From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-10-08

Description

Description (EN):

The Alps and the Carpathians are one of the most important natural corridors linking Central European countries. Despite their unique natural attractiveness, many of these territories are cross-border areas facing challenges related to strengthening territorial cohesion across borders, lack of a joint vision and effective cooperation, lack of finance, and lack of citizen involvement. The “Central Mountains” project addresses the challenge of achieving a long-lasting, sust. cooperation across borders in mountain areas through improved governance structures and processes that are critical for strengthening regional development and cohesion beyond borders. These structures for cross-border and transnational cooperation will support autonomous operation and continuous coordination, not working in the project cycles exclusively dependent on EU funding. The project's innovation lies in the innovativeness of its transnational approach (Alpine-Carpathian perspective) and outputs focused on governance structures. The main project's outputs: 1) joint, pioneer strategy for the Alpine-Carpathian mountain areas, followed by action plans for selected territories, 2) renewed and operational structures: Carpathian Sustainable Tourism Platform, new Alpine EGTC structure and Carpathian Civil Society Platform, 3) designing and piloting Cross-Border Functional Areas as a new governance instrument for long-term cross-border cooperation, 4) joint solutions to be applied in mountainous areas in CE and beyond. The direct beneficiaries of these outputs are local communities and authorities, youth, , NGOs, SME, LAG and others, who would benefit from governance instruments strengthening their role and capacities in sust. development and cooperation beyond borders. Problems related to sust. development in border areas of the Alps and the Carpathians cannot be solved by one country alone and require cooperation beyond borders. From the Alps to the Carpathians, let's meet, work and cooperate!

Actual Achievements (EN):

In the first year of project implementation, project partners worked on activities related to developing a joint perspective for improved cooperation governance in mountain areas in Central Europe within the first work package. Under the coordination of EURAC, the partnership laid the foundation for strategic cooperation across the Alps-Carpathians mountains, involving stakeholders through a participative, multi-level approach. Within this work package, working groups and stakeholder groups were established. Project partners assessed the results and tools on governance and sustainable development in mountain areas from previous Alpine and Carpathian projects. Workshops with young students were organised to incorporate the youth perspective. As a result of these activities, a joint strategy for the sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe was developed. The joint strategy was presented during an online public meeting attended by key stakeholders in the project, representatives of the Carpathian and Alpine Convention and representatives of the Interreg Central Europe programme. Finally, partner institutions were involved in preparing the action plans that translate the strategy into concrete actions in the affected territories. To enhance the transnational exchange of experience, two in-person meetings and study visits were organised. The first one, to Poland to the Carpathians, was organised by the Lead Partner, Rzeszow County, and the second, to the Sudetes (Krkonoše mountains), was organised by the Association of Regional Brands in the Czech Republic. During the visits, interesting good practices were highlighted that will inspire the next project activities. After two years of project implementation, the main achievement of the project is the set of meaningful pilots that are being implemented: a new Carpathian Sustainable Tourism Platform (CSTP) cooperation system, a renewed governance structure of the Alpine Pearls EGTC, improved structure for cooperation of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Carpathian region, strategy and operational model for the Cross-Border Functional Areas (CBFAs), developing mobile application for Cross-Border Functional Areas in Carpathians and joint branding in the Sudetes through the creation of the Czech-Polish House of Regional Brands. These pilots demonstrate how governance mechanisms can be implemented at various territorial levels for the sustainable development of mountain areas. These results build on the solid groundwork laid in the first year, when the partnership—under the coordination of EURAC—developed a joint strategy for sustainable development and improved governance in mountain areas, based on participative, multi-level processes and previous Alpine and Carpathian projects. The strategy was supported by stakeholder engagement, youth involvement and the creation of working groups and action plans. The involvement of committed partner institutions is ensuring the quality and relevance of the pilot activities. In this regard, the professionalism of ISIG, the lead institution for WP 2, should be mentioned, since they contributed to facilitate the learning among this transnational partnership, ensuring always a positive and productive atmosphere. A strong transnational dimension is maintained throughout the project, with pilot actions and governance mechanisms being shared and tested across partner regions in Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Italy, Austria and Romania. To enhance transnational exchange, four in-person meetings and study visits were organised: to the Carpathians in Poland, the Sudetes in the Czech Republic, the Alps in Austria and the Carpathians in Hungary, allowing partners to share good practices that inspire upcoming activities. The work of the partnership is well aligned to complete the pilot actions in the coming months, as well as to prepare tools that will transfer the lessons learned from the pilots to a wider target group, with the aim of improving governance systems in mountain areas across central Europe.

