European Hiking Federation (ERA)
The European Hiking Federation (ERA) - Hiking Europe is a non-profit umbrella organisation representing 68 walking and hiking organisations from 35 European countries. ERA promotes healthy physical activity through walking, hiking, and outdoor recreation across Europe, encouraging active lifestyles that are accessible to all generations and social groups. ERA has extensive expertise in health-oriented outdoor sports and recreational activities. The federation coordinates trainers, experts, and volunteers throughout Europe and organises a wide range of initiatives and events, from health-promoting walking programmes to international sporting events and competitions.
ERA’s vision is to be widely recognised throughout Europe as the leading expert on walking-related issues and as a proactive, credible, and reliable partner. Through cooperation with governments, international organisations, local authorities, and civil society partners, ERA promotes healthy lifestyles, mental and physical well-being, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and environmental protection. These objectives are also supported through ERA’s Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe (LQT-BE) programme, which promotes high-quality and sustainable hiking experiences, improves trail standards, and increases the attractiveness of walking and hiking for a broad public audience. The federation also advocates for free and responsible access to nature and the sustainable management of trails.
Within the framework of this Erasmus+ project, ERA will play a key role in educational, awareness-raising, and field activities related to healthy lifestyles, mental health, physical activity, and outdoor recreation for all.
Project teams, staff and experts
Jana Harnochová
SecretariatRole/Tasks in Mountain Games: Two-week “Healthy Lifestyle for All” Campaign Contact Person Project Assistant
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Jana Harnochová serves as the Head of Office of the European Hiking Federation (ERA), where she has many years of experience in administration, communication, and project coordination. She is responsible for supporting ERA’s member organisations, coordinating Erasmus+ projects, and organising European meetings, conferences, webinars, and major international events related to hiking, well-being, sustainable trails, and outdoor activities, including the pan-European hiking event EURORANDO.
Speaking English, German and French, Jana plays a key role in international cooperation and communication. Within the Mountain Games project, she serves as the ERA Project Coordinator.
Joseph Naber
ERA Board member Role/Tasks in Mountain Games: ERA Representative of European Hiking Federation for the Main Event
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Joep Naber is currently board member of ERA. Before this, he was for six years treasurer of this organization. During this time period he was also managing director of the Dutch walking organisation Wandelnet. Joep is known for his curiosity, openness, collaborative spirit, and strong commitment to European cooperation. He has extensive experience working with international organisations and European institutions. Fluent in Dutch, English, and German, with a good command of French, Joep combines his passion for hiking with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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Joep Naber served as Treasurer of ERA from 2017 to 2023 and previously worked as Director of Wandelnet, the Dutch hiking organisation. For the past eight years, he has been teaching in primary education, working with both children with special educational needs and highly gifted pupils.
Under his great passions belong nature, meeting people and hiking adventures.
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As the chairperson of the Youth in the Black Forest Association in Southern Germany, Eva Müller is actively involved in youth development and leadership. She is a certified youth group leader and also serves as a trainer for future youth group leaders. Over the years, she has successfully planned, organised, and delivered several events and activities for children and young people. Her experience combines organisational skills with a passion for creating engaging and educational opportunities for youth.
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Eva Müller has been active as a youth leader since 2019, gaining experience in planning and delivering educational and recreational events for children and families. Since 2022, she has held the position of Chairperson of the Youth in the Black Forest Association, where she contributes to both the organisational and strategic development of the youth work.
ERA's Collaborator - Chairperson of the Youth of the Schwarzwaldverein (Black Forest hiking organisations in Germany)Eva Müller
Role/Tasks in Mountain Games: Representative of European Hiking Federation for the Main Event
Olga Karagianni - Greece
ERA's Collaborator - Andros Roots-
Olga Karagianni is an expert in sustainable tourism and hiking trail development. Since moving permanently to Andros in 2004, she has played a leading role in promoting sustainable hiking tourism on the island. As the driving force behind the Andros Routes project, she has coordinated a large volunteer effort to restore more than 180 km of historic footpaths and transform them into a recognised hiking destination. Olga is also the founder of the successful multi-day “On Foot” Hiking Festival, launched in 2018, and has contributed to regional tourism planning through her work with the Southern Aegean Tourism Observatory, where she helped develop action plans for nature-based and hiking tourism.
