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Annual Congress 2025

8 September from 14:00 to 13 September from 11:00 Switzerland/ Melchtal

  

Welcome to the website of EGEA Annual Congress 2025. Here we will show you our plans for the congress and provide you with all the information you need. We will update it regularly, please give us some time to work on the specific sections.

Greetings from EGEA Zürich, Jena and Halle 🙂

Topic
Programme
Location
Travel Guide
Sponsors
Registration & Open Calls
Winter hike after our first visit of the accommodation (01.02.2025)
Our first live meeting in Jena (08.-10.11.2024)
Our second live meeting in Bühl, southern Germany (24.-27.04.2025)

Topic: Geographies of celebration

The World Economic Forum takes place every yeear in Davos. (Image – weforum.org)
The Paléo Festival Nyon is one of the biggest festivals in Switzerland with over 300’000 visitors annually (Image – paleo.ch)
Weltklasse Zürich is an annual, invitation-only, world-class track and field meeting in Zurich. One of the first large-scale international athletics events, it is sometimes referred to as the one-day Olympics (Image – weltklassezuerich.ch).
The Street Parade is a techno music festival in Zurich, Switzerland. With around one million attendees, it is the world’s most attended technoparade (Image – streetparade.com)
The Locarno International Film Festival takes place every year, usually in August. The festival began in 1946 and over the years, it turned to be the name and home of artistic films, full length films, documentaries and more (Image – locarnofestival.ch)

Large events – be it in sports, culture, or entertainment – are transformative moments for cities and communities. They bring people together, celebrate shared experiences, and place their host regions in global spotlight. Yet, these grand celebrations often come with significant challenges. The immense investment in infrastructure, resources, and finances frequently contrasts with the long-term impact, raising critical questions about sustainability and equity.
From abandoned stadiums and altered cityscapes to environmental degradation and displaced communities, the aftermath of large events can linger long after the applause fades. Do the promises of economic growth and urban development truly outweigh the costs?
Our exploration dives deep into these pressing issues, examining how major events reshape infrastructure, influence local economies, and impact the environment. Through an interdisciplinary lens – spanning human and physical geography, remote sensing, and GIS – we will uncover the ripple effects of large-scale gatherings on host cities and landscapes.
By bringing together experts, students, and stakeholders from diverse fields, we aim to develop innovative strategies for event planning and management – ones that ensure lasting benefits for host communities while minimizing negative impacts.

Participant fee

Fee to be paid (in %)AC 2025 fee (in EUR)
Group A100210
Group B80168
Group C65136.5
Group D50105
Insights on how the Annual Congress’ fee has been calculated, can be found in the official EGEA documents (APPENDIX C).

🇦🇹 Austria

🇧🇪 Belgium

🇫🇮 Finland

🇫🇷 France

🇩🇪 Germany

🇮🇹 Italy

🇱🇹 Lithuania

🇲🇹 Malta

🇳🇱 Netherlands

🇳🇴 Norway

🇸🇮 Slovenia

🇪🇸 Spain

🇨🇭 Switzerland

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

🇭🇷 Croatia
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇵🇱 Poland
🇷🇴 Romania
🇷🇺 Russia
🇸🇰 Slovak Republic
🇹🇷 Türkiye

🇷🇸 Serbia

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇽🇰 Kosovo
🇺🇦 Ukraine

Programme

Workshops

Circular Economy

Explore the effectiveness of different bottle recycling systems in Europe.

Social impact from large events

Explore the impact a large event like the Olympic Games have on the local community.

Climate change and Alpine sports

Explore how climate change affects Alpine sports and e.g. the Olympic Winter Games.

Economic impact from large events

Investigate how much a country profits from large events or if it is more of a financial burden.

Spatial planning of large events

Explore how spatial planning can aid a successfull completion of a mega-event like the Eurovision Song Contest.

The (economic) cycle of water

Explore how water is used and recycled over its course in a stream.

Drop it low on pastures

Investigate the impact a music festival has on the pasture soils on which it is held.

Spying out megastructures

Explore the infrastructure remaining from large events with aerial images.

Animals in shock

How do large events (e.g., solar eclipse, new years eve) affect animal behaviour?