Project outputs: Alpine-Carpathian joint strategy for community-led sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe(EN)
Cross-border and transnational action plans for improved governance and sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe (the Alps, the Carpathians and the Sudetes)(EN)
"Central Mountains" partnership(EN)
Improved cooperation systems in the centres in Poland (ACE) and in Romania (Brasov) of the Carpathian Sustainable Tourism Platform (CSTP) (EN)
Renewed governance structure of the Alpine Pearls European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (Alpine Pearls EGTC)(EN)
Improved institutional capacity of the Carpathian Civil Society Platform (CCSP) for participatory governance(EN)
Strategy and operational model for 3 selected Cross-Border Functional Areas (CBFA) in the PL/SK (incl. UA if possible)
border of the Carpathians(EN)
Mobile application for Cross-Border Functional Areas in the Carpathians (‘CBFAs Goes Digital‘)(EN)
Sudetes Cross-Border Functional Area for strengthening cooperation of rural SMEs and regional products producers(EN)
Alpine-Carpathian toolbox for active involvement of citizens and youth in decision making processes(EN)
Toolbox: Transnational structures for long-term cooperation in mountain areas(EN)
Toolbox: Cross-border structures for cooperation: from strategy to planning and operation (EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/central-mountains/

Thematic information

Governance, partnership Regional planning and development

Priority: (VI-B_CE_4) Improving governance for cooperation in central Europe

Priority specific objective: ISO6.6. Other actions to support better cooperation governance (all strands)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 171 Enhancing cooperation with partners both within and outside the Member State

Partners (11)

Lead Partner: Powiat Rzeszowski

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL8132919572

Department: Jednostka samorządu terytorialnego (a local government unit)

Address: Grunwaldzka, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland

Department address: Grunwaldzka, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.powiat.rzeszowski.pl

Total budget: EUR 289 472.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 231 577.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 57 894.40

Contractors:

Name: Ecopsychology Association
VAT registration or tax identification number: 6772224582
Name: Projectiff Sp. z o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: PL5272741486

Judetul Brasov

Name: Judetul Brasov

Partner’s ID if not PIC: RO4384150

Address: Eroilor Blvd, 500007 Brasov, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.judbrasov.ro

Total budget: EUR 184 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 147 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 800.00

Contractors:

Name: SC AER EXPERT GROUP SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0

CIPRA International Lab

Name: CIPRA International Lab

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 917752600

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU71118907

Address: Hirschgraben, 6800 Feldkirch, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.cipra.org/en/about/people/cipra-international-lab

Total budget: EUR 200 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 160 160.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 040.00

EVTZ Alpine Pearls GmbH

Name: EVTZ Alpine Pearls GmbH

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937333214

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU62244468 | 478103140 | Registration Number (EN)

Address: Techendorf, 9762 Weissensee, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: EGTC

Website: http://www.alpine-pearls.com

Total budget: EUR 208 420.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 166 736.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 41 684.00

Istituto di Sociologia Internazionale di Gorizia

Name: Istituto di Sociologia Internazionale di Gorizia

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998222345

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT00126770312

Address: 13, 34170 Gorizia, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.isig.it

Total budget: EUR 200 360.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 160 288.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 072.00

Contractors:

Name: Marzia Raner
VAT registration or tax identification number: RNRMRZ80L43E098L

Eurac research

Name: Eurac research

Department: Institute for Regional Development

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999887253

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT01659400210

Address: Viale Druso, 39100 Bolzano/Bozen, Italy

Department address: Viale Druso, 39100 Bolzano/Bozen, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.eurac.edu/en

Total budget: EUR 192 110.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 153 688.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 422.00

Contractors:

Name: Publistampa Snc
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT00579410226
Name: GDA Revisori Indipendenti Spa
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT01023500331
Name: Zbigniew Janusz Niewiadomski
VAT registration or tax identification number: tax code 689-102-35-42
Name: Südwind Vorarlberg
VAT registration or tax identification number: ATU71021217
Name: Uniwersytet Jagiellonski
VAT registration or tax identification number: PL6750002236

Fundacja Ochrony Krajobrazu

Name: Fundacja Ochrony Krajobrazu

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 890975847

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL6112762824

Address: Jana Kiepury, 58-506 Jelenia Góra, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.krajobraz.edu.pl

Total budget: EUR 149 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 119 840.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 960.00

Asociace regionálních značek, z.s.

