Two years after the last BESTbelt Conference in Montenegro, the European Green Belt community met again during this year's BESTbelt Pan-European Conference 2024 in Latvia. More than 80 participants from over 60 different organisations from nearly all countries along the European Green Belt attended the conference from 14. - 18. October to discuss, learn from each other and strengthen or initiate collaboration.
Group photo of the pan-European BESTbelt Conference 2024 on the Baltic Sea coast in Latvia
© Jessica Bitsch
Excursion to the BESTbelt project for the restoration and maintenance of coastal and island meadows on Lake Engure.
© Jessica BitschA key element of the conference was the EU-funded BESTbelt project, which provides small grants to organizations implementing projects along the European Green Belt. A total of 26 BESTbelt projects were present at the conference (many of them from the 28 currently funded projects under the 1st and 2nd Call for Proposals, and some of the new 21 projects funded under the 3rd Call for Proposals) to present their projects to the community. Participants also visited three of these projects during a field trip to see practical examples and results of BESTbelt projects in the region.
In addition, presentations were given on many interesting and important topics for the European Green Belt, including the Nature Restoration Law, the potential of green jobs, long distance cycling- and hiking trails or the inclusion of the German Green Belt on the tentative list for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to and participated in the BESTbelt Pan-European Conference, for creating a lively and inspiring atmosphere!
Soon, you will also be able to find and download all presentations on this webpage.