FAQ

The Strategy was built on the input and preparatory work by the following stakeholders:

• The Bad Ragaz Decision and the Initiative Paper of the Conference of Alpine Regions of 29 June 2012
• The European Parliament resolution of 23 May 2013 on a macro-regional strategy for the Alps
• The Grenoble 'Political resolution towards a European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region' of 18 October 2013
• The work of the Steering Committee composed of representatives from States and Regions as well as observers from the Alpine Space Programme and the Alpine Convention;
• The outcomes of the extensive public consultation (July-October 2014) which resulted in close MEMO/15/5431 to 400 contributions from individuals, public authorities, international organisations, civil society organisations, private enterprises, academic institutions and other stakeholders
• The debates in the high-level Stakeholder Conference on the EUSALP and the Milan Declaration of the Alpine States and Regions (Milano, 1-2 December 2014)
• The Opinions adopted by the Committee of the Regions and by the European Economic and Social Committee on the EUSALP in December 2014

As is the case for the other macro-regional strategies (the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), the objective of this Strategy is to provide a coordinated response to issues for which joint action is necessary. This Strategy, therefore, will seek to unlock the potential of the Alpine Region, by encouraging participants to overcome barriers and think more strategically about the existing challenges and opportunities.

The EUSALP concerns more than 80 million people living in the 48 regions of the 7 countries involved, of which 5 are EU Member States (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia) and 2 are non-EU countries (Liechtenstein and Switzerland). The proposed geographical area covered by the macro-regional strategy is particularly well suited for the sustainable development of the Alpine Region.

The Alpine Region is among the most dynamic, innovative and competitive areas in Europe with unique geographical and natural features. More than 80 million people live and work in the Region. It is also an attractive destination for millions of tourists every year. However the Region faces several challenges, which require a joint response:

• Demographic trends characterised by ageing, low population density in the mountain areas and new migration models
• High vulnerability to climate change and its foreseeable effects on the environment, biodiversity and the living conditions of its inhabitants
• Challenge in managing and meeting energy demand
• A high degree of seasonality, especially in some touristic areas
• Significant disparities between the different areas in the Region, especially between mountainous areas and the Alpine foreland

But there are also opportunities on which the Strategy can build:

• The Alps are one of the most famous and most intensely used mountain regions of the world, a key destination for tourists
• The Alps are crossed or bordered by trade and transit routes of strategic importance
• Many of the regions in the Alps are among the most developed in the world with competitive, market-oriented and specialised economies, a high quality of life and strong innovation levels
• The Region is home to global key players and SMEs in the field of research and innovation, offering a strong potential for further development
• The Alps are the second largest biodiversity reservoir in Europe after the Mediterranean Sea

Better cooperation and coordination between the countries and regions concerned is needed to address shared challenges and better exploit opportunities. Therefore, the European Council of 19-20 December 2013 invited the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and regions involved, to draw up an EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) by mid-2015.

First of all you can check your project with regard to the conditions of participation. If you are still unsure, please send a short description of your project in English to the project coordinator at contact@eusalp-youth.eu

A pitch is a short and concise presentation of a project or project idea to find supporters. You have three minutes to convince your audience of your project or project idea. Two additional minutes will then be given to the audience to ask questions.
When preparing the presentation, concentrate on giving the reasons and objectives for the project, briefly highlight its implementation and discuss its relevance and feasibility. Feel free to use media (posters, PowerPoint presentations, etc.). Please let us know in advance what we should provide for you.