PADIMA is a project of exchange of good practice in fighting depopulation in mountain areas. 8 partners from 5 European countries engaged in a 3-year collaboration and produced policy guidlines on successful methods to attract new inhabitants to mountain areas.
How to increase the attractiveness of mountain areas?
European mountains are spaces with an extraordinary development potential. Living in a mountain area is about a dream and the quality of life: beautiful landscapes, proximity to nature, fresh air but also the possibilities of jobs in local economy and, thanks to broadband connections, elsewhere in the world.
So why do people leave? What would they need more in order to stay? And how to help those coming in to feel at home? Solutions are neither simple nor easy to find. Population trends and demographic issues are very complex and need to be analysed at a proper scale. Reversing the negative demographic trends by increasing the attractiveness and the quality of life in mountain areas requires addressing several aspects that are closely interrelated, like the education and training possibilities, economic diversification as well as the capacity of the territory to communicate its strengths.
PADIMA’s project partners are convinced that the problem of depopulation should be addressed at policy level, especially at national and regional scale. Together, we want to show that investments targeted at actions that help to prevent depopulation in mountain areas should be undertaken by respective European regions. Partners have already taken action and we can tell you how we did it! Experiences and practices in developing the human potential of these mountain regions show that activating their human capital permits them to stimulate the regions’ own development.
What did we notice?
Experiences and practices in developing the human potential of these mountain regions show that activating their human capital permits them to stimulate the regions’ own development.
Trends observed in the data collection and the way regional and local authorities act to counter depopulation lead us to define different target groups for formulating strategies to increase attractiveness of mountain areas. These are: young, working and retired people. Thus, we have designed 3 brochures with targeted information for each group age. They are available down and are addressed to policy makers and administrative stakeholders working in and for mountain areas. Have a look at our brochures!
A brighter future for young people in mountain areas!
Attracting more working people in mountain areas
Increasing the attractiveness of mountain areas for retired people
Padima is co-financed by the ERDF and by the INTERREG IVC programme.
The Interregional Cooperation Programme INTERREG IVC, financed by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund, helps Regions of Europe work together to share experience and good practice in the areas of innovation, the knowledge economy, the environment and risk prevention. EUR 302 million is available for project funding but, more than that, a wealth of knowledge and potential solutions are also on hand for regional policy-makers.