Trainings

Come Soon!

Excursions

❗❗❗The following excursions are subject to change. They will be specified and supplemented in the following weeks❗❗❗

Lucerne stadium and urban development

This excursion takes you to the city of Lucerne. The Swissporarena, the venue for the Women’s World Cup 2025, will be visited on a guided tour. As a Minergie® stadium, the Swissporarena is of particular interest when it comes to addressing the sustainability of major events. The entire site was also built with residential towers, other sports facilities and shopping facilities, making it an interesting illustrative example of urban development around locations for major events. The overall development of the city of Lucerne is also covered in a city tour.

Surface waters Lucerne

This excursion is organized in collaboration with the Water and Soil Section of the Canton of Lucerne. The use of the Rotsee for rowing and as a local recreation area will be discussed and how this affects the ecology of the Rotsee. The excursion will be led by Anna Czerniejewska from the Canton of Lucerne.

Tourism & Sport in Engelberg

During this excursion, Engelberg will be visited and various topics relating to top-class sport and tourism will be highlighted. This will be done, for example, with a guided tour of various sports facilities and the Engelberg Sports Middle School, which promotes young talent in top-class sport. Spatial planning challenges for the region’s sports infrastructure will be discussed, which is highly topical due to the construction of the new Titlis mountain station.

Glacial landforms of Switzerland (Hard-Hike)

This excursion leads from Melchsee-Frutt to Trübsee (Engelberg). Various glacial landforms will be discussed along the way (valley forms, lakes). The impact of climate change on the few remaining glaciers (Titlis glacier) will also be highlighted.

Biodiversity Melchsee-Frutt

During this guided tour by an expert, various topics relating to biodiversity on Melchsee-Frutt and the surrounding area are highlighted. Topics include the reintroduction of bearded vultures and the biodiversity of Alpine wetlands.

The Aare Gorge

Soil Sciences

On this excursion we will compare and examine the different soils on Melchsee-Frutt using simple methods. The different soils include those from a wetland, alpine meadow, shallow karst soil, soil on which ski slopes run in summer. Certain chemical values (pH) and physical values (granularity) are considered and discussed.
We would like to take up the topic of soil protection in the Alpine region – with a focus on the soil as a climate reservoir, insights into the physical, chemical and biological properties of Alpine soils and the soil as a resource between nature conservation and winter sports.

Location

region Melchtal

Our congress will take place in the Melchtal which is situated in the geographic centre of Switzerland ca. 80 km south of Zurich. The valley shaped by the river Melchaa is surrounded by beautiful mountain formations and nearby lakes. The Melchtal is famous for being the supposed origin of Arnold von Melchtal, one of the three legendary founders of Switzerland, according to the country’s founding myth.

Accommodation

With the Sportcamp Melchtal we found an ideal venue for our congress with a breathtaking mountain view. Located 890 m above sea level, it offers everything we need: A spacious hall for GA sessions and evening events, multiple workshop rooms, and many outdoor possibilities. Whether you’re exploring nature trails, unwinding in the fresh alpine air, or getting active on the sport courts with volleyball or bouldering, Sportcamp Melchtal combines relaxation with adventure, making it an inspiring setting for every part of our programme.

Sportcamp Melchtal (Image – sportcamp.ch)
Sportcamp Melchtal (Image – sportcamp.ch)
Sportcamp Melchtal (Image – sportcamp.ch)
Sportcamp Melchtal (Image – sportcamp.ch)
Sportcamp Melchtal (Image – sportcamp.ch)

Around Melchtal

Adress of the accomodation :
Fruttstrasse 36, 6067 Melchtal, Switzerland

Travel guide

The congress starts with the registration at 11 am on Monday, 08th of September 2025, followed by the opening ceremony at 2 pm. Make sure to arrive on time! After one week of great experiences it is time to say goodbye after breakfast on Saturday 13th of September 2025. We recommend using the same way back.

Note that Switzerland has its own currency, the Swiss franc CHF (1 EUR ~ 0.95 CHF), but you can usually pay by card. At the congress you can pay in Euro.

Public transportation in Switzerland is a convenient and reliable way of getting around, which is why we recommend that you use it for your travels. Below you will find our suggestions for the various means of transport to and from the congress venue.

