The Central Mountains project had a visible and meaningful presence at the Economic Forum in Karpacz (3–5 September 2025), one of the most important political and economic events in Central Europe. The participation of project representatives, partners, and invited experts created valuable space for presenting results, exchanging experiences, and fostering new partnerships in support of the integrated development of mountain regions.
Dedicated Panel within the “Europe of the Carpathians” Conference
As part of the “Europe of the Carpathians” Conference, a dedicated panel was held focusing entirely on the Central Mountains project. The session was moderated by Dawid Lasek, project coordinator and representative of the Association of the Carpathian Euroregion.
The panel featured contributions from project partners:
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Sándor Koleś – Carpathian Foundation (Hungary)
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Katarína Čadilová – Association of Regional Brands (Czech Republic)
as well as project stakeholders:
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Prof. Marek Cierpiał-Wolan – President of Statistics Poland
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Piotr Pilch – Deputy Marshal of the Podkarpackie Region
The session included presentations of:
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the main goals and objectives of the Central Mountains project,
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preliminary results of pilot actions carried out in partner countries,
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the concept of Cross-Border Functional Areas (CBFAs) as an innovative tool for integrated planning and development of mountain areas on both sides of the border.
Particular attention was given to the need for data-driven decision-support systems and integrated spatial management models tailored to the context of mountain regions in Central Europe.
Cooperation with Alpine Pearls – A Long-Term Perspective
A highlight of the project’s presence in Karpacz was the official signing of a cooperation agreement between the Association of the Carpathian Euroregion and the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation Alpine Pearls.
Alpine Pearls, already a project partner within Central Mountains, brings together Alpine municipalities that promote sustainable mobility and tourism in mountain regions. The signed agreement reaffirms both sides’ commitment to continue and further develop their cooperation beyond the lifetime of the project.
This partnership also marks an important step toward building a Carpathian–Alpine alliance to support joint initiatives, share knowledge, and strengthen the voice of mountain regions at the European level.
New Opportunities for Knowledge Exchange and Strategic Cooperation
The event in Karpacz also provided opportunities to strengthen international contacts and engage in dialogue with representatives from academia and other mountain regions. A particularly valuable exchange took place with Prof. Grigoris Zariotiadis from the University of Economics in Thessaloniki, who brought a Mediterranean perspective to the discussion on the future of Europe’s mountain areas.
A day earlier, during the Forum of Regions, the project coordinator participated in a debate on the future of Euroregions, presenting Central Mountains as an example of a modern, cross-border and territorially integrated development approach.
Next Steps for the Project
In the coming months, the Central Mountains project will focus on:
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promoting and disseminating the results of pilot actions,
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implementing the developed tools in practice,
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strengthening interregional dialogue – also in the context of future Interreg programmes.