Under the motto “75 Years of Naturefriends International – 75 years of commitment to a future worth living’’, the 11th Annual Conference of Naturefriends International (NFI) took place on 27 September 2025 in Timișoara, Romania. This special gathering marked a significant milestone in the history of NFI, founded in 1950 in Switzerland, and celebrated not only the organisation’s achievements but also its evolving mission in the face of global challenges.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day on September 27, Naturefriends International is highlighting the transformative potential of tourism as a powerful driver of positive social and environmental change.

How can we support young people in actively engaging with a future worth living – with positive images and a shared vision for a good life? This question is at the heart of our project ‘SDGs in Motion’, in which young people become part of the change themselves through their own actions related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – through sport, art and creative leisure activities. One such person is pianist Chiara Schmidt, who transformed the high alpine landscape of the Hohe Tauern National Parc into a place of musical and emotional encounter.

Whether you're admiring stunning landscapes from a train window, discovering hidden natural gems while hiking, cycling through remote villages, gliding silently across the water in a kayak, or chatting with locals on a bus – traveling without using a plan allows you to experience nature, culture, and people in an intense and climate-friendly way. Travel sustainably – capture the moment and win great prizes!

On the occasion of the World Environment Day, Naturefriends International is drawing attention to the importance of an intact natural environment for people and the economy. A functioning ecosystem is an indispensable basis for tourism. This year's focus on ‘plastic pollution’ once again emphasizes the urgency of concrete measures – also in the travel and leisure industry.

Calling all hiking enthusiasts! Naturefriends International, together with its partners, has developed the ‘Climate Hikes Guideline’ and accompanying training materials as part of the Climate Hikes project. They combine the joy of hiking with raising environmental awareness. With this wealth of tools, you can develop your own Climate Hike on environmental topics of your choice and adapt it to different target groups.

We are thrilled to share the 2024 Climate Fund Impact Report, showcasing the remarkable efforts of our Naturefriends organizations in Senegal and Mali. Their impactful work is not just outlined in words but also brought to life in captivating videos.

In 2024, the focus of the Climate Fund's activities was on planting fruit trees—an endeavor that has taken root in both countries. 

On International Women's Day, the 8th of March, Naturefriends International (NFI) draws attention to the precarious working situation of girls and women in global tourism and the need for effective measures and tasks to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. Unfortunately, equal rights, power and chances are far from being a reality in tourism.

Over 700 Naturefriends Houses exist worldwide in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The first Naturefriends House was opened in 1907 at the Padasterjoch in the Stubai Alps, Austria, marking the beginning of a movement to provide the working class with access to affordable recreation in nature. Over time, these houses became symbols of solidarity, environmental protection and socially sound tourism.