CEG Program

Central and Eastern European Greenways (CEG) Program

The CEG is the flagship program of the EPSD and is running in all 6 EPSD countries with partner organizations in the neighboring countries of Austria, Belarus, Serbia and the Ukraine. CEG program provides local communities with inspiration and assistance (financial and technical) in their efforts to preserve the uniqueness of the places they live as well as to achieve harmony between protection and exploitation of local resources.

The CEG program is an initiative to create an open network between civic, public sector, business, and governmental organizations that can provide complex and diverse support for efforts of local people to build and revitalize for public benefit trails and natural corridors called Greenways in the countries and regions of Central and Eastern Europe.

The CEG network currently includes 8 long-distance Greenways and a dozen or more local trails (see map) – over 6500 km of „eco-trails“. All CEG greenways are implemented in line with a shared set of criteria and principles (CEG Declaration adopted in 2006).

Definition of Greenways in CEE

Greenways are multifunctional trails for non-motorized users connecting communities, local initiatives, natural and cultural heritage sites, promoting a healthy environment and lifestyles.

Greenways:

• are initiated, developed and managed by local communities;
• encourage sustainable development and provide a positive contribution to the local economy
• promote and enable low environmental impact lifestyles;
• provide a framework for community-based initiatives;
• promote nature conservation, cultural heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and mobility;
• integrate sustainable transport solutions and improve safety for users
• address needs of locals and visitors.