Become member

Benefits

  1. Networking and Cross-border Cooperation: ERA facilitates networking and cross-border cooperation among its member organizations. This allows organizations to share their expertise, best practices, and resources, fostering collaboration and mutual support.
  2. Expertise and Knowledge Sharing: ERA member organizations have access to the collective expertise and knowledge of over 60 walking organizations from more than 30 European countries. They can learn from each other’s experiences and gain valuable insights into organizing and creating optimal conditions for walking activities.
  3. Representation at International Organizations: ERA represents the interests of its member associations in international organizations such as the European Union and the Council of Europe. Through this representation, member organizations have a voice in shaping policies and decisions that impact walking and hiking activities across Europe.
  4. Access to Funding and Grants: ERA develops and implements a financial strategy, which may include seeking funding opportunities and grants. Member organizations can benefit from these financial initiatives, supporting their activities, projects, and infrastructure development.
  5. Marketing and Communication Support: ERA develops and implements a marketing and communication strategy to contribute to its business model. Member organizations can benefit from this strategy by gaining exposure and visibility through ERA’s promotional efforts, which can help attract new members, participants, and sponsors.
  6. Events and Activities: ERA organizes various events and activities that member organizations can participate in. These include the yearly conference with workshops and the general assembly, webinars on various subjects, the European Walking Day, and the Eurorando (held every 5 years). Participation in these events provides networking opportunities and the chance to exchange ideas with peers.
  7. Leading Quality Trails Certification: ERA certifies the best hiking routes and trails as Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe. Member organizations can work towards achieving this certification, which enhances the reputation and quality of their trails, attracting more walkers and tourists.
  8. E-paths Promotion: ERA owns and promotes the 12 E-paths, which are long-distance paths spanning a total length of 75,000 km across Europe. Member organizations can benefit from the promotion of these paths, as they attract hikers and contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in their respective regions.
  9. Walk Leader Program: ERA runs a Walk Leader program, which provides training and certification for individuals interested in leading walking groups. Member organizations can participate in this program to enhance their capacity to organize and conduct safe and enjoyable walking activities.
  10. Aqua Walking Program: ERA also runs an Aqua Walking program, which focuses on walking activities in aquatic environments. Member organizations can participate in this program to expand their offerings and cater to a broader range of interests and preferences among their members.

Overall, being a member of ERA provides walking organizations with opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, representation, and support, ultimately benefiting their own activities, members, and the walking community as a whole.

Organisations can become member of ERA.

There are different categories of memberships:

  • Full members
  • Associate members
  • Affiliated members
  • Supporting members
  • Honorary members and presidents

Extract of the ERA Constitution:

  1. Full members may be legal entities working on a voluntary base or are non-profiting. They have their seat in the territory of the geographical Europe and serve the purposes of the Constitution.
    Founding members have a right of continuance.
  2. Associate members may be legal entities with an economic profit which have their seat in the territory of the geographical Europe, and serve the purposes of the Constitution. These members have voting rights only in the determination of membership fees.
  3. Affiliate members can be legal entities that accept the aims laid down in the Constitution and are based outside Europe. These members have voting rights only in the determination of membership fees.
  4. All legal and natural persons who want to support the goals of ERA can become supporting members. These members have no voting rights. The minimum membership fee is approved by the General Meeting.
  5. Natural persons who have rendered outstanding services to the concerns of the ERA may become honorary members.
  6. Presidents and vice-presidents of the association, who have rendered outstanding services to the association, can become honorary presidents.
  7. Membership within the meaning of paragraphs 1-3 requires a written application. Before admitting a member, the member club or clubs of the same country must be heard. The General Meeting decides on the application after examination by the Board.
  8. Supporting members are accepted after a written application by the Board.
  9. Honorary members and presidents are elected by the General Meeting upon proposal of the board. Members can suggest suitable persons to the board.
See ERA Constitution for further information

If you want to become a member of ERA please contact ERA Secretariat. See contact information at the buttom of this website.

Members