Adina and Wouter Janssen are two people who are passionate about sustainable living and believe that each of us can contribute to maintaining a healthy planet through even small actions. In the summer of 2023, Adina and Wouter decided to start a project to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project is called Cycle4GlobalGoals and involved a 3,500-kilometre bike tour of Europe, starting in Sibiu and ending in Deventer in the Netherlands (where Wouter is originally from). By raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, the initiators of Cycle4GlobalGoals hope that each person will become an agent of change in their own community.
The tour was a success, and ended on 6 July. Adina and Wouter cycled the 3500 kilometres, sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied by other enthusiastic cyclists on parts of the route. Along the way, the two managed to make presentations at town halls in cities such as Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Vienna, Regensburg, Konstanz, Brilon, 's-Hertogenbosch, Harderwijk, Strasbourg, promoting the ideas behind this adventure. The route could be followed live, online, transmitting information about destinations reached, weather, difficulties encountered along the way.
We asked Adina and Wouter to answer a few questions about the project and we also received a lot of pictures illustrating the great experience that just ended.
1. Tell me something about yourselves. Who are Adina and Wouter Janssen?
We are Adina and Wouter Janssen, two passionate cyclists from Romania (Sibiu) and the Netherlands (Deventer). After living in the Netherlands for several decades, we moved in 2020 to Romania, Șura Mare (Sibiu). In addition to our daily activities, last year we started projects (on a voluntary basis) through the NGO EUphemia.
We started these projects primarily to meet the demand for aid in Romania for Ukrainian refugees, but we have deliberately expanded EUphemia's mission to promote and support the development of social, cultural and educational services/activities.
For more information, please visit our website: EUphemia.
2. What is the Cycle4GlobalGoals project?
Cycle4GlobalGoals is a bike tour of about 3500 km from Sibiu to Deventer, through 10 European countries and no less than 19 Hanseatic cities, with the aim of raising awareness and action on sustainable development. We believe that ambition and courage are needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
We support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in our daily lives we contribute to achieving these goals. However, due to everyday worries, we have noticed that the urgency of the Global Goals is quite low on the political agenda, while the topic is becoming more urgent by the day.
3. How did you come up with this idea?
Inspired by Robert Swan's quote that "the greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it", we felt that we too have a responsibility to do something about it.
Given our foundation's goals, our concern for the future well-being of all, and our passion for cycling, we came up with the Cycle4GlobalGoals (C4GG) project for 2023. We want to make connections between people and cities in a sporty, but above all sustainable way, and highlight local best practices for sustainable development, in the hope that this will lead to even more inspiration to act.
4. How was the route? Did you have a stretch of road that enchanted you more than the rest?
The route was charming. We cycled on many stretches where only a bike could pass. The Natura 2000 areas are true heaven on earth, where nature is at its best. We chose to cycle along the Danube and Rhine rivers on the Eurovelo 6 and 15 bike paths. In the Netherlands we cycled along the Ijssel river to visit some Hanseatic towns, which this year celebrate 800 years of cooperation. We chose to embrace the mentality of Hanseatic towns (such as their ambition and perseverance). Wouter grew up in Deventer and is therefore very familiar with the Hanseatic trading history. The Hanseatic mentality and spirit are things that stay with you forever. The Hanseatic past of a city is still relevant today and can serve as a source of inspiration, for example in sustainable development.
Editor's note: The Hanseatic League was a military and commercial alliance of cities from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea from the late Middle Ages (13th century) to the 17th century. Dutch cities such as Zwolle, Kampen, Hattem, Deventer, Zutphen were part of this league.
5. Did you have any special moments along the way? Can you tell us about them?
Starting from Șura Mare was a special moment. We planted trees in the courtyard of the Andrei Saguna school and headed for Sibiu, where many people and the press gathered in the main square. A delegation from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and a Dutch delegation of entrepreneurs also attended. Sibiu's Deputy Mayor Corina Bokor and Deventer's Deputy Mayor Thomas Walder officially kicked off the tour.
In many cities I've visited we contacted local partners, decision-makers and NGOs. We are very inspired by all the people we met, their stories and projects. For example, in Vienna we had contact with the Dutch Embassy and met people involved in Agendagruppe Lichtental, which has created many beautiful parks in Vienna.
Regensburg, The municipality held an official reception in conjunction with the organisation of Sustainable Week. Mrs. Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer M.A., Mayor of Regensburg welcomed us in the "Voters' Chamber" in the old town hall. At the end, those involved introduced an online barometer in which progress in the field of sustainable development is monitored.
The Ingolstadt The participants were pampered by our friends Ionuț and Gundi with a wellness treatment in Limes-Therme. Here, we had some great whirlpools so that the muscles felt invigorated. In addition to massages, we also had some very delicious meals, so we fully recovered.
The Konstanz, participants were warmly welcomed with a reception in the 15th century Town Hall. We met with local decision makers and associations. The next day we had a very special start at the Rathaus where we set off with several cyclists.
At the end of June I was in the capital of the European Green Deal in Strasbourg. The day started with an official reception by Mrs Sophie Dupressoir, City Councillor in charge of cycling and walking policies at the Strasbourg City Hall, Mr Jean-Baptiste Schiber and Mr Yves Zimmermann. The participants were very grateful for the collaboration, the inspiring discussions and the exchange of knowledge dedicated to sustainable development.
On 6 July, the Grand Final took place: arrival in Deventer. Supported by the accompanying cyclists, family and friends, we felt like we were being carried along by the messages of encouragement and admiration we received throughout the tour. We were so motivated that we set off and cycled even in the strongest summer storm to hit the Netherlands. The welcome in Deventer was magical: the Municipality of Deventer organised an incredibly nice reception and we were warmly welcomed by Mr Ron König, Mayor of Deventer, city officials, NGO representatives, friends and family.
6. What difficulties did you encounter in carrying out this project?
There were times when things may not have gone as we had planned from the start, but through creativity, flexibility and perseverance we managed to achieve what we set out to do.
The bad weather was not a problem at all, as Mr Thomas Walder, deputy mayor of Deventer said "the human body is waterproof, so no water goes through it" 😉
7. If you had to define the development of this project in one sentence, what would it be?
I quote R.W. Emerson "Don't be driven by your problems. Let your dreams lead you!"
Cycle4GlobalGoals envisions a world where bicycles become powerful catalysts for change. By engaging people of all ages and backgrounds, the initiative aims to encourage sustainable modes of transport (walking, cycling and public transport), promote healthy lifestyles and stimulate dialogue on the SDGs. Through this approach, the movement promotes a deep connection between personal actions and their global impact.
An article by Dana Marin
Dana is a blogger and photographer and has lived in the Netherlands for over ten years. She writes about Amsterdam, the Netherlands and her experience as a Romanian in the Netherlands. She enjoys helping people discover her adopted country. She joined Rompro in 2023, coordinating the marketing team.
