Mountain Meitheal was placed second in the European Rambler Association’s ECO Award. Mountain Meitheal was the smallest organisation entered with the winner a 90,000-member organisation from Germany. Ms. Lis Nielsen, European Rambler Association (ERA) President presented MM chairperson, Robert Grandon with a certificate and €1,000 in prize money on Sunday, 23 October in Glendalough during a Mountain Meitheal work day.

Robert Grandon, accepting the award, said it "was a reflection on the great effort the volunteers give. To be recognised at a European level is wonderful". He also expressed his gratitude to Mountaineering Ireland for making them aware of the competition and encouraging them to enter.

Karl Boyle, MI’s Chief Officer said "this recognition is no less than the members of Mountain Meitheal deserve and it demonstrates how a small group of volunteers can make such a positive impact".

The competition is now an annual competition organised by the European Rambler Association (ERA) and sponsored by Foundation GDF Suez.

Ms. Lis Nielsen’s visit also provided an opportunity for MI and the ERA to discuss issues common across Europe. She highlighted the ERAs encouragement for youth development, work in Germany on a common equality standard for marked walking routes and examples of access issues in many European countries.