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Euromontana develops guide to include mountains in programming

02.04.2020

Euromontana has created a timely factsheet to better consider mountain areas’ specificities and needs to address the challenges faced by managing authorities of mountain communities.

At a time when managing authorities of European mountains are drafting their operational programmes for the 2021-2027 period, Euromontana wants to stress that necessary mountain specificities are often left out of programming or lost in the implementation of policies. Operational programmes are detailed plans in which European Union Member States budget the amount of money from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) that will be spent during the programming period.

This factsheet is designed within the framework of article 174 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union. This article urges the strengthening of economic, social and territorial cohesion, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas like mountains.

Developed by Euromontana and available in English and French, the factsheet gives recommendations on all steps of the design and implementation of operational programmes for mountain areas. Four main recommendations are put forward: develop specific tools and strategies for mountain areas, encourage the correct use of priority objectives, encourage the use of adequate tools, and encourage simplification.

The factsheet provides examples of specific and practical tools available for the development of mountain areas, such as the community-led local development (CLLD) instrument and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI); ITIs have been established in places such as the Sterea Ellada of Greece and Valvecchiana, Italy. Examples of programmes adopted in specific European mountain ranges are promoted, such as the interregional programs for the Massif Central, French Pyrenees and the Alps. The document also provides pieces of advice to better coordinate the different existing European Union funds.
 
Euromontana hopes that this factsheet will contribute to more integrated territorial development in mountain areas from 2021.

Read more Download the factsheet here Photo from Evelyn Hill