Name: Asociace regionálních značek, z.s.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 940396183

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ22683411

Address: Zelená, 251 62 Mukařov, Czech Republic

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.regionalni-znacky.cz

Total budget: EUR 147 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 118 240.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 560.00

Kárpátok Alapítvány-Magyarország

Name: Kárpátok Alapítvány-Magyarország

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 888044992

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU18584642

Address: Felvégi, 3300 Eger, Hungary

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.karpatokalapitvany.hu

Total budget: EUR 205 060.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 164 048.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 41 012.00

Contractors:

Name: Lamenda Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HU14736191
Name: Egri Közösségi Alapítvány
VAT registration or tax identification number: 19311614-1-10

Združenie miest a obcí Slovenska

Name: Združenie miest a obcí Slovenska

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SK2020801904 | 584614 | Entity registration number ID (EN)

Address: Bezručova, 811 09 Bratislava, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.zmos.sk

Total budget: EUR 199 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 159 360.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 39 840.00

Stowarzyszenie Euroregion Karpacki

Name: Stowarzyszenie Euroregion Karpacki

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL8133205337

Address: Pl. Kilińskiego, 35-005 Rzeszów, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: International organisation, EEIG

Website: https://www.karpacki.pl/

Total budget: EUR 358 480.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 286 784.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 71 696.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Brasov County

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

CIPRA International Lab

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

EGTC Alpine Pearls ltd

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Istituto di Sociologia Internazionale di Gorizia

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Eurac research

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Foundation for Landscape Protection

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Association of Regional Brands

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Carpathian Foundation-Hungary

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

ZDRUŽENIE MIEST A OBCÍ SLOVENSKA

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Stowarzyszenie Euroregion Karpacki

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Partners and Projects info

Rzeszów County

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Project acronym: Central Mountains

Project ID: CE0100083

Project start date: 2023-04-01

Project end date: 2026-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

The Carpathian Convention (CC) and Alpine Convention (AC) (EN) | The Carpathian Convention (CC) and Alpine Convention (AC) are transnational treaties, covering and representing relevant for the project topics, including public participation, tourism etc.. The project Joint Strategy and relevant Action Plans will be developed in consultations with CC and AC, while the project results will feed the agenda of these organisations for transnational implementation, roll-out and transferability. (EN), CE1359 CentralParks (EN) | "Central Mountains" project will capitalise on the Strategy for local sustainable tourism development based on natural/cultural heritage of the Carpathians prepared under CentralParks. Both projects are complementary. CentralParks conducted activities related to building management capacities of Carpathian protected areas for the integration and harmonization of biodiversity protection and local socio-economic development, while the "Central Mountains" project focuses on the cross-border and transnational structures for cooperation for the sustainable development of territories. (EN), AlpGov2 (EN) | AlpGov 2 aims at enhancing multilevel and transnational governance in the Alpine Space. The oroject is developing tailor-made governance approaches, which could be capitalized on in the "Central Mountains" project. Both projects share a similar approach: enhance cooperation, involve stakeholders in the definition of priorities and initiatives, and increase political commitment. (EN), Interreg Cross-border programmes, such as Interreg Poland-Slovakia 2021-2027
Interreg Alpine Space programme 2021-2027 (EN) | "Central Mountains" project will foster better cooperation across borders to tackle common challenges identified jointly in the border regions and enhancing structures for cooperation. This will result in quality projects to be submitted to the new edition of Interreg programmes, such as Interreg Poland-Slovakia or Interreg Alpine Space programme, and will allow to plan and build on joint projects in a more effective way. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 334 902.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 867 921.60

