Rostyslav Savchyn Unsplash
Project overview
From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe
The Alps and Carpathians are important natural corridors that connect many central European countries. Unfortunately, cooperation across borders often lacks a joint vision in mountain areas. To change this, the Central Mountains project designed and implemented a joint strategy and regional action plans to create amongst others cross-border functional areas. By improving governance structures, processes and operations, the partners sustainably improved cooperation among Alpine-Carpathian regions.
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2,33m €
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Project Budget
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80%
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of the Budget is funded by ERDF
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7
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Countries
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10
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Regions
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11
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Partners
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6
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Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
Mountain regions across Central Europe face similar challenges, including climate change, demographic decline, sustainable tourism management and the need for stronger cooperation between public authorities, local communities and stakeholders.
The CENTRAL MOUNTAINS project helped address these challenges by testing new approaches to participatory governance in mountain areas. Partners from seven countries worked together with regional authorities, NGOs, businesses and local communities to develop practical solutions that can continue to be used after the project.
The project delivered a Joint Strategy, four Action Plans, three practical Toolboxes and six Pilot Actions, providing ready-to-use methods for citizen participation, cross-border cooperation, sustainable tourism and long-term governance of mountain regions.
These results remain available to public authorities, regional organisations, NGOs and other stakeholders looking for practical solutions to strengthen cooperation and support the sustainable development of mountain areas.
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
Rzeszów County
Jednostka samorządu terytorialnego (a local government unit)
Project partner
Total partner budget
358,480 €
Total partner budget
199,200 €
Total partner budget
205,060 €
Total partner budget
147,800 €
Total partner budget
149,800 €
Institute for Regional Development
Total partner budget
192,110 €
Total partner budget
200,360 €
Total partner budget
208,420 €
Address
Hirschgraben 15 6800 Feldkirch
Country
Austria (AT) Web
https://www.cipra.org/en/about/people/cipra-international-lab
Total partner budget
200,200 €
Total partner budget
184,000 €
Roadmap
1
Why do mountain regions need stronger cooperation?
Mountain areas have unique characteristics and face common challenges. Even well-developed mountain regions such as the Alps are diverse and experience economic and demographic disparities, while others, such as the Carpathians and the Sudetes, are more peripheral. At the same time, all mountain regions share valuable natural and cultural heritage and significant development potential.
The CENTRAL MOUNTAINS project brought together partners from across Central Europe to strengthen cooperation and support the sustainable development of mountain areas through practical governance solutions.
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The challenge
Photo: pixabay
Mountain regions such as the Alps, Carpathians and Sudetes often extend across national borders, making effective cross-border and transnational cooperation essential. Strong cooperation is needed to manage shared natural and cultural resources, support sustainable regional development and involve local communities, including young people, in decision-making.
Many of these challenges cannot be addressed by one country alone and require coordinated action across borders.
3
Our approach
How can mountain regions strengthen cooperation and improve governance to address shared challenges?
The project explored practical governance approaches that encourage cooperation between public authorities, local communities, businesses and civil society across mountain regions.
4
What we delivered
The project developed and tested practical governance models that strengthen cooperation in mountain areas across Central Europe, with a particular focus on cross-border and transnational collaboration.
These approaches resulted in a Joint Strategy, four Action Plans, three Toolboxes and six Pilot Actions that provide practical guidance for public authorities, regional organisations and local stakeholders.
5
Lasting impact
The project strengthened long-term cooperation between public authorities, civil society organisations, businesses and local communities across participating mountain regions.
Partners tested new governance approaches, established cooperation structures and developed practical tools and recommendations that remain available after the project. These results can continue to support sustainable mountain governance, cross-border cooperation and regional development beyond the project lifetime.
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
photo: Strategy Main Page
Joint Strategy for Participatory Governance in Central European Mountain Areas
This Joint Strategy provides a practical framework for strengthening participatory governance and community-led sustainable development in Central European mountain areas. It presents recommendations for improving cooperation between public authorities, local communities and stakeholders, with a particular focus on cross-border and transnational collaboration.
Designed for public authorities, regional organisations, NGOs and other stakeholders, the strategy offers transferable governance approaches that can support sustainable development and long-term cooperation in mountain regions beyond the project lifetime.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Action Plan for Sustainable Tourism in the Carpathians
This Action Plan supports sustainable tourism development in the Carpathians through stronger cooperation between local authorities, tourism organisations and communities.
It provides practical priorities and actions for protecting natural and cultural heritage while improving the attractiveness and resilience of mountain destinations. The recommendations can continue to support tourism planning and cross-border cooperation after the project ends.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Action Plan for the Future Development of Alpine Pearls EGTC
This Action Plan supports the long-term development of the Alpine Pearls EGTC and cooperation among Alpine municipalities and tourism destinations.
It provides guidance on governance, partnerships, financing and project development, helping the network continue joint initiatives and sustainable tourism activities beyond the project period.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Action Plan for Citizen Participation in the Carpathians
This Action Plan strengthens citizen participation and community-led development in the Carpathian region.
It offers practical recommendations for involving citizens, young people and civil society organisations in decision-making processes and supports more inclusive and transparent governance in mountain areas. The proposed actions can be adapted and used by local and regional stakeholders in the long term.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Action Plan for Public-Private Cooperation in the Sudetes
This Action Plan supports cooperation between public authorities, local businesses, regional product producers and tourism providers in the Sudetes.
It presents practical approaches for promoting regional products, developing joint initiatives and strengthening the visibility and competitiveness of mountain areas. The recommendations can support cross-border partnerships and local economic development well beyond the project duration.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Toolbox for Citizen and Youth Participation in Mountain Areas
This toolbox contains practical methods and tools for involving citizens and young people in decision-making processes.
It includes templates, facilitation methods and examples that can be used by local authorities, schools, NGOs and community organisations to design participatory activities and strengthen local engagement in mountain regions. The tools are transferable and can be adapted to different territorial contexts.
Type of output: Solutions
- Toolbox for Citizen and Youth Participation in Mountain Areas
- Questionnaire for Simulation Games
- Youth Participation Canvas Simulation Games
- School Participation Worksheet (EN translation)
- Padlet Template for Building Trust
- Semi-Structured Interview for Network Evaluation
- Design Thinking Template for Youth Engagement
- Needs Assessment Survey for Community Ownership
Toolbox for Transnational Long-Term Cooperation in Mountain Areas
This toolbox presents practical solutions for building and maintaining long-term cooperation structures in mountain regions.
It includes governance models, organisational approaches and financing options that can help public authorities, regional organisations and civil society actors develop stable partnerships that continue beyond individual projects and funding periods.
Type of output: Solutions
Toolbox for Cross-Border Cooperation Structures
This toolbox supports the planning and management of cross-border cooperation structures in mountain regions.
It provides practical guidance on governance, strategic planning, financing and cooperation between public authorities, businesses and communities. The solutions can help regions turn strategic ideas into operational and sustainable cross-border partnerships.
Type of output: Solutions
Project videos
Central Mountains
Priority 4: Improving governance for cooperation in central Europe
SO 4.1: Strengthening governance for integrated territorial development in central Europe
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Project on social media
Project contact
Anna Buk
Email: abuk@karpacki.pl