Romea Strata General Assembly 2026: the european route network grows in Kraków

On May 11 and 12, 2026, the European Association Romea Strata gathered in Kraków, Poland, for its General Assembly. This was a major milestone, marking the first time the assembly was held outside of Italy—a symbolic moment in the international growth of the route.

Organized by UKEN University and hosted by the St. John Paul II Center for Intercultural Dialogue, the assembly brought together partners, associations, and institutions from various European countries, confirming that the Romea Strata is increasingly becoming a living, dynamic, and shared network.

A meeting that shapes the future of the Romea Strata

The assembly days in Kraków were much more than just an official, institutional event. Workshops, meetings, discussions, and city tours created an authentic space for dialogue and collaboration, allowing people from different cultures and regions to share ideas, experiences, and a common vision. The atmosphere throughout the assembly powerfully reflected the deepest meaning of the Romea Strata project: building connections between people and communities through walking, while showcasing European cultural heritage and promoting a slow, sustainable tourism capable of forging meaningful relationships. During the sessions, special attention was dedicated to cross-border cooperation, engaging the younger generations, and developing new joint projects for the future of the route.

A European network that keeps expanding

Today, the Romea Strata network boasts 59 members and continues to expand, particularly across Central and Eastern Europe. In the last six months alone, six new members have joined the association—a concrete sign of the growing interest in the project and the values it represents. The certification as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe has given a new boost to the network’s growth, strengthening existing international collaborations and opening up new opportunities for shared development. However, what truly makes this journey special is the daily commitment of local partners and communities who believe in the Romea Strata. They work every day to build something tangible together: a European itinerary made not just of places and paths, but above all of relationships, participation, and a shared vision.

Building the route, together

The General Assembly concluded with a press conference at the Italian Cultural Institute in Kraków, where the Romea Strata project was presented to the Polish media. These were two intense days, rich in content but even richer in human connections, reaffirming once again the strength of this continuously growing European network. Returning home, the shared feeling was that of building something that goes far beyond a simple cultural route: a European community walking together, step by step.

Watch the press conference.