Highlights of the European Green Belt Days 2026

We are still amazed by this years European Green Belt Days! Have a look into what has happened during 6 celebrations in 8 different countries!

From 11 to 24 September each year, the European Green Belt is celebrated. Stretching 12,500 km across the continent, it is a unique green network containing cultural treasures. A variety of events offer the chance to explore this unique green network and the cultural treasures it contains.

This year, organisations came up with new ideas to let participants experience the European Green Belt in their own region.

On the Thaya River in the transboundary region of Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, an international group of people from across Europe explored the river and its surroundings by canoe. As they crossed beautiful riverine habitats and reconnected side arms, the participants experienced a flourishing exchange across borders. Further south in Italy, participants gathered for a journey from Stregna to Purgessimo along the former Iron Curtain. A historian explained the bunkers, watchtowers, and border infrastructure while a naturalist demonstrated how the landscape comprising meadows, chestnut woods, and terraced fields had healed over the course of more than 35 years. The participants witnessed first-hand how nature and culture along the Italian Green Belt are intertwined.

Several partners from Bulgaria and North Macedonia organised a varied programme as well: local citizens, schoolchildren, young Scouts and many more learned about native fruit varieties and their protection, helped to restore an abandoned mountain trail, witnessed traditional songs and dances from the region and sampled the traditional local cuisine.

 

You can find short reports about each celebration here. You can also have a look at more celebration highlights on Instagram.