If you are travelling by train to the AC2025 your destination is the village of Sarnen.

There are several ways to reach Sarnen by train, for example RE7 or IR15 from Bern or IR70 and IR75 from Zürich. If you take the train from Zürich or Bern you need to change in Luzern to PE or S5. You can search for connections in the SBB Mobile App or on the website of the Swiss Federal Railway company SBB. As Switzerland is part of the European Youth Pacts, people up to the age of 26 receive discounts – for example, a group ticket for four people for 80 CHF in total for a whole day. You can find the best international train connections on comparison portals such as Trainline. The fastest train connections can be found on the EuroCity website. There are also student discounts there. We recommend using the SBB Mobile App to stay updated on track changes etc.

From Sarnen you have to take the Postal Busservice B 343 to Stöckalp and leave at the stop Melchtal, Sportcamp to get to the accommodation. We will later provide a sheet with the departure times, where you can sign up for and distribute to the various bus reservation we made for you.

The nearest Flixbus stop to Melchtal is Luzern, but Zug and Zürich are also possible. From there you have connections to Milan, France and Germany. You can also find cheap buses outside of Flixbus, for example on apps like Trainline. Sometimes you can get some student discounts on different national and international student discount websites (E.g. Studentenrabatt in Germany).

Check the section by train (and bus) for further information on how to get to the accommodation after reaching the major cities in Switzerland.

You can also drive to Sportcamp Melchtal by car, there are plenty of parking spaces. We recommend driving in groups and will later publish a carpooling sheet where you can find other EGEAns carpoolers.

Important: To use Swiss highways, you need a Vignette. They are only available for one year (01.01.2025 – 31.01.2026) and cost 40 CHF (44 EUR). You can buy them online or at service stations near the border. 

The accommodation is located in the Swiss Alps, so it is the easiest way to get to Switzerland from the north, e.g. via international roads from southern German cities such as Freiburg, Stuttgart and Munich, but also from France and Austria.

If you have made it to Switzerland, the direct way to AC2025 is via highway 2, which connects Basel and Luzern. Coming from Zurich, you can take highway 14 and highway 4 to enter onto highway 2. Please keep in mind the speed limit of 120 km/h. Speeding Tickets are very expensive. I mean it’s Switzerland, what did you expect? If you drive pass Luzern, take highway 8 Junction Lopper to Interlaken until you reach Sarnen. From Sarnen you can take the cantonal road to Melchtal. The speed limit for main roads/highways is 100 km/h, for cantonal roads 80 km/h.
There is a barrier from the ski area in front of the entrance to the sportcamp, this should be open, otherwise you can take a ticket and validate it (for free) at the accommodation.

If you want to fly to AC2025, the nearest airports with suitable connections are Zurich (ZRH) or Basel-Mulhouse (the only airport with three codes: BSL in Switzerland, MLH in France, EAP in Germany). After arriving at the airport you can use the public transportation to Sarnen and to the accommodation. The cheapest airlines reaching Swiss airports are WizzAir and RyanAir. Use websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights to find the cheapest flights.

🌳To protect the environment, please check the other travel options before you book a flight, or consider traveling only one way by plane and the other by alternative modes of transport.

Registration & Open Calls

We offer 200 spots for participants, incl. fixed places for official positions.

Below you will find the forms for the official registration and the open calls! If you are applying to lead a workshop or training please do not forget to fill in the registration form for participation as well!

Do you need financial support to attend the congress?
Consider applying for the support fund below.

➡️ Log in with your EGEA account to access the information below.

Sponsors

We would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support, without which we would not be able to realize this event.

