Exploring the Interreg Alpine Space Secretariat
The meeting commenced with a visit to the Interreg Alpine Space Secretariat, where EUSALP YC and CIPRA YC members were given an in-depth presentation on the programme’s objectives and operations. The visit allowed them to grasp the crucial role played by the Secretariat in fostering transnational cooperation across the Alpine region. The Secretariat’s team shared valuable insights into past and ongoing projects, highlighting their impact on sustainable development, innovation, and governance in the Alpine Space.
Workshop on Interreg Alpine Space Funds
One of the key moments of the meeting was a dedicated workshop on Interreg Alpine Space funds. During this session, participants explored the various funding opportunities available for youth-led and cross-border projects. The workshop shed light on the application process, eligibility criteria, and strategic priorities of the programme, equipping the EUSALP YC with essential knowledge to actively engage in future initiatives. The interactive discussions allowed members to exchange ideas on how to better integrate youth participation in regional development projects.
Strengthening Cooperation with CIPRA Youth Council
In addition to the Secretariat visit and workshop, the meeting also served as a platform for a meaningful exchange with members of the CIPRA Youth Council (CIPRA YC). This discussion focused on potential synergies between the two youth bodies and opportunities for future collaboration. Both councils share a strong commitment to sustainable development and youth empowerment in the Alpine region. Concrete ideas for joint initiatives emerged, setting the stage for stronger youth engagement in shaping Alpine policies and projects.
Based on the discussions that were held during the workshop, the following topics seem important:
- Mobility Transition: In particular, improving accessibility via public transportation and offering attractive pricing (recognizing mobility as a basic need for young people).
- Biodiversity: Including steps to address the biodiversity crisis.
Topics of the EUSALP YC (see the position-paper), for example:
- The future of (winter) tourism, and the transformation towards sustainable tourism.
Preparing for the Interreg Alpine Space 25th Anniversary
Looking ahead, the EUSALP YC took an active role in preparing for the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Interreg Alpine Space programme, which will take place in May. Members discussed ways to contribute to the celebration, ensuring that the voice of young people is represented in the event. Their participation will be crucial in highlighting the importance of youth involvement in transnational cooperation and decision-making processes.
A Step Forward for Youth Engagement in the Alpine Region
The young representatives of the 2 Youth Councils shared a general aim to expand effective opportunities for youth participation:
- The round of introductions revealed that all present YC members had an academic background. This raises the overall question of the representativeness and “grounding” of the bodies, their activities, and discourses.
- There is a need to make the YC offering better known; for example, through campaigning on social media (e.g. via EUSALP’s channels), engaging schools and universities, and networking with other Alpine organizations and especially their youth organizations. The latter is also important for fostering greater diversity in opinion formation (including non-academics).
- Clear communication about what the YCs actually do is needed (current descriptions are often too abstract). It is important to highlight the impact possibilities of the YC, such as “translating” complex issues into simple language for young people, especially non-academics.
- Active participation at the working group level is crucial, as it allows for more (even informal) interaction. For high-level participation (at the Executive Board and especially the General Assembly), the impact of the contributions should be made more visible or be fed back to the YC.
- An optional extension of the EUSALP YC mandate to 3 years is welcomed.
- Due to the short mandate periods of the youth councils, ensuring the visibility of short-term successes is important; concrete projects like YOALIN should take a more central role. Given the number of initiatives, a clear focus or prioritization is necessary.
- The importance of in-person meetings is emphasized. However, this requires greater clarity and simpler handling of travel expenses. In addition, the ability to provide a certificate of absence for YC members would be important (e.g. for universities or schools).
The meeting in Salzburg marked another step forward in strengthening youth engagement in Alpine governance. By fostering a better understanding of EU funding mechanisms, building partnerships with like-minded organizations, and actively contributing to upcoming key events, the EUSALP Youth Council continues to affirm its role as a vital actor in shaping the future of the Alpine region.
