EUSALP Annual Forum 2026 - October 21-22, Lindau, Germany

13:00 - 14:30 AG 1 meeting

Action Group 1 will convene its internal meeting to advance discussions on governance and cooperation priorities.

15:00 - 16:30 AG 1 exchange with projects

Action Group 1 will engage with European projects through a dedicated exchange aimed at reviewing achievements, capturing lessons learned, and identifying future priorities. The format will encourage interactive discussions among AG members, project leaders, and partners.

A closed internal session of Action Group 3 to review ongoing activities, exchange on priorities and plan future work. The Lab format will support interactive discussion and peer learning among members.

Action Group 5 will organise an interactive Lab session to co-create future actions and strengthen collaboration among members and stakeholders. The workshop-style format will foster exchange with experts, project representatives and Youth Council members.

Action Group 6 will engage with European projects through a dedicated harvesting session aimed at reviewing achievements, capturing lessons learned, and identifying future priorities. The facilitated format will encourage interactive discussions among members, project leaders, and partners.

Action Group 9 will hold its regular coordination meeting to discuss progress and align on upcoming activities. The session is intended for AG9 members, with possible participation of observers and Youth Council representatives.

This interactive workshop will engage stakeholders across the Alpine Region in shaping the future of Alpine cooperation. It will provide a space for exchanging on challenges and opportunities in the cooperation area to give feedback on preliminary ideas on potential funding priorities of the next Interreg Alpine Space Programme. Through participatory formats, participants will contribute to defining topics that call for alpinewide cooperation in future. The session also aims to support the design of effective and impactful future cooperation formats.

This interactive workshop will showcase the winning projects of the EUSALP Alpine AI Hackathon 2026 and bring together young innovators, EUSALP Action Groups, Youth Council members and stakeholders to explore their future development. Through discussion and collaborative working sessions, participants will identify concrete opportunities for mentoring, testing and implementing AI-driven solutions that address challenges and opportunities in the Alpine Region.

Under the title “The Future of Heat: Innovative Concepts for Sustainable Communities and Cities”, the conference will present and discuss current developments, technologies, and practical examples of the heating transition in the Alpine area. The conference focuses on the heating transition at local and regional level and presents innovative approaches in aquathermal energy, hydrogen, bioenergy, and district heating systems. A concluding expert panel will discuss pathways for successful implementation in practice.

The EUSALP Energy Conference 2026 will take place under the patronage of the Bavarian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP).

This session will explore how multilevel governance functions within the EUSALP framework and how different actors interact across levels. It will bring together representatives from institutions, Action Groups and funding programmes in the Alps (including Interreg A, Euregios, AlpPlan Network etc.) to exchange perspectives and experiences. Participants will discuss coordination mechanisms, challenges and opportunities for improved alignment. The session aims to strengthen cooperation and enhance the effectiveness of governance in the Alpine Region.

Every activity has an impact; every impact affects a stakeholder. How prepared are we to coexist in the face of the climate crisis, pressures related to economic development, and diverse governance systems? How can EUSALP institutions develop a shared capacity to manage conflicts and negotiate solutions that will initiate the implementation of actions aimed at sustainable land use? The workshop aims, together with experts and stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels, to foster the exchange of experiences and identify trajectories to establish a truly participatory dialogue between communities and institutions. Understanding complexity is the path to inclusive and sustainable solutions!

Now in its 9th edition, the Pitch Your Project 2026 Final will bring together five outstanding youth-led projects, selected by an international jury, to present their innovative ideas for the future of the Alpine Region through short and engaging pitches. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with the finalists, ask questions, and vote for their favourite project. The session will conclude with the announcement of the three winning projects and an award ceremony celebrating the young changemakers shaping the future of the Alps.

This workshop will launch the EUSALP Mission, coordinated by the Lombardy Region, by actively involving young people in shaping policies supporting entrepreneurship in Alpine territories. It will bring together Youth Council members, young participants and institutional representatives to exchange perspectives on key challenges and opportunities.

Through a structured discussion, participants will identify priority needs and contribute to defining concrete policy orientations and follow-up actions.

The workshop aims to strengthen dialogue between youth and decision-makers and support the development of more inclusive and effective policy frameworks.

Political highlight and ceremonial conclusion of the EUSALP Presidency

From Initiatives to Impact: Highlights from EUSALP Action Group.

This plenary session will showcase key initiatives and flagship projects developed by EUSALP Action Groups. It will bring together representatives of the different AGs in a moderated discussion to present results achieved and ongoing work. Participants will gain insights into the impact of these initiatives and the main lessons learned. The session will also highlight opportunities for stronger cross-Action Group collaboration and increased overall impact.

A detailed programme will follow.

The day will conclude with a traditional Alpine outdoor program featuring alphorns, goaßlschnalzer, schuhplattler and a fanfare procession. The event will take place at Therese-von-Bayern-Platz located immediately next to Inselhalle Lindau.