It’s not every day that we stop to reflect on what fundamentally holds the “European Union” together as a political community. That makes it all the more wonderful that you’ve stopped by these web pages.
Who is behind the project "European Values Trail"?
The ‘Europas Value Trail’ is based on an idea from Europa-Union Bayern e. V. and was further developed as part of an ERASMUS+ project in collaboration with the INTERNLINGUA Institute in Lichtenstein.
Want to know more about us?
Europa-Union Bayern e. V.
As part of a Europe-wide federalist movement, we are committed, across party and religious lines, to the peaceful coexistence of the peoples of Europe and democratic political structures based on the rule of law. We call for the further development of the European Union into a Europe of citizens and for its full democratisation in accordance with federal principles (see the European Federalists’ Hertensteiner Program of 1946).
The tasks of our non-profit, volunteer-run organisation include providing information and raising awareness about the cultures, societies and policies of the countries and peoples of Europe, as well as the European Union. To this end, we organise educational trips, information events, exhibitions and workshops. We advocate for democracy and the rule of law at European level, as well as for EU policies that benefit all citizens.
Through our national association, we comment on current European policy affairs, monitor crucial decisions regarding the development of the European Union, and bring our concerns to the attention of local, regional and national policymakers.
Interlingua
Interlingua was established in 1976 to support regional companies and act as a language solution provider in the field of multilingual communication. Thanks to rapid expansion into international markets, industries and service providers were increasingly required to communicate on a global scale. This prompted us to continuously expand our offering of languages and specialist fields. Today, Interlingua has global connections and is the leading provider of translation services in Liechtenstein.
We love the diversity of languages in Europe and the values that Europeans share. Through our work, we facilitate communication and understanding between European nations, thereby contributing to international understanding.
The European Values Trail Project
In 2020, the idea arose to develop an educational trail focusing on the fundamental values of the European Union. The intention was for these information boards to be placed at various locations along walking routes, so that passers-by could learn about the EU’s values and fundamental principles ‘as they walked past’. A bilingual version of the information boards and the website was created for the Bavarian-Czech border region, whilst TH Aschaffenburg produced an English-language version for its campus. A website supplemented the content of the physical information boards with further information and materials for use in school lessons.
Between 2021 and 2025, the boards ‘travelled’ between locations in 46 Bavarian municipalities and, as ‘European political education on the go’, reached many people who otherwise would not necessarily be interested in European politics.
In 2025, the decision was made to relaunch the European Values Trail website as part of the EU’s ERASMUS+ programme and to translate it into English and French. Thanks to funding from the ERASMUS+ programme the idea was brought to fruition.
Who finances the project?
The ‘European Values Trail’ project is funded by the European Union as part of a call for proposals issued by the ERASMUS+ programme. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the funders, without whom we would never have been able to realise such a project. Europa-Union Bayern’s own contribution to the Values Trail project is financed from our income from annual membership fees (€60 per year).
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Contributors
Many hard-working people have contributed to this website, and we would like to express our gratitude and respect to them for their contributions, most of which were made on a voluntary basis:
Team Interlingua (project management and translation):
Angelika Erlacher-Sommerauer, Felix Jaeggi (www.interlingua.li)
Team Europa-Union Bayern (website content):
Dr. Ute Hartenberger, Joachim Kubosch, Georg Fath, Gerhard Luber, Dr. Gabriele Ripka, Janek Simon www.eu-bayern.de
