About EGPN

The European Green Pilgrimage Network (EGPN) is a faith-based network that encourages all stakeholders involved in pilgrim places and sites, from local authorities to faith groups, to work together to green their place of pilgrimage.

​The three founding members are the Diocese of Canterbury in Kent, UK; the Nidaros Pilgrimage Center, Trondheim, Norway; and the Diocese of Linkoping and the Pilgrim Centre in Vadstena, Sweden. 

​From 2017 until 2022, the EGPN will be the advisory partner to the Interreg Project to promote green pilgrimage in Europe. The EGPN is housed by the Diocese of Canterbury and welcomes new members that are committed to promoting ​green pilgrimage practice and sharing their successes with others. ​

'Being a Green Pilgrimage city or town means
far more than just dealing with tourism responsibly: this is an ethos that can have a
​​role in every element of urban
decision-making.'

​– Tony Juniper, former head
​of Friends of the Earth

'Now is the time to harness the power and
potential of pilgrimage to make a positive
​difference in our world.'

​– Taleb Rifai, Secretary General,
​UN World Tourism Organisation

 Aims and objectives of the Network

  • Reduce the environmental impact of pilgrimage
  • Develop thriving green economies supporting local job creation and boosting the local economy
  • Increase pilgrimage, sharing its health and well being benefits with the wider community
  • Build partnerships with faith groups, municipalities, tourist authorities and other secular organisations to encourage the use of renewable energy, low carbon transport, clean water, locally produced food, crafts and accommodation and effective waste collection and recycling
  • Protect and restore biodiversity along pilgrim routes and at pilgrimage sites
  • Set green pilgrimage standards and encourage their adoption across Europe
  • Promote environmental care as a religious responsibility
  • Inspire pilgrims to reconnect with nature and to go home changed, adopting new ways of sustainable living to protect our planet
  • Share pilgrimage’s universal values of hospitality, welcoming the stranger and openness to each other regardless of belief or origin
  • Develop local theologies of green pilgrimage showing how caring for the environment is a religious responsibility

EGPN and the 2017-2022 Interreg Europe Project
The European Green Pilgrimage Network (EGPN) is an advisory partner in the 2017-2022 Interreg Europe Project to promote green pilgrimage in Europe. ​The project will be launched in Canterbury in May 2017 at a meeting hosted by the EGPN.  

Funded by the European Union, other partners are: 
  • Kent County Council (England)
  • Ostergotland County Council (Sweden)
  • Norfolk County Council (England
  • Puglia Region (Italy)
  • South-Trondelag County Authority (Norway)
  • National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism (Romania)

EGPN members 

Members range from Canterbury in the UK
o Trondheim in Norway and Etchmiadzin in Armenia. Members commit to promoting green pilgrimage practice and to growing it locally. They also commit to sharing their successes with others.

​'Be the change you want
​to see in the world.'
​
​– Mahatma Gandhi

History of the EGPN

The European Green Pilgrimage Network grew out of the Green Pilgrimage Network, launched in 2011 in Assisi, Italy. It emerged from asking: 'Why are the world’s holiest places not the world’s cleanest and most cared for places?'
With thanks to Creative Commons photographers. Picture credit, top: Armenian angel  by Ogannes