REGULATIONS

Article 1 The greenway concept

Greenways are “Communication routes reserved exclusively for non-motorised journeys, developed in an integrated manner which enhances both the environment and quality of life of the surrounding area. These routes should meet satisfactory standards of width, gradient, and surface condition to ensure that they are both user-friendly and low-risk for users of all abilities. In this respect, canal towpaths and disused railway lines are a highly suitable resource for the development of greenways.” (Lille Declaration, 12 September 2000).

The greenways offer a very broad audience access to alternative travel infrastructures, with these main characteristics:

1. Comfort, accessibility and safety, since they are separate from motorised traffic.
2. Open for use by all, on foot, by bike, roller skates, wheel chairs, etc,
3. Services for users along the greenways.

Greenways are also attractive and convivial travel routes. They have a positive effect in many fields:

1. The growth of non-motorised commuting and travel for leisure and tourism tends to reduce the effects of air pollution and traffic congestion in towns.
2. Quality of life in urban and suburban areas.
3. Preservation of public land.
4. Conservation of landscapes and natural environments and rehabilitation and enhancement of local heritage.
5. Economic, social and tourist development including in disadvantaged regions or neighbourhoods needing to be revitalised.
6. Public health and sport.
7. Discovery and education about the environment in urban and natural areas.

Article 2 – Organisation terms

To underline and encourage actions conducted to promote greenways in Europe and to co-ordinate initiatives related with this concept as well, the EGWA in cooperation with the Association des Départements et Régions Cyclables et le Conseil Général des Vosges, with the support of the DG of Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission and the Council of Europe / European Landscape Convention, organises the 5th European Greenways Award 2011. It proposes to promote examples of best practices and to support its transfer to another greenways all aver Europe. The European Greenways Award will be awarded only to greenways, under Lille Declaration, and initiatives already existing.

A Technical Committee will make a preliminary examination of the candidacies, and it likewise assists the jury in its choice. It reserves the right to verify locally the achievements submitted in the applications.

The Technical Committee is composed by representative’s members of the EGWA, and partnership entities supporting the award organisation.

The Jury. On the basis of a prior examination done by the Technical Committee, the jury will select the awarded candidacies acknowledging an achievement in greenways related to the 2 categories of the awards. The jury's decisions are not subject to appeal, and are taken by a majority of votes. The jury reserves the right not to award all the prizes.

The chairperson and the secretary of the technical committee will aid the jury, with voice but without vote.

The jury will be composed by representatives of European and other international institutions and qualified personalities competent to identify exemplary achievements in greenways in Europe.

Article 3 – Prize categories

1. Excellence awards

Under this category the 1st, 2nd 3rd prizes will be awarded to three exemplary greenways that show the best integration of the various characteristics that define greenways, (art. 1) and which also demonstrate specific strengths which in the opinion of the jury make them exemplary. The success of these facilities should be evidenced by its public popularity and demonstrable impact on sustainable development.

2. Exemplary initiatives

A 1st, 2nd 3rd prizes will be awarded to the exemplary initiatives dealing with the installation, management and maintenance, enhancement activities on and promotion relating to greenways, understood under Lille definition. 
They will have to stand out in some one of the following fields, as example:

1. networking
2. local participation
3. sustainable urban mobility
4. socio-economic impact
5. communication (press, video, media)
6. urban integration
7. tourism promotion
8. landscape treatment and greenway attractiveness
9. exemplary or innovative technical solutions
10. exemplary or innovative management and maintenance
11. preservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of cultural, architectural and natural heritage and public space
12. services provided to users
13. exemplary promotion of public use of the greenway
14. actions in favour of youth and/or children and/or disable people
15. Voluntary work programs
16. (…)

Article 4– Nature of the awards

Each winner will receive a diploma and a trophy symbolising the objectives pursued by the EGWA. The Award-winners will benefit from the publicity and communication on the award which will be broadcasted at European level to publicise examples of best practice and ‘know-how’ in the field of greenways. Also, the award-winning candidates will have their projects exposed at the EGWA site.

Article 5– Conditions for participation

Applications can be submitted by public or private organisations, territorial or local communities, and associations having achieved or taken part in the development of greenways or having achieved or taken part in exemplary initiatives in the field of greenways, in one of the Member States of the European Union, EFTA countries or official European Union Candidate Countries.

Candidates wishing to do so, can apply to both categories, but must submit one application per category.

Greenways awarded in the 4th edition of 2009 with any of the 6 Awards given in will not be eligible in this 5th edition.

All the information will be available on the 5th  EGA website: www.europeangreenwaysaward.org

Participation in the European Greenways Award entails compliance with and acceptance of the conditions of these regulations by the participants.

Article 6– Applications

Only dossiers using an application form, and complying with the procedures set down in this article shall be considered. The Technical Committee will be responsible for verifying that the dossiers transmitted to the jury comply with the eligibility criteria.

The dossiers will consist of: 

• An Application form: That will be submitted in electronic format through the 5th  EGA website. Application forms will be available in english, and must be only submitted in english The application forms must be received by the  NEW Deadline 31st of May 2011 at the latest.
• Supplementary documents supporting each candidate (leaflets, photos, maps, publications...) can be sent in any language.

Applicants are encouraged to send their complementary information in a digital support (CD & DVD)

Any complementary information must be received byNEW Deadline 31st of May 2011 at the latest to the address below. No more than 2 Kg of documentation can be sent. Please be sure that your supplementary documents are sent with enough time (take into account the timing of international couriers) adequately meet the deadlines.

Documents received after this deadline will not be accepted. Faxes, incomplete dossiers, or dossiers sent in several parts will not be accepted. Please indicate the title of your candidacy and a contact name when sending the supplementary documents. Complete dossiers shall be kept by EGWA.

Supplementary documents must be submitted to:

European Greenways Association (EGWA) - 5th EGA
Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles – Vías Verdes
C/ Santa Isabel, 44
28012 Madrid, SPAIN

Article 7 – Results and Ceremony of the Awards

The jury will decide the winners of the prizes that will be informed by EGWA. The prize-winners are asked not to communicate or use any public reference to the award before the official ceremony.

The awards ceremony will be held on the 8th of September 2011 at Épinal, France.