Association (Czech Republic), ACSOW – Association for the Route of St. Olav Ways (Norway), CRS – Culture Routes Society (Türkiye), and TREF – European Federation of Templars’ Route (France).
During the two-days meeting, the six partners outlined the project roadmap and confirmed their commitment to coordinate activities in their respective countries while working closely together on the dissemination and communication strategy. HIKE4ALL focuses on outdoor activities as a driver for social inclusion, promoting walking, sport, and culture as tools to strengthen participation, community engagement, and well-being.
Starting in April 2026, the project offers an intense programme of hikes and sports, cultural, and community events, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, inclusion, and equal participation. HIKE4ALL aims to open hiking and cultural activities to everyone, including people with special needs and disabilities, ensuring that all participants can enjoy the benefits of movement, nature, and shared discovery. Across Europe, events, workshops, accessible hikes, and activities focused on well-being and sustainability will engage local communities, territories, and vulnerable groups.
HIKE4ALL has a duration of 12 months and a total budget of €300,000, funded by the European Union. During the meeting, partners also agreed on the official project logo, marking an important step in building a shared identity for communication across countries.
To maximize visibility and reach new audiences, each hike will involve local content creators and influencers, helping to amplify the project’s mission and bring the HIKE4ALL message to wider communities.
With collaboration at its core, HIKE4ALL sets out to make outdoor experiences more open, welcoming, and accessible—turning trails and cultural routes into spaces where inclusion becomes a lived experience.
[Credits: AEVF]