Last 19 November, we were proud to celebrate Protected Areas from across Europe that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainable tourism, earning their place as European Charter for Sustainable Tourism Awardees.

Bringing Protected Area excellence to Brussels!

The award ceremony for the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST) took place in the European Parliament in Brussels. We were honoured to be hosted by MEP Giuseppe Antoci, who was awarded the Alfred Toepfer Medal in 2016 for his extraordinary courage in defending nature against organised crime. He emphasised that initiatives, such as the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, demonstrate Europe’s capacity and responsibility to advance sustainable tourism, safeguard biodiversity, and support resilient local communities.

We also had the privilege of welcoming two insightful keynote contributions:

• “Sustainable tourism and nature conservation: challenges and opportunities”

by Andrea Vettori, Head of the Nature Conservation Unit, European Commission – DG Environment

• “Towards a new EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism”

by Ramunė Genzbigelytė-Venturi, Policy Officer for Tourism, European Commission – DG MOVE

Get to know the winners!

This year, 24 Protected Areas were awarded the ECST. This includes 6 new awardees and 18 that have successfully re-applied to the ECST. You can virtually travel through these areas here:

The newly awarded Parks are:

• Antola Regional Natural Park, Italy
• Emilia Western Parks, Italy
• Gauja National Park, Latvia
• Monti Lucretili Natural Regional Park, Italy
• Serralada Litoral Park, Catalonia, Spain
• Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the Netherlands

Get to know all the awardees here!

During the ceremony, the awardees had the opportunity to showcase best practices successfully implemented in their territories, demonstrating the diversity and innovation behind sustainable tourism across Europe. Presentations included:

• Developing and managing the GR60 – Magic Mountains Long-Distance Trail

By João Carlos Pinho, Executive Coordinator, ADRIMAG / Montanhas Mágicas. The Park noted:

The Charter has proved to be of utmost importance in defining the main strategic orientations and the main actions to be developed, for the whole territory, regarding sustainable tourism development.

• Creating a Unified Visual Identity for the Soomaa National Park Charter Area

By Aino Viinapuu, Board Member, Green Riverland Partnership

• Implementing Sustainable Mobility with Shared E-Bikes in Weerribben-Wieden National Park

By Sharon Jagt, Project Manager for Sustainability and Economy, Weerribben-Wieden National Park

• ECST Forum as the Main Tool for Integrating Sustainable Tourism into the Management of the Julian Alps Transboundary MaB UNESCO Biosphere

By Stefano Santi, Director of Prealpi Giulie Nature Park, and Tit Potočnik, Director of Triglav National Park. They said:

ECST is a special journey that allows us to connect parks, local communities, and tourists beyond borders, honoring nature along a shared path of sustainability.

• Park and Operators: Building a Sustainable Future Together

By Franco Locatelli, ECST Responsible – Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park. He remarked:

The ECST represents a great opportunity for our Park, and it is therefore an honor to receive this recognition. In recent years, thanks to the ECST, we have built an important network with local operators and other institutions. It has also provided a valuable opportunity for professional and educational growth for our members, as well as for raising awareness about sustainable tourism.

As this year’s celebration came to a close, heartfelt thanks went to all who joined us at the European Parliament in Brussels. Their presence and engagement strengthened the shared commitment to building a more sustainable future.

Warm congratulations to all the awarded Protected Areas for their outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing sustainable tourism across Europe.

Discover the photo album here:

Learn more about the ECST!

Nature is Good Medicine

The Healing Power for Nurses, Caregivers, and Patients – Examples from General Care and Dementia Initiatives

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a common challenge, particularly for those in caregiving professions such as nurses and caregivers for individuals living with various health conditions, including dementia. The toll of chronic stress can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders like depression and burnout.

Recognizing this, various initiatives have emerged to leverage the healing power of nature as a remedy for stress relief and mental well-being.

Credits: Lesný kúpeľ KK

One notable example is the collaboration between the AGEL Levoča Hospital, which is linked with hospitals in Kežmarok and Krompachy, Slovakia, and the Forest Pedagogy NGO. This partnership aims to provide forest bath therapy to nurses, allowing them to immerse themselves in a serene natural environment. The calming effects of nature not only help reduce stress but also promote physical and mental health, enabling caregivers to recharge and better support their patients. This initiative is particularly crucial as healthcare workers have faced unprecedented levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By cultivating a stronger connection to nature, this initiative not only enhanced the well-being of healthcare professionals—who participated in interviews after each session to assess the effects—but also promotes a holistic approach to healthcare. In 2025, an analysis of a new short form of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The POMS is a widely-applied measure for the assessment of an individual’s mood. The results on the impact of forest bathing sessions for the participants was extremely positive.

Logo of Lesny Kupel

The curriculum is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and created by the Slovak Association of Forest Bath.

This Good Practice was shared within the Interreg Europe GREENHEALTH project. Here EUROPARC Federation participates as project partner for Capacity Building and Communication and counts on the expertise of the Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe Commission.

