25 proposals to ensure the prosperity of Europe's mountain economies

Diversifying the mountain economies most affected by climate change and extending the scope of the current EU Just Transition Fund is one of the main axes of the Puigcerdà 2024 Declaration for mountain economies, which is being presented today in Brussels on International Mountain Day. The document is the result of the 13th Euromontana European Mountain Convention, recently organised in the capital of La Cerdanya (Catalonia) by this European network, CREAF and the Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Currently, the member states of the European Union can already identify the territories that will be most impacted by the transition to climate neutrality and receive funds to finance conversion actions in their economic sectors. 

The Declaration includes up to 25 demands linked to the social and economic reality of Europe's mountain areas, articulated from the debate of 200 representatives of sectors such as science, services, livestock, agriculture, tourism, political action, associations, etc. with a local vision and experience. CREAF researcher Bernat Claramunt - member of the Euromontana steering committee and coordinator of the European mountain network NEMOR (Network for European Mountain Reserarch) - points out that “the Declaration shows that there are still many uncertainties and gaps in knowledge and that it is necessary to invest in research so that evidence-based decisions can be taken”. Claramunt also emphasises that “we must take into account the local specificities” of the messages contained in the document, integrate them into national and regional plans for adaptation to climate change and into adaptation plans, such as the future European Climate Adaptation Plan. 

With the aim of promoting practical solutions to increase the resilience, sustainability and prosperity of mountain economies, the Puigcerdà 2024 Declaration ranges from fair remuneration for the mountain farming and livestock sector, promoting certifications, value labels and tax incentives for their products, to simplifying access to European Union promotion funds, supporting the development of local processing industries and the circular economy, as well as innovation and the development of more integrated, territorial and knowledge-based policies.

Other aspects envisaged include promoting scientific research through NEMOR to enable the Declaration's requests, as well as housing policies within the future European Union Affordable Housing Plan, rural-urban links, attracting and retaining talent, promoting the European Rural Pact, the continuity and sustainability of pastoralism and extensive livestock farming.

Along these lines, the future High Mountain Act, which is currently being processed, will update the 1983 Act and include the setting up of the Mountain Observatory, “in which we will facilitate the participation of all the mountain communities”, in the words of Victor Puga, Secretary of Territory, Urban Planning and Urban Agenda of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The presentation in Brussels also addressed the deployment of the Pyrenees Strategy, a road map for the Pyrenees.