Unlocking the mountains: A new approach to rural development for Europe’s mountains

The European Mountain Conventions are an initiative of Euromontana, the European association comprising regional development agencies, agricultural organisations, regional authorities, research institutes, environmental agencies or mountain associations with a strong interest in rural and sustainable development of mountainous areas. This network of organisations covers about 18 countries in all the European mountain massifs, facilitating therefore a co-operation between Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Among the other projects of the association, these Conventions represent special times for gathering together and clarifying issues in a deliberately open and wide debate.

European Mountain Conventions are organised every 2 years in different locations for the attention of professionals and policy-makers. They aim at ensuring in relation to the general theme of mountain rural sustainable development:

• Updated information on current European issues and their impact on mountain areas
• Open consultations and exchanges between representatives of different countries and different types of organisations
• The extension and strengthening of a European network of co-operation for mountains, beyond the network of Euromontana member organisations.