Learning from a region that spans four countries
From the Carpathians to the Alps: in mid-September 2025, partners in the Central Mountains project visited Feldkirch/A. The focus was on cross-border cooperation in tourism, spatial planning and youth participation.
The transnational meeting was an important milestone in the completion of the pilot measures and final solutions for the project. The partners presented three practical toolboxes designed to strengthen transnational and cross-border cooperation and (youth) participation in both the Alps and the Carpathians.
The trip also provided valuable insights into good examples of cross-border cooperation in the region. One highlight was the presentation by Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH, which covers Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It shared its experiences of organising joint transnational tourism initiatives. As part of the “Rhine Valley Agglomeration” programme, participants learnt how cross-border cooperation in the Rhine Valley region has strengthened spatial planning policy and improved the quality of life in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria.
The study trip ended with a visit to the Grosses Walsertal/A Biosphere House, where the group learnt about local products and discussed the key success factors for creating strong regional brands. “A big thank you to all our partners who travelled to Feldkirch and contributed to an inspiring and productive study trip”, says project manager Paula Duske. The project will run until March 2026 and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
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