AG2 Work Plan 2026-2028

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Alpine Region is economically diverse but fragmented, with SMEs facing pressures from climate change, global market disruptions and uneven innovation capacity. Key sectors—agriculture and forestry, tourism, energy and industry—require stronger cooperation, more sustainable and circular value chains, and wider adoption of digital solutions. 

Action Group 2 (“To increase the economic potential of strategic sectors”) identifies those sectors that can benefit most from macro-regional action and implements concrete measures to improve their economic and social environment. Its added value lies in enhancing the use of Alpine-specific resources and strengthening framework conditions and opportunities for SMEs. AG2 also fosters synergies across sectors and supports the green and digital transitions, in line with EU priorities such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the circular economy.

The overall goal for the next period is to foster the Alpine economy by promoting Alpine territories as innovative, green and connected. In this framework, AG2 will:

• Strengthen value chains and local supply systems in key Alpine sectors.
• Support sustainable and climate-resilient tourism.
• Promote circular, innovative and energy-efficient industrial development.
• Accelerate the green and digital twin transition for SMEs and industries.
• Enhance cooperation with AG1, AG3, AG5 and AG9 to reinforce innovation, skills, digitalisation and energy-related synergies.
• Improve SME competitiveness, innovation uptake and resilience.

These objectives translate also into five main specific priorities for the 2026-2028 Work Plan:

• Lobbying for mountainous areas.
• Promoting an eusalp dimension for hydrogen valleys.
• Supporting the relevance of data and ai for digital industries.
• Promoting sustainable tourism and resource management linked to major sports events.
• Supporting circular-economy practices across sectors.