Esri is the world’s leading provider of Geographic Information System (GIS) software and geospatial technologies. Esri Switzerland actively supports education and innovation in spatial sciences and has been a long-standing sponsor of EGEA. We are especially happy that this partnership continues with their support of AC2025. Their contribution helps promote spatial thinking and practical geodata skills among young geographers from across Europe. Many thanks to Esri Switzerland for their continued trust and collaboration.
EGEA Zurich has been supported by the University of Zurich (UZH) for many years, and we are happy that this support continues for AC2025. Special thanks go to the Department of Geography (GIUZ), the President’s Service, and the Faculty of Science (MNF), whose combined contributions help us realise the congress. Their support enables meaningful exchange between students and strengthens the link between science and society. We truly appreciate the collaboration and continued trust in our work.
The Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) and its network of experts bring their knowledge into politics, administration and business. They support collaboration of different scientific disciplines and young academics as the members of EGEA are. We want to thank the SCNAT for their engagement for our congress and for a sustainable society and science. The Platform Geosciences of the SCNAT brings together scientific communities in earth sciences and topics relevant to the environment and society. Through their support of AC2025, the platform helps foster exchange between young geographers and the broader geoscience community. We are thankful for their contribution and shared interest in strengthening geoscience dialogue across generations.
The Swiss Soil Science Society (Bodenkundliche Gesellschaft der Schweiz) promotes the study, protection, and sustainable use of soils through research, teaching, and collaboration. It brings together professionals from agriculture, environmental science, and academia to better understand one of our most vital natural resources. With their support for AC2025, the BGS helps highlight the importance of soil in geography and beyond. We warmly thank the society for encouraging young people to explore and value the ground beneath our feet.
The SGHL (Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Hydrologie und Limnologie) connects researchers working on water-related topics, from mountain hydrology to lake ecosystems. It supports interdisciplinary knowledge exchange in hydrology and limnology and promotes sustainable water management practices. Their support of AC2025 strengthens the water-related aspects of our program and encourages young geographers to dive deeper into aquatic systems. Many thanks to SGHL for supporting curiosity and collaboration in this essential field.
UZH Alumni is a network of graduates and former students of the University of Zurich (UZH). Through conferences, online meetings, and travel opportunities, the organization offers not only an ideal platform to stay connected after graduation but also opportunities for further education. At the same time, UZH Alumni provides a wide range of advisory services on starting a career and exploring job opportunities, and also assists with job placement.
EGEA Jena has been closely connected to the Institute of Geography at the University of Jena for many years. We are very happy that this connection continues with the institute’s support of AC2025. With its strong focus on human-environment interactions and applied research, the institute provides an inspiring academic home for young geographers. We sincerely thank the Institute of Geography for supporting student exchange and international collaboration through this congress.
The Chair of Social Geography is part of the Institute of Geography at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The chair is held by Junior Professor Dr. Simon Runkel. Research at the Professorship of Social Geography in Jena focuses on political social geography, which combines a strong foundation in social theory with empirical analysis of current issues related to socio-political change. Teaching places particular emphasis on encouraging students to critically and reflectively engage with and discuss contemporary socio-political topics.
PLANAR is a Swiss engineering and GIS consulting firm with expertise in geoinformatics, hydrology, and environmental planning. The company applies spatial data to solve complex challenges across public and private sectors. Their support for AC2025 highlights the value of connecting academic geography with practical applications. We are grateful to PLANAR for enabling young geographers to exchange knowledge and grow professionally. Thank you for your commitment to the next generation.
r. c. Bauberatungen is a Swiss consulting company specialised in building planning, safety, and project management. Their practical approach to construction makes them a valuable voice in interdisciplinary collaborations. We appreciate their support for AC2025, which helps us realise a well-organised and safe event. Small-scale sponsorships like this one make a big difference. Thank you for contributing to a solid congress foundation.
geoformer is a Swiss geoinformation company offering services in mapping, cartography, and spatial analysis. They translate geographic knowledge into accessible and visually compelling products. We are glad to count geoformer among our sponsors. Their support highlights the creative potential of geography in the digital age. Thank you for helping us visualise and communicate our world more clearly.
Allianz Partners is a global leader in insurance and assistance. Their engagement for safe travels helps bring students from across Europe together safely. We want to thank Allianz Partners for their contribution to a successful congress. Thank you to Allianz Partners for supporting AC2025. As a global leader in travel insurance and assistance, their contribution helps bring students from across Europe together safely.
We would also like to thank all individual supporters for their generous contributions, which help make this congress a truly European and inclusive event.

Contact us

Mail: ac2025@egea.eu
Instagram: @ac25.egea

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