© Naturpark Sparbach/Käfer

Furthermore, our case studies highlight the Nature Park Sparbach, which has implemented the “Miteinander unterwegs” project.

This initiative involves the municipalities in the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald (Mauerbach, Gablitz, Purkersdorf, Tullnerbach and Wolfsgraben), who joined forces under the “Wir 5 im Wienerwald” network.

We spoke about this initiative at its early stages, during a webinar in July 2023, and things have developed since then. The project invites individuals affected by dementia and their caregivers to explore the beauty of nature together. As part of the “Wir 5 im Wienerwald” network, it fosters collaboration among stakeholders, institutions, and families impacted by dementia. By providing peer-support spaces and training on coping strategies, the project aims to alleviate the emotional burdens faced by caregivers while enhancing the quality of life for those living with dementia.

© Naturpark Sparbach/Käfer

If you need more information on the initiative described in this case study, you can visit the article (in German) by Susanne Käfer, Headmaster of the Nature Park Office Sparbach and which was released in the journal Green Care, published by the Competence Centre for Green Pedagogy at the University College of Agricultural and Environmental Education (HAUP), Vienna, Austria

These examples highlight the profound impact that nature can have on mental well-being, particularly for those under significant stress. By creating opportunities for individuals to connect with the natural world, we can promote healing, resilience, and a greater sense of community.

Do you have stories or wish to engage with Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe? You are welcome to contact us and let us know about you and we will be right back!

Two case studies highlighting successful approaches to promoting accessibility and sustainability in ECST-recognised Italian parks

Promoting Accessibility and Sustainability through the ECST in Italian Parks

This article presents two case studies of activities developed in Italian parks through their committment to the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. The case studies showcase practical strategies for sustainable and inclusive tourism, exploring approaches to improving accessibility for visitors with limited mobility and promoting local, sustainable food networks. Together, they demonstrate effective ways to balance visitor engagement, community benefits, and nature protection.

© Vesuvius National Park’s archive

Case Study 1: Accessibility and Wellness for All – Vesuvius National Park Leads Inclusive, Sustainable Tourism

Located in Italy’s Campania region, Vesuvius National Park faced accessibility challenges due to its uneven and unstable terrain, which made it difficult for wheelchair users, families with strollers, and visitors with limited mobility to explore its trails. To address this, the park upgraded “Trail 11 – Terzigno Pinewood” with flat, natural surfaces suitable for all visitors and created the “Percorso Vita Easy” fitness trail. An AI assistant, “Mr Plinio”, now provides information via QR codes to support people with sensory impairments, making outdoor recreation accessible to everyone. Read the full case study here.

© Erik-Concari

Case Study 2: “Restaurants of the Biosphere”: A network for sustainable catering

Located in northern‐central Italy, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine Biosphere Reserve recognised a gap in the connection between local food producers and restaurants and the need to promote short supply chains. To address this, the reserve launched a network of restaurants across the Biosphere Reserve, organising a competition for establishments to create menus featuring local, seasonal ingredients sourced from the nearby countryside. Over 16 years of project development, more than 40 restaurants and 100 local producers have participated, strengthening sustainable gastronomy and regional identity. Read the full case study here.

Do you have interesting initiatives that you would like to share with us? Or would you like to submit a case study? Please visit our Knowledge Hub!

Do you want to put the spotlight on your country and its Protected Areas? Do you want to open your doors to nature conservationists from across Europe? Now is your chance: make a bid to host the EUROPARC Conference 2027!

Bringing the Protected Area community together

The EUROPARC Conference is a unique moment for Protected Area professionals in Europe to get together and exchange on their work, learn from each other, discuss key Protected Areas topics, and create connections that can last a lifetime.

Furthermore, the event provides a privileged opportunity for the host organisation to showcase their country, conservation achievements, Protected Areas, and culture to an audience of experts coming from across Europe and beyond.

Your organisation now has the opportunity to host the EUROPARC Conference 2027!

Process for making a bid

When preparing your bid, please consider the following:

• The host organisation(s) should be, or be connected to, a EUROPARC member.
• Please prepare a letter signed by the responsible person(s) from the host organisation, indicating the willingness to host a EUROPARC Conference. The following information should be included:
  • Reasons and purpose for hosting.
  • Possible themes to explore.
  • Location of the Conference.
  • Commitment to raise the necessary funds.
  • Information on how the bid meets all the elements of guidance contained in this document.
  • Any additional information on prospective venue and location, like its capacity, as well as the different travel options available to reach the venue.
• Please consult the detailed guidance document to prepare your bids.

Guidance for aspiring Conference hosts

The EUROPARC Council is responsible for deciding the host, in consultation with the Directorate involved in the Conference planning. In the event of multiple bids being received, the Council will compare and evaluate each bid to reach their decision.

For the EUROPARC Conference 2027: Bids should be received by February 27th 2026 and a decision will be announced by the end of March. Successful hosts should be available to announce the Conference by September 2026 (details to be agreed).

We look forward to receiving your bids!

Contact us!