Revitalization of former Narrow Gauge Railway lines through environmentally responsible tourism route

Programme 2014 - 2020 INTERREG V-A Estonia - Latvia

Date of latest update: 2023-11-15

Description

Description (EN):

Project´s background: The idea to create non-motorized tourism routes by converting former railway lines and canal towpaths is getting more and more popular all around Europe. For some time these developments are gathered under one name - Greenways (GW), also recognized by the European Institutions under the Declaration of Lille (2000). For example, GW routes have been established in Portugal, Spain, Germany, Latvia and Russia and other countries where abandoned hiking trails, canal towpath as well as railways are reused to create the sustainable tourism routes. However, only few of these routes are also transnational providing visitors the possibility to visit more than one country in their journey. The idea to develop Green Railway route in Estonia and Latvia origins from above mentioned GW initiative. In order to create something unique based on existing and valuable cultural heritage in Estonia and Latvia, there is a specific wish to use old narrow-gauge railway network as main resource. The international “Green Railway” route will be promoted individually by participating countries and also included to the European Greenways network and promoted widely in all around Europe as part of greater network enabling to increase potential visitors’ numbers and positive impact to local economy. Cross-border nature: Green Railway route will be developed as joint international route to create more possibilities for marketing and to increase visitor’s experience. Our countries are small and in order to stand out and attract visitors something more than just invitation to visit small region in Estonia or Latvia must be offered. Joint development of the route will also increase responsibility to further maintenance and lowers marketing costs in the future. It is foreseen that in some places above route development will give a boost to present more cultural sites and elaborate new services to tourists. Joint development allows to use best practices used by different actors and regions, it ensures that development is done in a comprehensive way enabling more efficient resource use. Joint marketing and promotion allows to bring more attention to these regions as the total territory covered is larger and has more attractive destinations in it. Objectives: The general aim of the Green Railway project is to create a new non-motorized tourism route for both locals and visitors, using old narrow-gauge railway causeways in South-Estonia and North-Latvia. Historically railways have been important part of local and regional development. In past having railway passing your town or village meant possibilities for development, potential customers for your services and many other advantages. By creating Green Railway tourism route we create a trail, that can once again bring additional development potential to local regions as it will be historically and culturally interesting for potential visitors and at the same time is available for hiking/cycling by people with different ability and interest either by foot, bike or by other means of light traffic, (and on skis in winter seasons). Moreover, the trail that runs along old railway lines is normally suitable for travellers at all ages, since there are no too steep ups and downs and the trail runs along a very different-looking nature. For general overview of the planned route please see: http://old.vidzeme.com/faili/20161110133531582.png ; and for more detailed overview of planned works: https://drive.google.com/open?id=12QQp6-GykpBGEnvk4mS6MLcx2TA&usp=sharing Main activities: In order to have a tourism product based on abandoned narrow gauge railway causeways development of the route is essential. Product development includes investments to the trail: - trail creation: harvesting, bulldozing, road filling, repairing bridges etc.; creation of exact route plan; - diversifying experience: elaboration of recreational areas on the route, improvements of nearby culture or nature objects, including former stations; - accessibility: route marking (installation of signposts and information signs/boards), connections with existing infrastructure, restriction for motorized transport. However, not only the physical trail improvement will automatically guarantee the existence of strong and sustainable tourism product. Important part of the elaboration of joint routes is possessing the know-how of route development, future smart maintenance and advancement of places. Thus, several quality, know-how improving and cooperation strengthening activities are needed, in order to increase the competence and knowledge of tourism specialists, culture and nature heritage owners/managers and development specialists from local authorities. Last but not least, comes marketing activities, which are integral part of any route development. International Green Railway route will be promoted through several printed and online materials, introduced to wider public in tourism fairs, in local promotional events and via FAM trips for journalists and blogger.

