Navarra, plans for investment in Camino routes

[Kirkie]

I have not had time to read this yet, but my spy on the ground tells me it outlines what it says on the tin, including a comment on the issue of how to improve the descent around Zubiri. I have no doubt that those who can't read Spanish can use deepl or any other translator of your choice.

https://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/s...fia-camino-santiago-paso-navarra-8950282.html

 

[Anhalter]

Have to say, I am a bit sceptical, when i look at the "improvements" to the way done in the past. Just paving the way in concrete, that is far from the ideal walking surface, is not the only option available.

The rest reads like the typical bull*it you have to do to get EU funds.

financed by the European Union, through the Next Generation funds, called ACD (Destination Cohesion Options) 5 Roads, which seeks to create a greener and more sustainable path, energy-efficient, digitally advanced and more experiential, attractive, inclusive and more accessible.

edit: just to be clear, i have nothing against improvements being made to the Camino. The dreaded descent to Zubiri needs that like few other places on the way. I just fear they'll go for the easiest option available (again).

 

[Kathor1]

The rest reads like the typical bull*it you have to do to get EU funds.

The "Next Generation funds" - the manna that has fallen on the EU countries as a consequence of the economic disaster that followed from the Corona virus pandemic. Spain has been allocated a large share of these billions of euros.

And instead of painting a dark picture fuelled by skepticism, why not trying to find out whether the actors of the civic society, such as the Camino associations and similar associations of citizens, in the region Navarra have an input into the plans for investing public money into Camino related areas for improvement? Or whether they have such options for input but don't make use of it because they don't know or are not interested and how this participation could be improved? Including input from the international community? It would need organising, obviously, ...

 

[Kirkie]

The "Next Generation funds" - the manna that has fallen on the EU countries as a consequence of the economic disaster that followed from the Corona virus pandemic. Spain has been allocated a large share of these billions of euros.

And instead of painting a dark picture fuelled by skepticism, why not trying to find out whether the actors of the civic society, such as the Camino associations and similar associations of citizens, in the region Navarra have an input into the plans for investing public money into Camino related areas for improvement? Or whether they have such options for input but don't make use of it because they don't know or are not interested and how this participation could be improved? Including input from the international community? It would need organising, obviously, ...

I like your proposal in the second paragraph.
I will ask my second contact person, employed in the relevant Navarra government department, about that.
Another comment, from my spy on the ground was that they will not use concrete for the Zubiri stretch.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Thanks @Kirkie. I guess 'improvements' are in the eye of the beholder. For example I am all for safety initiatives, so long as they do not destroy the very features which make the camino so special. (Thinking of the already excessive use of limestone and concrete). As for"improving energy efficiency and lighting of tourist and monumental heritage, within which 1,252,000 euros have already been awarded" - whilst I'm all for improving energy efficiency, personally the most 'efficient' use of the lights is to switch them off altogether. Mother nature already provides us with two sources of illumination.

Then you could spend that 1.25 million euros on providing toilet facilities. Far more beneficial to the environment.
Yes, I know it wouldn't go far and yes I know somebody's still needs to service them - but it would be a great start.