MEMBER ASSOCIATION SUPPORT

COVID-19

The impact of Covid-19 will be felt for many months, and even years to come. The climbing industry and outdoor world will be significantly affected. Cancellation of competitions, climbing seasons and expeditions; loss of sponsorship income and other revenue streams; the closing down of huts, hotels, resorts and restaurants (temporary and permanent); restrictions on access and transport; and not to mention the human impact – illness, job losses, financial concerns – present many challenges for those whose livelihood depends on climbing and mountaineering as well as for member associations and the UIAA.

To support the climbing community and for the remainder of 2020, the UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – has allocated the member association component of its Donate page as a fundraising resource for the global climbing and mountaineering community. Any money donated towards ‘Covid-19’ will be placed into the fund. At the UIAA General Assembly (GA) in 2020, the UIAA Management Committee on the recommendation of the CCC Taskforce will nominate a cause or causes for the funds to be directed towards. Details of how the funds are allocated will be communication following the GA.

For further details please contact Carol Kahoun, carol.kahoun@theuiaa.org

SAFETY

ANCHOR CORROSION PROJECT

The UIAA began creating safety standards in 1960 with the testing of ropes. It has since developed standards for over twenty types of safety equipment, including helmets, harnesses and crampons. UIAA Safety Standards are regularly revised and updated by the UIAA Safety Commission to ensure they meet ever-changing nature and demands of the market and climbing and mountaineering world. The Commission constantly reviews mountaineering and climbing accidents to determine if the standards are at a high enough level. Standards are not only revised, brand new standards are frequently introduced

Over recent years the subject of corrosion has been a significant concern for the research arm of the UIAA Safety Commission (SafeCom). Commission members and external experts have invested significant time and resources into collecting data from climbers and running analysis of samples of faulty anchors. Read more here. SafeCom would appreciate your support in its efforts to revise the Standards related to anchor corrosion. Donations will support SafeCom in running more analysis and conduct further research.

Further details on the UIAA Safety Standards can be found here.

SUSTAINABILITY

2020-2021 UIAA MOUNTAIN PROTECTION AWARD

The UIAA Mountain Protection Award (MPA) was created in 2013. During its seven years of existence, the annual MPA has made a tangible difference to mountain lives, communities and the environment. It has enabled people to raise finances to build key infrastructures, conduct vital research and fulfil pending goals; it has provided an international showcase and communication platform for projects to raise awareness and exchange ideas and initiatives. Not only has it supported local communities, it has fostered its own global community. The Award celebrates innovation and a desire to make a difference.

You can help support the 2020-2021 MPA as a whole. Donations will be used to increase the prize money, allowing representatives of the prize runner-up and the best new initiative to be invited to the UIAA General Assembly together with the overall project winner. Alternatively, by using the comments box, you can also select a specific MPA nominee to support. Covid-19 is likely to have a significant impact on the financial resources of MPA projects. Your support could really make a difference.

Further details on the UIAA Mountain Protection Award can be found here.
The nomination phase for the 2020 Award is open. However, owing to Covid-19, the assessment phase and award ceremony will take place in 2021.

UIAA Community

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