Achievements (EN):

The general aim of the Green Railway project was to create a new non-motorized tourism route "Green Railways" for locals, domestic and foreign visitors, using old narrow-gauge railway causeways in South-Estonia and North-Latvia. Altogether the route is ca 716 km long and during the project's lifetime 38 cultural heritage sites were improved and are part of the route. Besides ca 303km restored former railway causeways, the route includes 33km of original parts of narrow gauge railway lines, ca 122 km of re-routing parts, and segments of bicycle route “Tour de LatEst” of 258 km. The tourism route is available for hiking and cycling either by foot, bike or by other means of light traffic. Also, on skis in the winter season. In South-Estonia, the route passes Ikla, Kilingi-Nõmme, Mõisaküla, Viljandi, Mõniste, Valga moves smoothly to North-Latvia passing Valka, Ape, Aluksne-Gulbene, Ranka, Melturi, Valmiera, Limbazi, Puikule, Ainazi, Aloja, Mazsalaca, and Rujiena. Moreover, in Latvia, the route is added to the existing and working narrow gauged railway between Aluksne and Gulbene. Activities that helped to reach and promote the result: Restoring, cleaning, and marking more than 300 km of former railway causeways in Estonia and Latvia as Green Railway's cycling and walking paths with 47 information boards and 845 signs. Establishing 11 resting places by the trails. Creating attractions at former railway stations – draisine rides at Mõisaküla, rail-bikes at Valka, and Gulbene. Promotion events – 27 events at former railway stations and on Green Railways trails in Estonia and Latvia, including sports events (Nordic walking, cycling, hiking, orienteering, etc), draisine riding, and events for kids. Creation of maps of Green Railways and website www.greenrailways.eu Capacity building of local stakeholders: helping the municipalities and SMEs at workshops and local face-to-face meetings to recognize and develop Green Railways as an asset in the region’s promotion and the basis for activities. A cross-border network consisting of all the project partners, who are responsible for maintaining and promoting Green Railways, has been established in order to manage and promote the sites. The project has been awarded the label of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 and the label is being used in events and communications throughout 2018. The project got the 1st Prize for Excellence at the 9th European Greenways Award in 2019. The project got the prize “Heritage Promoter” from the Estonian Heritage Board. Developing of the Green Railways route will continue in both Estonia - works on restoring a bridge and creating a trail on the original railway track near Abja-Paluoja and Latvia - implementation and planning of several LEADER projects (e.g. in Kocēni), planning of works on Ape – Alūksne former narrow-gauge railway causeway, Lat-Rus project "Greenways Riga-Pskov" in Latvia and Russia on former railways. Also, cross-border cooperation in the further development of greenways using its own funding between Rūjiena and Mulgi Municipalities is under consideration. One of the greenways knowledgeable partners in the project was the Latvian Greenways Association, which, following similar initiatives in many Western European countries, where thousands of kilometers of greenways have been developed, facilitates the development of greenways in Latvia and neighboring countries. What are the Greenways? - the definition can be read here.

Website: https://old.estlat.eu/

Expected Results (EN): The number of visitors at cultural and natural heritage sites

Expected Outputs (EN):

As seen above project will improve 34 sites (objects and trail sections) and creates 1 joint product and 1 cooperation network. We aim to support programmes result indicator achievement by increasing visitor number in our area 15% (3% per year) by 2022 (as we are creating new routes then the full potential can be valued only after project period).

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism

Specific Objective: More diversified and sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage

Thematic Objective: (06) preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency by:

Investment Priority: (06c) Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage

Partners (26)

Lead Partner: Vidzemes tūrisma asociācija

Department: N/A

Address: Pils square 1, LV-4101 Cesis, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.vidzeme.com

Total budget: EUR 177 517.47

ERDF budget: EUR 150 889.85

Salacgrīvas novada dome

Name: Salacgrīvas novada dome

Address: Smilšu street 9, LV-4033 Salacgrīva, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.salacgriva.lv

Total budget: EUR 40 010.84

ERDF budget: EUR 34 009.21

Amatas novada pašvaldība

Name: Amatas novada pašvaldība

Address: "Ausmas", Drabeši parish, LV-4101 Amata, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.amatasnovads.lv

Total budget: EUR 13 313.04

ERDF budget: EUR 11 316.08

Mazsalacas novada pašvaldība

Name: Mazsalacas novada pašvaldība

Address: Pērnavas 4, LV-4215 Mazsalaca, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.mazsalaca.lv

