Strategy

The European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) is a macro-regional framework designed to enhance cooperation across seven countries - five EU member states (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia) and two non-EU states (Switzerland and Liechtenstein). Covering 48 regions, EUSALP is the fourth EU macro-regional strategy, following those for the Baltic Sea (2009), Danube (2011), and Adriatic-Ionian (2014) regions.

Why EUSALP? The rationale behind the European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region

Theraison d'etre of EUSALP is founded in the context of the European Union's macro-regional approach, aimed at advancing cohesion in specific areas united by common challenges. Those facing the alpine region relate specifically to three themes: economic growth and innovation, mobility and connectivity, environement and energy.

Macro-regional strategies are designed to enhance territorial cohesion by providing an integrated framework for cooperation across both EU and non-EU borders. These strategies target regions sharing common geographical features (e.g., a river basin, maritime area, or, in the case of EUSALP, a mountain range), addressing cross-border challenges and opportunities through joint action. 

The defining principle of macro-regional strategies is the 'three no's rule', which dictates that no new EU funds, no additional EU formal structures and no new EU legislation can be mobilised. Instead of introducing new mechanisms, macro-regional strategies focus on optimising existing resources at EU, national, and regional levels.

The implementation of Macro Regional Strategies is guided by five key principles, namely:

  • integration within existing policy frameworks
  • programmes and funding instruments
  • coordination between sectorial policies, actors or tiers of government
  • cooperation, between both countries and sectors
  • multi-level governance (involvement of policy-makers at different levels) and partnership between EU and non-EU countries.

A macro-regional approach for the Alpine region is essential to effectively address the complex and interconnected challenges that transcend national borders. As a key economic and ecological hub — covering nearly 10% of the EU’s surface and generating 20% of its GDP — the Alps are crucial to both regional and European stability. However, the region faces growing challenges:

🌍 Climate Change – Rising temperatures, glacier retreat, and altered precipitation patterns threaten water resources, agriculture, hydropower, and winter tourism.

🌱 Biodiversity at Risk – Human activity and climate change endanger the region’s unique ecosystems.

🚗 Sustainable Mobility – The Alps are a major European transport corridor, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pressures.

🏙️ Territorial Imbalances – While metropolitan areas thrive, rural mountain communities face depopulation, limited infrastructure and low appeal of multimodal connections, and economic stagnation.

A well-integrated policy strategy is necessary to balance economic growth with environmental preservation and social equity. A macro-regional approach enables cooperation among Alpine countries, fostering the regions’ economic growth and territorial cohesion while balancing it with environmental preservation and social equity.

The adopted policy framework

The foundation of the European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region is a Commission Communication and an Action Plan adopted on 28 July 2015. Ten years after, the strategy is currently undergoing a revision of its Action Plan, to make it more suitable for the current challenges and the new priorities of the European Commission.

EUSALP is the perfect example of a bottom-up approach to cross-border cooperation. The strategy was born out of a willingness to cooperate by the regions themselves, which resulted in the 2010 Mittenwald Declaration. The declaration, signed by representatives from Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, laid the groundwork for the strategy’s development. Following stakeholder consultations, EUSALP’s elaboration mirrored previous macro-regional strategies: a request from the European Council to the European Commission (December 2013), preparation of a Communication and Action Plan, and formal adoption by the College of Commissioners (July 2015). The strategy was subsequently endorsed by the Council of the EU (November 2015) and officially launched in January 2016.

The 2015 Action Plan represents the core strategic framework guiding the European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP):

  • It addresses major challenges and opportunities in the Alpine region by organising its priorities into three main thematic policy areas: a Competitive and Innovative Alpine Region, Sustainable Mobility and Connectivity, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
  • It establishes a multi-level governance system involving the European Commission, ensuring strategic oversight, National and regional authorities, guiding the strategy, and other Stakeholders from academia, business, and civil society, contributing with expertise to the implementation of the Strategy in the various Action Groups (AGs) responsible for specific thematic priorities.

 

Why Revise the EUSALP Action Plan?

The decision to revise the Action Plan stems from various factors, including:

  • Emerging challenges: Addressing geopolitical shifts, energy concerns, and demographic changes.
  • Governance adaptation: Enhancing the political steering of the strategy and improving coordination among governance bodies.
  • Alignment with EU priorities: Ensuring that EUSALP remains relevant within the broader European political landscape.

A Collaborative Effort

The Bad Ragaz Declaration (October 2023) set the revision in motion, establishing a Task Force to lead the process. Key milestones include:

📅 November 2023: Official launch of the Task Force in Brussels.

📅 March – September 2024: A series of Task Force meetings to define principles, thematic priorities, governance structures, and funding mechanisms.

📅 September 2024: The finalisation of a White Paper outlining the key changes.

📅 November 2024: The handing-over of the White Paper to the General Assembly.

Key Revisions in the Action Plan

1. Strengthening Political Steering

  • Reinforcing the Trio Presidency system for better continuity.
  • Expanding the role of the General Assembly in setting multi-annual priorities.

2. Refining the Thematic Focus

The revised Action Plan will maintain three core pillars, with updated objectives:

  • A competitive, innovative, circular and climate neutral economy in the Alpine region.
  • A more accessible and interconnected Alpine region that fosters sustainable transports and mobility solutions and takes full advantage of digitalization and new technologies.
  • An ecologically connected, environmentally sustainable Alpine Region that fosters climate adaptation.

3. Improving Governance and Synergies

  • The formal introduction of two bodies: the EUSALP Secretariat and the Youth Council
  • Closer collaboration with the Alpine Convention and InterregAlpine Space Programme to avoid overlaps and enhance synergies.

4. Enhancing Funding and Implementation

  • Better alignment of EU, national, and regional funding sources.
  • Increased private sector investment and support from the European Investment Bank.

The road ahead: The 2025 Austria-Liechtenstein Presidency

Under the motto "Cooperation Empowers Transformation," the Austria-Liechtenstein Co-Presidency aims to finalise the Action Plan revision by the end of 2025. Key priorities include:

  • Sharpening the strategic focus with a "Less is More" approach — fewer but more impactful priorities.
  • Increasing political engagement by involving Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
  • Streamlining governance and political steering to enhance efficiency.

To accelerate progress, the Co-Presidency has decided not to reconvene the Task Force, opting instead to handle all revision matters through the Executive Board, assisted by experts from the Austrian Institute of Regional Development (ÖIR).