The Alpine Ecosystem
Climbing towards a sustainable future, together
What do the Interreg Alpine Space programme, the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region, and the Alpine Convention share, and what sets each of them apart?
To answer this, we have developed a flyer that clearly presents our common vision for the Alpine region while explaining our distinct roles, approaches, and governance structures. It offers a simple and engaging way to understand how these three frameworks work together and how they complement one another in shaping a sustainable Alpine future.
In this flyer, readers will find a concise comparison of the three bodies, including their purposes, stakeholders, and working methods. It outlines how each contributes to sustainable development in the Alps: from strategic policy coordination and legally binding commitments to concrete project funding and implementation. The flyer also illustrates their cooperation ecosystem, showing how their actions are interconnected and how they jointly support innovation, climate resilience, environmental protection, and quality of life across the Alpine region.
Download the flyer:
Interreg Alpine Space
The Interreg Alpine Space programme finances cooperation projects across the borders of seven Alpine countries. It tackles common challenges and improves the quality of life of the 80 million inhabitants of the Alpine region. The programme addresses public authorities on national, regional and local level, institutions of higher education, as well as enterprises, business support organisations, NGOs and associations.
For further information:
- Interreg Alpine Space website: www.alpine-space.eu/
- Interreg website: www.interreg.eu
EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP)
The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) is a macro-regional strategy for the Alpine area. Created in 2015, it is based on a joint initiative of seven Alpine states (Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) and 48 regions. It aims at strengthening cooperation to address common challenges of the Alpine region in a more effective way. The Interreg Alpine Space programme contributes to the goals of EUSALP. The nine Action Groups summarised their policy recommendations in a policy brief available here, which addresses different political levels from local level up to European level.
For further information:
- EUSALP website: www.alpine-region.eu
- Macro-regional strategies website: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/cooperation/macro-regional-strategies_en
To learn more:
Action Groups Work plans 2023-25
- Action Group 1
- Action Group 2
- Action Group 3
- Action Group 4
- Action Group 5
- Action Group 6
- Action Group 7
- Action Group 8
- Action Group 9
Cross-cutting priorities
Alpine Convention
The Alpine Convention is an international treaty between Alpine countries and the EU for the protection of the Alpine natural environment. The Alpine Convention entails the guiding principles towards a sustainable life in the Alps, now and in the future. The Convention is the legal basis for safeguarding the sensitive Alpine ecosystems, the regional cultural identities, heritage and traditions in the Alps. At the same time, it is a living instrument, which allows the signatories to deal jointly with pressing and cross-cutting issues. The Interreg Alpine Space programme is an observer to the Convention.
For further information:
- Alpine Convention website: www.alpconv.org/en/