The COST project MARGISTAR was approved in May 2022 (COST Action CA21125) and the networking of partners started with the Management Committee Meeting in November 2022. The COST Action is being carried out in 26 European participating countries with the aim of supporting networking between research institutions and practice partners who intend to overcome the marginalization of mountain areas. As a COST activity, only networking activities are funded, not the research work itself. Innovative actions will be developed through a series of physical and virtual meetings over the project period of 4 years. From this cooperation, innovative implementation strategies for marginalized mountain areas are to be developed, which should enable attractive development paths and environmentally sensitive adaptation processes on the basis of new technological possibilities.
Objective
The project is based on a common understanding that identifies shortcomings in the development and design of mountain region development programs to date.These relate in particular to a defensive or negative view of the development potential of mountain regions and this is referred to as a theoretical "peripherality trap".Through the networking of these COST activities, experiences are to be exchanged between the participating countries, particularly with regard to the practical implementation of relevant initiatives and policy programs in mountain regions.The aim is to ensure that the platform established during the project period is maintained after the end of the project and forms a basis for cooperation between European mountain regions.
Status of the project and work in 2026
The Austrian case study, based on the results of the Horizon project MATILDE (BAB 039/20), was used to analyse ‘peripherality traps’ in mountainous areas. Building on various case studies, similarities and differences were identified and discussed, and are to be published in a scientific journal article. In addition, BAB participated in management meetings and various coordination workshops, which focused primarily on the publication strategy and the dissemination of the online platform ‘FAIRWAY’. Participation in further networking activities is also planned for 2026. Two special issues are scheduled to be published in scientific journals in 2026. In addition, a training school will be held in Finland. The final report for project D.3 will be prepared and submitted, and the final MARGISTAR conference will take place in September 2026.
Timetable
Project start: 11/ 2022
Project end: 12/2026
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