Observers

Founded in 1997, Alliance in the Alps is a transnational network of municipalities and regions from seven Alpine countries. The association brings together local authorities and citizens committed to shaping a sustainable living environment in the Alps. Guided by the principle “Exchange – Address – Implement,” it encourages cooperation and dialogue between communities. The network promotes practical solutions for sustainable local development through shared experiences and joint action. The guiding principle is the implementation of the Alpine Convention at the community level.

Since 1995, ALPARC (the Alpine Network of Protected Areas) has been dedicated to strengthening cooperation among Alpine protected areas by facilitating the exchange of expertise, techniques and best practices, as well as fostering joint projects that address shared environmental challenges. Through these collaborative initiatives, the network promotes biodiversity conservation, ecological connectivity and regional development in line with the Alpine Convention, particularly the Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation Protocol.

The Alpine Town of the Year is an initiative established in 1997 to recognise Alpine cities that implement sustainable development in accordance with the principles of the Alpine Convention. The title is awarded to towns that successfully balance the economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainability. Awarded municipalities join a transnational association in which towns cooperate and exchange experiences to address common challenges. Through joint initiatives and collaboration, they promote sustainable development in the Alpine region.

The Alps-Adriatic Alliance is a transnational network established in 2013, as the successor to the Alps-Adriatic Working Community which had been founded in 1978, to promote project-oriented cooperation among regional governments of the Alps-Adriatic area. It connects public authorities, private organisations and NGOs in a flexible and open collaboration structure and focuses on strengthening regional development through cross-border partnerships and the use of EU cooperation programmes. Its activities cover several fields such as culture, economy, environment, mobility, education and tourism.

ARGE ALP is a transnational working community that has been bringing together ten regions in the central Alps since 1972. The organisation promotes cooperation and dialogue between regional governments across national borders. Its main goal is to represent and advocate for Alpine interests towards national governments and European institutions. Through joint initiatives and policy dialogue, ARGE ALP supports sustainable development in the Alpine area. It also works to strengthen territorial cohesion and build bridges between the Alps and the surrounding regions.

Founded in 1952, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA) is a non-governmental umbrella organisation with national and regional representatives across the Alpine countries. It brings together over one hundred associations and organisations committed to sustainable development in the Alpine region. CIPRA lobbied in its early years for the establishment of the Alpine Convention and is now engaged in its implementation through advocacy, projects and research, promoting innovative solutions to cross-border challenges.

Founded in 1995, Club Arc Alpin is the umbrella organisation of the major mountaineering associations of the Alpine arc, with more than two million members. As an observer of the Alpine Convention, CAA contributes expertise and policy input to support its implementation. It coordinates cooperation between Alpine clubs and promotes responsible mountaineering and sustainable use of mountain areas.  Its commissions provide platforms for exchange on topics such as mountaineering, safety, huts and trails, nature protection and spatial planning.

Founded in 1996, Euromontana is a European multi-stakeholder network dedicated to promoting sustainable development of mountain areas. The network brings together mountain stakeholders from more than 20 countries and advocates for European-level policies that address the unique challenges faced by mountain communities. It promotes the quality of life and economic vitality of mountain regions through initiatives in agriculture, tourism, rural development, mobility, innovation, and climate change.

Founded in 1958, FIANET is the European umbrella association for national cableway organisations and operators. It represents the interests of stakeholders in cable transport systems, including funiculars, gondolas and ski lifts, at the European level. By facilitating dialogue and developing joint positions on regulatory and technological issues, FIANET supports the sustainable growth of mountain transport infrastructure. Its work, also as Alpine Convention Observer, ensures that the cableway sector can adapt effectively to European Union directives.

The Interreg Alpine Space Programme, launched in 2000, is a European Union transnational cooperation initiative focused on the Alpine region, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It unites partners from seven Alpine countries to tackle shared challenges through collaborative projects. The programme supports innovation, environmental protection, and sustainable regional development. By providing funding and a platform for institutions, research organisations, and public authorities, it fosters cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange.

ISCAR, the International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps, was established in 1999 with the ISCAR Convention signed by scientific academies and national research institutions from six alpine countries. Its purpose is to promote international and interdisciplinary research on the Alps, transfer of scientific knowledge to policymakers and the general public, as well as to take up research topics that benefit the Alpine Convention. ISCAR contributes with its network of researchers and scientific experts to the official bodies of the Alpine Convention.

Founded in 1948, the IUCN is the world’s largest environmental network, bringing together members from national and subnational governments as well as non-governmental and indigenous peoples’ organisations from over 160 countries. By supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management, IUCN strengthens global environmental governance. It promotes evidence-based solutions to environmental and development challenges through research, field projects, and policy guidance. Through its expertise and partnerships, IUCN advances practical conservation initiatives, including those focused on mountain regions.

Founded in 1991, ProMONT-BLANC is a tri-national umbrella NGO uniting Alpine clubs and environmental organisations from France, Italy, and Switzerland. It promotes the protection and sustainable development of the Mont Blanc massif through cross-border cooperation and policy advocacy. Working closely with local stakeholders and the 35 municipalities of the “Espace Mont-Blanc”, the organisation supports initiatives that preserve the region’s natural and cultural heritage while encouraging sustainable tourism and responsible land use.

Founded in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global authority on environmental issues, coordinating international efforts to monitor and protect the environment. It supports governments and institutions through research, policy development, and fostering cooperation between countries. UNEP facilitates dialogue and promotes sustainable environmental governance, contributing to global environmental agreements and initiatives, including those relevant to mountain regions. Its Vienna Office was established in 2024 to act as the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention and has a focus on mountains.

WWF is one of the world’s largest environmental conservation organisations, funded in 1961 and dedicated to protecting biodiversity and addressing the most urgent threats to nature. Combining scientific expertise, field projects, and policy advocacy, WWF develops solutions that benefit both people and nature, emphasising the need for a balance between human activity and natural ecosystems. By partnering with communities, governments, and businesses, it promotes sustainable development and conservation initiatives worldwide.