Total budget: EUR 39 450.00

ERDF budget: EUR 33 532.50

Viljandi Vallavalitsus

Name: Viljandi Vallavalitsus

Address: Kauba tn 9, 71020 Viljandi, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.viljandivald.ee

Total budget: EUR 35 738.09

ERDF budget: EUR 30 377.38

Mulgi Vallavalitsus

Name: Mulgi Vallavalitsus

Address: Pärnbu mnt 30, 60403 Abja, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.mulgivald.ee

Total budget: EUR 77 959.26

ERDF budget: EUR 66 265.37

Apes Novada Dome

Name: Apes Novada Dome

Address: Stacijas 2, LV-4337 Ape, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.apesnovads.lv

Total budget: EUR 32 637.04

ERDF budget: EUR 27 741.48

Gulbenes Novada Dome

Name: Gulbenes Novada Dome

Address: Ābeļu 2, LV-4401 Gulbene, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.gulbene.lv

Total budget: EUR 44 041.41

ERDF budget: EUR 37 435.20

Kocēnu novada pašvaldība

Name: Kocēnu novada pašvaldība

Address: Alejas 8, LV-4220 Kocēni, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.koceni.lv

Total budget: EUR 43 045.52

ERDF budget: EUR 36 588.69

Pašvaldības aģentūra “Cēsu Kultūras un Tūrisma centrs”

Name: Pašvaldības aģentūra “Cēsu Kultūras un Tūrisma centrs”

Address: Baznīcas 1, LV-4100 Cēsis, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.visit.cesis.lv

Total budget: EUR 5 840.91

ERDF budget: EUR 4 964.77

Rõuge vallavalitsus

Name: Rõuge vallavalitsus

Address: Ööbikuoru 4, 66201 Rõuge, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://rouge.kovtp.ee

Total budget: EUR 48 737.51

ERDF budget: EUR 41 426.88

Rūjienas novada pašvaldība

Name: Rūjienas novada pašvaldība

Address: Raiņa 3, LV-4240 Rūjiena, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.rujiena.lv

Total budget: EUR 28 123.79

ERDF budget: EUR 23 905.22

Valga Vallavalitsus

Name: Valga Vallavalitsus

Address: Puiestee 8, 68203 Valga, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.valga.ee

Total budget: EUR 141 166.22

ERDF budget: EUR 119 991.29

Vecpiebalgas novada pašvaldība

Name: Vecpiebalgas novada pašvaldība

Address: Alauksta 4, LV-4122 Vecpiebalga, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.vecpiebalga.lv

Total budget: EUR 23 198.01

ERDF budget: EUR 19 718.31

Valga Linnavalitsus

Name: Valga Linnavalitsus

Address: Puiestee 8, 68203 Valga, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.valgalv.ee

Total budget: EUR 3 075.58

ERDF budget: EUR 2 614.24

Viljandi Linnavalitsus

Name: Viljandi Linnavalitsus

Address: Linnu 2, 71020 Viljandi, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.viljandi.ee

Total budget: EUR 42 396.56

ERDF budget: EUR 36 037.08

Alojas novada dome

Name: Alojas novada dome

Address: Jūras 13, LV-4064 Aloja, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://wwww.aloja.lv

Total budget: EUR 70 338.28

ERDF budget: EUR 59 787.54

Alūksnes novada dome

Name: Alūksnes novada dome

Address: Dārza 11, LV-4301 Alūksne, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.aluksne.lv

Total budget: EUR 21 299.49

ERDF budget: EUR 18 104.57

Halliste Vallavalitsus

Name: Halliste Vallavalitsus

Address: Viljandi mnt 20, 69501 Halliste alevik, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.halliste.ee

Total budget: EUR 11 019.00

ERDF budget: EUR 9 366.15

Mulgimaa Arenduskoda MTÜ

Name: Mulgimaa Arenduskoda MTÜ

Address: Pärnu mnt 30A, 69403 Abja-Paluoja, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.mulgimaa.ee/mak/

