Yoalin: Young people travel sustainably through the Alps
Bern, 20.09.2021 - On 19 and 20 September 2021, the final event of Yoalin (Youth Alpine Interrail) took place in Innsbruck (A). The project, which took place for the third time, encourages young people to discover the Alps in a climate-friendly and cost-effective way. The Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE supports the project, which contributes to the implementation of the Alpine Convention.
Mode of travel and local mobility influence the ecological footprint of tourism. People opting to travel short distances and use public transport or non-motorised means of transport can significantly reduce this footprint. This is why the Yoalin project aims to motivate young people to adopt climate-friendly mobility and travel to nearby destinations. Over the summer months, 125 young adults discovered mountains, valleys and lakes in the Alps. They received train vouchers and access to a youth community in which they could share their ideas and experiences.
This year's Yoalin project was supported by the Swiss Presidency of the Alpine Convention and by other member countries of the Alpine Convention (Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Slovenia) and the Association of Alpine States. The Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE, which represents Switzerland in the Alpine Convention, ran the project together with the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps CIPRA. Yoalin contributes to the implementation of the Alpine Convention, which promotes the protection and sustainable development of the Alps.
The young travellers not only journeyed in a climate-friendly way by train, bus or bike, they were also encouraged to maintain a sustainable lifestyle by conserving resources and eating regional food where possible, for example.
As this year’s Yoalin came to an end in Innsbruck on 19 and 20 September 2021, around fifty of the young travellers talked to representatives of the Alpine Convention, the Alpine countries and NGOs on sustainable mobility and tourism, discussing ideas on how to make the Alps a more attractive destination for young people. As in previous years, a jury made up of members of CIPRA Youth Council awarded prizes for the best travel stories and photos.
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Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE
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Federal Office for Spatial Development
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