EUFED e-bulletin

EUFED last Executive Committee meeting was hosted by the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) and took place in Darmstadt on 26 April 2006. Short and medium-term perspectives were discussed. Topics included:

• Role and staffing of EUFED secretariat following the departure of Sue Cassell
• Potential for medium and long term collaboration between Youth Hostelling organisations in Europe
• Preparation for the Edinburgh General Assembly

The Seminar under the theme of "Youth Hostels and Active Citizenship at local, national and European level" was hosted by the Austrian Youth Hostel Association (ÖJHV) and took place from 27th to 28th April at Klagenfurt Youth Hostel.

It involved 20 Youth Hostel Associations and Organisations from 15 EU and Balkan countries; 28 participants and 12 speakers and guests. It was well received by delegates and has generated a number of ideas for funding opportunities for YH Associations such as the following projects:

• Active Citizenship through Sports. More...
• Implementation of different programmes (cultural, environmental...) for young people in Youth Hostels . More...
• Development of national/international, intercultural and intergenerational understanding through cultural activities based in and supported by Youth Hostels and other NGO partners. More...
• Intercultural creativity youth camp gathering 50 young participants on a 7 day programme taking place in a Youth Hostel. More...

www.eufed.org - www.oejhv.or.at

On 1st June 2006, EUFED sent an application to the European Commission for a two-days Seminar to take place on 23rd and 24th November in Edinburgh ahead of EUFED General Assembly.

1. To assist national Associations to consider how they can contribute better to youth mobility.
2. To consider the benefits to young people themselves from international youth mobility, in terms of training and experience.
3. To implement practical measures to encourage youth mobility

A response is expected from the European Commission by July 2006.

EUFED survey on pets in Youth Hostels

Following a request from MOVIJOVEM (the Portuguese Youth Hostel Association) who wished to study the possibility to have an outdoor space for pets (cats and dogs), EUFED gathered information from Member Associations. To read the results of the survey, please click here.

This website serves as a source of information on the EU-wide campaign "For Diversity. Against Discrimination." At the same time you will find background information about the measures that have been initiated by the European Commission's Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities to combat discrimination. Finally, the website provides an update on current anti-discrimination issues and activities in all of the 25 EU Member States. EU information campaign website available in 20 languages

In partnership with the European "TourBench" project, the Royal Award will be granted to tourist accommodation services in Europe in 2006. The Royal Awards for Sustainability have been established to recognise excellence and to promote examples of best practice within sustainable development.

The Royal Award will be granted to tourist accommodation services in Europe in 2006, which:

• have carried out innovative and successful measures in order to reduce their environmental consumption
• monitor their environmental consumption regularly, in particular of energy and water
• are already recipients by an environmental certificate for their management and outstanding performance
• make a significant contribution to social and economic sustainability

Deadline for application: 30 June 2006 ( more information...)
Announcement (english)
Announcement (deutsch)

Since opening up a row of converted cottages at Broadmeadows in May 1931, the SYHA has provided an unrivalled service to walkers, climbers and cyclists, and a haven for children and adults - nationals and visitors alike - to experience the wonders that Scotland has to offer.

Such a milestone deserves a very special celebration and on 2nd May SYHA management, committee and invited members assembled in Traquair to mark the occasion. The lively group, spanning every generation, gathered in the Village Hall before heading off on the well-trodden path across Minchmoor. Setting a good pace to build up an appetite, the group arrived at Broadmeadows for a welcome buffet lunch and a tour of the Hostel as it is today. Later in the afternoon the 75th commemorative plaque was unveiled by Beatrice Morton, the 86 year old sister of founder Scott Morton, and daughter of the late W. Stewart Morton who converted the original four cottages into the Hostel we now know. Miss Morton was delighted to be present at the event and honoured to represent her family whose generosity and foresightedness were invaluable to the organization

Chief Executive, Keith Legge said: “We are delighted to be here at Broadmeadows where it all started and very happy that so many individuals and organisations have come along to help us celebrate this very special occasion.” www.syha.org.uk

SYHA (Scottish Youth Hostel Association) - Edinburgh city break

Edinburgh is a fantastic place for a City Break or a holiday. Scotland’s Capital is always alive, bursting with people and activity. Scottish Youth Hostels Association is offering the chance to enjoy a 3 or 4 night stay at the Edinburgh Eglinton or Edinburgh Bruntsfield Youth Hostels.

