Alpine Connections: This year marked an extraordinary milestone for our president, Kilian Jornet, who completed the remarkable traverse of 82 peaks in the Alps in just 19 days. This impressive feat laid the foundation for the Alpine Connections project, a groundbreaking initiative that allowed the Kilian Jornet Foundation to explore the challenges and threats facing Alpine environments. Through this project, we collaborated with glaciologists, athletes, environmental associations, and other key partners to evaluate the current state of the Alps and emphasize the critical importance of preserving their natural value. The project culminated in an interactive map, now available on our website, which highlights the beauty of the Alps while showcasing ongoing projects aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change in these fragile ecosystems.

In addition, this year saw the launch of the Permapyrenees project, part of the POCTEFA program. By partnering with scientific research groups and universities specializing in permafrost studies, we are investigating the effects of climate change on permafrost and how its degradation is impacting mountain ecosystems and their stakeholders. For more details and opportunities to engage with this inspiring initiative, visit the newly launched Permapyrenees website.

Furthermore, we continued our collaboration with the ALPALGA project, which focuses on microscopic, often invisible organisms. These organisms play a fundamental role in ecosystems and are at the heart of environmental changes, yet their biodiversity remains largely unknown. ALPALGA seeks to uncover their significance and contribute to a deeper understanding of ecosystem dynamics.

As we reflect on this year, the KJF remains committed to protecting mountain environments and fostering innovative research to combat the effects of climate change. These projects represent vital steps toward safeguarding the future of our mountains and the invaluable natural resources they offer.

We conducted over 26 actions with schools and educational centers, reaching more than 2,000 students. These activities included the development of educational materials aimed at helping youth understand the importance of recycling and effective waste management, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility from an early age. 

Running Minds: One of our standout initiatives was Running Minds, a project launched this year that blends our passion for running with environmental awareness. Through community runs, participants engaged with experts to learn about local ecosystems and environmental challenges. More than 350 people joined these events across the globe, with 8 special gatherings held in celebration of International Mountain Day, drawing in over 250 participants worldwide.

European Week of Winter Sports: We were also proud to kick off the European Week of Winter Sports, a new Erasmus+ Sport EU co-funded project. This initiative focuses on preserving our winters by promoting sustainability in winter sports and ensuring accessibility for everyone.

Athlete Climate Academy: In the outdoor community, the Athlete Climate Academy continued to grow, launching 2 new seasons and reaching a wide audience. Additionally, we developed a new website to serve as a knowledge hub, offering resources and insights to empower the outdoor community in the fight against climate change.

Elevate Earth: Lastly, we hosted 2 Elevate Earth shows in Mallorca and Western States. These events provided a platform to connect with local communities and share critical discussions on the impacts of climate change and the importance of collective action.

In 2024, education and community engagement were at the forefront of our efforts, with initiatives designed to inspire action and create a more sustainable future.

Restore the Trails: This year, we proudly launched the Restore the Trails project, dedicated to restoring mountain trails and degraded natural areas. Through volunteer initiatives, events, and collaborations, the project connected with communities around the world. In 2024, we completed 4 trail restoration actions, with over 60 volunteers joining us to improve and protect natural areas across different countries.

Green Trail Concept: Meanwhile, our Green Trail Concept, an Erasmus+ project, made significant progress. Focused on developing a Certification Scheme for Sustainability in trail running races, this initiative took a major step forward by finalizing key indicators and advancing the development of an IT tool. This tool will enable race organizers to evaluate and enhance their sustainable practices, ensuring that trail running events become more environmentally responsible.

These projects reflect our ongoing commitment to preserving natural spaces and promoting sustainability within the outdoor sports community.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who walked alongside us this year, and to our partners for helping make it a success! While we face challenges ahead, we know that community action will drive the change we need. Let’s keep moving forward together! 

@nnormal_official – @upclearglobal – @atma – @everide – @lefrik – @mountainmoments – @1%fortheplanet – @bcorpspain – @elementerre