Case study catalogue of marginalised mountain areas in Europe

The Case study catalogue on marginalised mountain areas in Europe presents local examples of the developmental challenges faced by Europe’s remote rural and mountain regions, complementing the regional- and continental-level analyses undertaken within COST Action MARGISTAR CA21125 (A European forum for revitalisation of marginalised mountain areas). It presents a collection of 25 case studies that explore socio-economic, environmental, and governance challenges and opportunities faced by mountain communities across the continent. The authors delve into topics such as depopulation, agricultural decline, climate change, digital connectivity, sustainable resource management, and legal frameworks. The studies span a wide geographical range, from the Lapland to the Mediterranean, the Carpathians to the Iberian Peninsula, providing a comparative perspective on how different mountain areas navigate modernization, conservation, and resilience-building. By examining these cases, the catalogue offers insights into positive and negative impacts of marginalization on actors, and critical factors for development. The catalogue summarizes visions and main strategies and policies that can help revitalise and sustain these areas.