Both hostels are centrally situated in the heart of the Capital with easy access to all transport links and provide an ideal base for those wishing to explore the historic city. The City Break will be available to book for individuals and groups from 1st June 2006. www.syha.org.uk

SYHA (Scottish Youth Hostel Association) - Activity Holidays

Get active this summer. Come and explore some of Scotland's finest scenery with SYHA. We offer an exciting range of activity holidays including long-distance walking, hill walking, mountain-biking and pony trekking holidays amidst Scotland's finest scenery. All of our holidays are Hostel-based and are led by fully-qualified leaders. They offer fun-packed, friendly adventure at a price you can afford! www.syha.org.uk

Two youth hostels have become the first UK winners of a top European green award. The Hostels, at Lockton in North Yorkshire and Langdon Beck in the North Pennines Area of outstanding natural beauty, have been awarded the European Ecolabel by Defra, which runs the green scheme in the UK.

The Ecolabel is a top level European Commission award scheme. Environment and Climate Change Minister Ian Pearson said: “I am delighted that the first awards in the UK have been won by the Youth Hostels Association, which has always been at the forefront of providing opportunities for everyone to appreciate the outstanding natural environment of our countryside."

To win the award, both Hostels had to show that they met the highest modern standards in every aspect of their impacts on the environment - from efficient use of energy and water through to staff training about green issues. www.yha.org.uk

YHA will offer accommodation to visitors to the National Forest next year after funding was secured to construct a brand new £3.2 million Youth Hostel. East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), together with LeicesterShire Economic Partnership, has confirmed it will fund YHA National Forest to the tune of £1.78m. This is the final piece in the £3.2m funding jigsaw needed to create the new facility and a camping and caravanning site at Moira, close to the county borders of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Substantial funds have already been committed by the Camping and Caravanning Club and the National Forest Company. The new Hostel will be run by YHA, and will attract an estimated 12,000 overnight stays a year, primarily from schools, youth organisations and families visiting the Forest. Work on the building will begin in October 2006 with the new facilities expected to be open and taking guests by Easter 2007. www.yha.org.uk

YHA E&W (Youth Hostel Association England & Wales) - Youth Hostel Alfriston flushed with success of water system

Guests at YHA Alfriston can ‘go’ green in future after a new system was installed that recycles rainwater from the roof to flush the loos. The rainfall is ‘harvested’ and piped to an underground storage tank before being pumped up into tanks in the attic of the 16th century hostel.

Press was invited to attend the unveiling of the new system, when funding cheques were also presented, at YHA Alfriston, in Frog Firle, at 3.30pm on Thursday April 6. Manager Wendy Nicholls said: “We are delighted to have added this 'green' scheme at Alfriston and by recycling the rain that falls on the hostel we hope to cut our water consumption dramatically. We estimate the new system could save around 400 cubic metres of water a year from the mains, which is about a third of our total consumption and is great news for the environment. We would like to express our thanks to the organisations who kindly donated funding for us to carry out this work as it would not have been possible without them.” Funding for the project was provided in the form of a grant of £8,500 from the South Downs Sustainable Development Fund and £2,000 from South East Water. www.yha.org.uk

On 10th to 15th June 2006, a visit from the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) took place in Romania. The members of the delegations were Mr. Bernd Dohn - CEO of DJH, Mr. Fieber - President of Sachen Anhalt Regional Association, Mr. Dussel - CEO of the region, Mr. Rosner - CEO of Baden-Wurtenberg region, and Mr. Berberich - Vice-President of Baden-Wurtenberg region.

Sachen Anhalt region brought a financial support to the Romanian Youth Hostel Association which will include Hostel Manager trainings in Magdeburg and region for two weeks (6-7 people in several fields) as well as IT support for the YH Romania office. An official meeting was held in Brasov Mayor's office together with a press conference as well as a meeting in Sinaia with the Hostel Managers from all over the country.
www.hihostels-romania.ro