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 867 921.60. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Kick-off meeting for establishing cooperation basics, methodology and work plan
Establishment of Working Groups (WGs)
Stakeholder mapping and engagement, establishing 6 Stakeholders Groups (SGs)
Assessing report based on data collection from previous Alpine and Carpathians projects
Database on main effective developed project results and tools on governance in mountain areas
Transnational summary report outlining the key finding, lessons learned and stakeholders involvement
Joint workshop with young students
Joint strategy report
Report from consultations, public presentation, comm. activities for joint strategy dissemination
Study visit to the Alps for exchange of experience on strategies for sustainable mountain areas
Common methodology for action plans development and transnational review
Action Plan for sustainable tourism development in the Carpathians
Action Plan for future Alpine Pearls EGTC
Action Plan for citizens involvement in decision making processes in the Carpathians
Action Plan for public-private cooperation in the Sudetes for regional products and tourism services
Transnational summary report with key finding, lessons learned, stakeholders inv., comm.activities
Joint approach and methodology for pilot planning, implementation and evaluation
Report from stakeholders involvement
Communicating pilot activities outside the partnership
Designing and testing a new Carpathian Sustainable Tourism Platform (CSTP) cooperation system
Piloting a renewed governance structure of the Alpine Pearls EGTC
Improved structure for cooperation of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Carpathian region
Strategy and operational model for the Cross-Border Functional Areas (CBFAs)
CBFAs goes digital - developing mobile application for Cross-Border Functional Areas in Carpathians
Joint branding in CBFAs for strengthening cooperation of rural SMEs and regional products producers
Study visits for transnational monitoring and discussion on pilot acions implementation (CZ, HU, AT)
Mid-term evaluation
Final evaluation and final report from pilot implementation
Workshop for the definition of joint solutions and methodology, together with a study visit in AT
Consultations with external stakeholders (SGs) incl. the Carpathian Convention and Alpine Convention
Final report by Working Groups (WGs) together with the study visit to Slovakia
Alpine-Carpathian toolbox for active involvement of citizens and youth in decision making processes
Transnational structures for long-term cooperation in mountain areas
Cross-border structures for cooperation: from strategy to planning and operation
Final refinement of the joint strategy (D.1.3.2)
Cross-border and transnational training workshops for stakeholders
Letters of commitment for solutions uptake
Road Show with public events in the Alps, the Carpathians and the Sudetes
Storytelling and video-documentation for the website and social media
Policy recommendations document
Targeted meetings with policy-makers
Presentation in events at regional-national-EU level
Transnational document for sustaining the Alpine-Carpathian network

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAlpineRegion The "Central Mountains" project largely contributes to the EUSAR, since the Alps are at the core of the strategy. Governance is a cross-cutting policy area in the EUSAR, including institutional capacity. Lack of effective cross-boundary coordination in the EUSAR has been identified in the strategy as one of the main bottlenecks and challenges in the strategy implementation. Through the new Alpine EGTC the project will contribute to more effective coordination between different stakeholders in the process of multilevel governance.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Mountain areas are of special importance in the Danube Region (it encompasses part of the Carpathian mountains and the Alps). According to a key document of the EUSDR published in 2022 ("EUSDR Needs Assessment for closer cooperation") strategic cooperation is essential to address and to overcome challenges in the Danube region. Through improved Carpathian Civil Society Platform (CCSP) the project will enable greater participation of the civil society that will strengthen the bottom-up dimension of the strategy.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The Territorial Agenda 2030 addresses different levels of governance (multi-level governance approach) to ensure cooperation and coordination involving citizens, civil society, public administration, businesses, etc. Under "INTEGRATION BEYOND BORDERS" chapter EGTC, functional regions governance, cross-border planning and other legal cross-border agreements (structures tackled by "Central Mountains" project) have been mentionned as examples of recommended approaches in territorial cooperation.
Other Carpathian Convention Protocol on Sustainable Tourism - strategic document to enhance and facilitate cooperation ofor the development of sustainable tourism in the Carpathians. One of the objectives in the strategy is promoting transboundary cooperation on sustainable tourism development in the Carpathians. The Carpathian Sustainable Tourism Platform (CSTP) - to be tested and improved under "Central Mountains" project - was created to implement the provisions of this strategy.
Other Carpathian Convention Presidency Priorities - Further to the Decision of the Carpathian Convention Conference of the Parties (COP6/24), the main priority of the Polish Presidency is "closer cooperation with the local and regional level for protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians. The project, especially through activities under WP1 and WP2 will support achieving of this political priority.
Other "Macro-regional Strategy for the Carpathian Region", although not endorsed by the European Council, it constitutes a comprehensive proposal for a macro-regional strategy for the Carpathian region. The strategy outlines four main priority areas based on the three economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development: competitive Carpathians, green Carpathians and cohesive Carpathians, with a fourth horizontal priority concerning institutional cooperation. The "Central Mountains" project largly responds to the challenges described in this document.
Other "Carpathian Horizon 2020" strategy prepared by the Carpathian Euroregion, which is based on new paradigms: integration - commercialization - internationalization of the Carpathian potential and emphasizes the need for transnational cooperation through Cross-Border Funtional Areas, a European system of cooperation, a Carpathian network of towns and Carpathian NGOs cooperation. The project corresponds to all aspects outlined in this strategy.
Other Alpine Convention Protocol on Spatial planning and sustainable development aims to protect the natural environment of the Alps while promoting its development. The Alpine EGTC within "Central Mountains" will support the implementing of the Alpine Convention at the cross-boundary level in the Alps.
Other UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. "Central Mountains" will directly address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 15 and 17), as improving public participation is an important means in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 5.0
(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 19.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR79) Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations: 5.0

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-10-08

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

100 / 100 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 013 / 1 011 (100.2%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form

From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe

Description

Thematic information

Partners (11)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Disclaimer