How can we diversify the economy in mountain areas?

• The first example was  the creation of terminals for the distribution of public services in the rural and mountain areas of the region Auvergne, in France. The Project Point Public Video (PVP) has attracted the interest of participants from the Nordic countries, Scotland, Norway and Sweden, who encounter the same problems in the distribution of public services.
• Two Norwegian initiatives:
  – «Innovative Women» targeting women living in the mountain region of Buskerud County and providing them with support to network, train and create their own business
  – «Horses as Driving Forces for Settlement, Occupation and Quality of life » has shown how one can develop a cluster of excellence in tourism and animal breeding, when the ambition and the talent are gathering the financial support in a public-private partnership
• Two Italian initiatives
  – « Culture of truffes » in Braca, Northern Italy (Lombardy region), where thanks to the know-how combined with agricultural research, local partners were able to move from the collection to the culture of the famous mushrooms                                                   – Agrischools nursery for children up to 7 years (living in the mountain villages and the surrounding towns) in the mountain farms, converted into nurseries
• An initiative of microfinance showing how the Spanish authorities (province of Teruel) have adapted to the challenges faced by small businesses in the mountain in the context of the financial crisis following 2008,
• A cooperation project between the Swedish ski resorts, set up by the regional authorities to enable ski actors to work together, save energy and network with the aim of improving skills and reducing costs.

Picture: Participants at the round table discussion, 29th of November 2011 © Ann Marit Holumsnes

On November 30, participants discussed the economic diversification on the field while exploring the Regional Park Livradois Forez and the region around. You can see the presentation given in the house of the park here.

Picture: Study visit, presentation of the organic orchard of Piocel in Sauviat, ©Torunn Kornstad

Like in other PADIMA seminars, a collection of 29 good practices from the partner region was prepared for this occasion and distributed to participants in a paper version.

Press

The press release announcing the conference results is available here (in French only).

The local press and TV has been mentioning our meeting. You can see the 2 collections of articles 1st and 2nd.

Agenda

You can download the seminar agenda here.

Picture: Puy en Velay    ©Torunn Kornstad