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Olga holds a BA in Economics, an MA in Tourism Management, and a PhD in Sustainable Tourism. She has corporate experience in management, commerce, and construction. Since 2004, she has been a co-founder of the non-profit organization Andros Research Center, where she manages local sustainability initiatives, including its flagship project, Andros Routes, established in 2010. She also contributed to the regional action plan for rural and hiking tourism in the South Aegean Region. Her expertise lies in bridging academic knowledge with field research and community action.
Role/Tasks in Mountain Games: Representative of European Hiking Federation for the Main Event- Quality trails expert
Liane Jordan - Germany
Deutscher Wanderverband Service - ERA's collaboratorRole/Tasks in Mountain Games: Representative of European Hiking Federation for the Main Event Quality trails expert
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Liane Jordan is an expert in hiking trail quality, sustainable tourism, and outdoor recreation management. She has extensive experience supporting trail managers, tourism destinations, and hiking organisations in developing high-quality hiking experiences and sustainable trail networks. Her work focuses on trail assessment, quality standards, capacity building, and the adaptation of hiking tourism to emerging environmental challenges, including climate change. Within the Mountain Games project, Liane contributes her expertise in trail quality, sustainable tourism, climate adaptation, and outdoor recreation management.
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Master's Degree in Geography, Responsible for the quality initiatives “Wanderbares Deutschland” and “Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe” (LQT-BE) at the German Hiking Association since 2010, Coordinator of hiking trail training courses and certification programmes in Germany and across Europe, Certified Hiking Guide
Certified Health Hiking Guide, Coordinator of the “Climate-Adapted Quality Transformation” project on resilient hiking tourism and climate adaptation
Folklore dance representativeMartin Janata - Czech Republic
Role/Tasks in Mountain Games: Folklore dance representative
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Martin Janata is an active hiker and a dedicated member of a Czech folklore ensemble, with experience in traditional dance performances and cultural education. Within the Mountain Games project, Martin will lead and support Folklore Dance Educational Workshops together with his dance partner Zuzana, encouraging intergenerational participation and cultural exchange. At the Mountain Games event in Cyprus, he will act as both facilitator and performer, showcasing Czech folk traditions and helping to strengthen connections between physical activity, culture, and community engagement.
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Martin Janata is a university student of Mathematics and Physics education. In addition to his studies, he is an active member of several folklore ensembles, playing the clarinet in both traditional folk and classical music groups. At the Mountain Games event in Cyprus, he will perform as a dancer alongside his partner Zuzana. Martin’s extensive experience in Czech folk dance, music, and pedagogy will directly support the project's goals of promoting physical activity, celebrating cultural heritage, and strengthening community cohesion.
Zuzana Krejzarová - Czech Republic
Folklore dance representativeRole/Tasks in Mountain Games: Folklore dance representative
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Zuzana Krejzarová is an active hiker, dancer and a dedicated folklore enthusiast. While not a formal member of a folklore dance ensemble, she possesses a deep understanding of Czech cultural heritage. At the Mountain Games event in Cyprus, she will support the implementation of the Folklore Dance Educational Workshops. Working alongside Martin, she will serve as a co-facilitator, assisting in leading the sessions and managing the workshops to encourage intergenerational participation and cultural exchange.
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Zuzana Krejzarová is a mechanical engineering student. Apart from her studies, she actively participates in several youth organizations promoting outdoor activities such as climbing and hiking. Furthermore, Zuzana plays the clarinet and is an enthusiastic Czech folk dance and music enjoyer. At the Mountain Games event, she will assist her partner Martin in showcasing Czech folk dance and music. Zuzana's experience will contribute to the event's goals of encouraging physical activity and building connections between participants.