Total budget: EUR 54 856.70

ERDF budget: EUR 46 628.20

Valkas novada pašvaldība

Name: Valkas novada pašvaldība

Address: Semināra 9, LV-4701 Valkas, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.valka.lv

Total budget: EUR 34 139.31

ERDF budget: EUR 29 018.41

Valmieras pilsētas pašvaldība

Name: Valmieras pilsētas pašvaldība

Address: Lāčplēša 2, LV-4201 Valmiera, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.valmiera.lv

Total budget: EUR 55 817.11

ERDF budget: EUR 47 444.54

Latvijas zaļo ceļu asociācija

Name: Latvijas zaļo ceļu asociācija

Address: Pils square 1, LV-4101 Cesis, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.greenways.lv

Total budget: EUR 23 445.58

ERDF budget: EUR 19 928.74

Limbažu novada pašvaldība

Name: Limbažu novada pašvaldība

Address: Rīgas iela 16, LV-4001 Limbaži, Latvia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.limbazi.lv

Total budget: EUR 44 000.00

ERDF budget: EUR 37 400.00

Mõisaküla Linnavalitsus

Name: Mõisaküla Linnavalitsus

Address: Jaan Sihveri 4, 69302 Mõisaküla linn, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.moisakyla.ee

Total budget: EUR 6 878.31

ERDF budget: EUR 5 846.56

Taheva Vallavalitsus

Name: Taheva Vallavalitsus

Address: 68013 Laanemetsa küla, Estonia

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.taheva.ee/

Total budget: EUR 2 036.37

ERDF budget: EUR 1 730.91

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Revitalization of former Narrow Gauge Railway lines through environmentally responsible tourism route

Project acronym: Green Railway

Project start date: 2017-03-01

Project end date: 2019-10-31

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 120 081.40

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 952 069.19

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 952 069.19.

Documents

Documents on this project are listed below, and organised by category. Please note field "Data source", attached to each document. Keep.eu users are free to use these documents as long as they mention the data source and keep.eu.

Videos / films

9th European Greenways Award 2019

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-09-26

Languages: en

Greenways for Cycling and Walking

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2020-11-26

Languages: en

The History of Green Railways Part II

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-06-17

Languages: en

The History of Green Railways Part I

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-06-05

Languages: en

Green Railways - hiking and cycling trails in Northern Latvia and Southern Estonia based on the former railways

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-01-30

Languages: en

Zaļie ceļo Kocēnu novadā / Greenways in Kocēni Municipality

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2018-12-03

Languages: en

Studies / surveys

VIDZEMES UN DIENVIDIGAUNIJAS SLĒGTO DZELZCEĻU IZPĒTE UN TŪRISMA POTENCIĀLA NOVĒRTĒJUMS

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Study / survey

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-10-31

Languages: lv

Attachment file: Download

Brochures / magazines / manuals

HANDBOOK ON Greenways DEVELOPMENT

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Brochure / magazine / manual

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-10-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Maps

LATVIJA-IGAUNIJA ZAĻIE DZELZCEĻI

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Map

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-10-31

Languages: lv

Attachment file: Download

ROHELISED RÖÖPAD MATKARAJAD EESTI JA LÄTI VANADEL RAUDTEEDEL

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Map

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-10-31

Languages: et

Attachment file: Download

LATVIA-ESTONIA GREENWAYS

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Map

Data source: https://estlat.eu/en/estlat-results/green-railway.html

Publication date: 2022-10-12

Document date: 2019-10-31

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 INTERREG V-A Estonia - Latvia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2023-11-02

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

55 / 55 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

329 / 329 (100%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme. Achievements were retrieved by Interact from the Programme website (http://www.estlat.eu/), or a website directly linked from it, on 2021-11-08 and 2024-03-08.

The financial data featured in keep.eu for this programme, it's projects and its partners is not exact and should be taken as a reference only.

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Revitalization of former Narrow Gauge Railway lines through environmentally responsible tourism route

Description

Thematic information

Partners (26)

Partners map

Summary

Documents

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Disclaimer