Lavinistika
LAVINISTIKA – Avalanche safety for all (Erasmus+ Sport)
LAVINISTIKA is an Erasmus+ Sport project co-funded by the European Union (Project No. 101185311). The project runs for 24 months (December 2024 – December 2026) and is coordinated by Ecosystem Europe (Bulgaria), together with Bulgarian Extreme and Free Skiing Association (Bulgaria) and Österreichische Gesellschaft für Schnee und Lawinen – ÖGSL (Austria). The project is also supported by other organisations, including Alpenverein Austria and the Snow Institute.
Over the last decade, ski touring and freeride activities have become more accessible and popular—yet this also increases exposure to avalanche risk. In an avalanche accident, time is critical: survival chances drop sharply after about 15 minutes (recent studies show that is even shorter) under the snow. That’s why companion rescue skills, smart decision-making, and the right safety equipment are essential.
Teenagers and young adults are particularly at risk: peer influence, social media, and a tendency to underestimate hazards can lead to poor choices in the backcountry. LAVINISTIKA addresses this with practical, youth-friendly education—accessible, digital, and adapted to local realities.
Objectives
- Teach young people how to assess avalanche risk and react appropriately in emergencies
- Make avalanche education freely available in digital formats
- Strengthen cooperation between avalanche- and mountain-safety organisations across borders
Key activities & outputs
- Train 12 volunteers in avalanche safety and companion rescue
- Produce 10+ educational videos (subtitled in multiple languages)
- Develop and provide youth-friendly avalanche education that is accessible, digital, and tailored to local realities (language, culture, terrain, and available resources).
- Reach 100,000+ people via social media and welcome 100 participants at a final event in Sofia
- Collaborate with alpine clubs, rescue services, and mountain-safety partners
Project Partners
Supporting Partner
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
