A video message from Commissioner Elisa Ferreira to mountain communities: Europe invests in mountains in many ways, and it will continue to do so

The European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira dedicates a special video message to mountain communities for the Montana174 project.

“Europe’s geography and history has been defined by our mountains” states Commissioner Ferreira. “In the mountains it is challenging to provide infrastructure and public services. Economic opportunities have long been limited in many of them, and many young people leave them. But I formally believe that mountain regions have or can have a bright future”, she continues.

In her speech, the Commissioner recalls that the European Cohesion Policy has made several investments in mountains areas in the past – from local economy, renewable energy, transport, to sustainable tourism and access to public services.

“We will continue this investment in the coming years. In formulating new programmes, we are paying particular attention to mountain areas.” said the Commissioner and adds that “European Cohesion Policy will continue to work so that no mountain region is left behind and that all prosper and thrive in the green and digital economy.”

In this crucial day of European identity, Euromontana welcomes the commitment of European Union’s institutions towards promoting the territorial cohesion for all, including mountain areas. Euromontana believes that the funds of the Cohesion Policy offer enormous opportunities for mountain stakeholders and launch its call for local actors to make use the funds that will be made available over the 2021-2027 period for mountain development.

Background: Mountain areas cover more than a quarter of the European Union and one citizen every sixth resides in mountains. This press release was produced in the frame of the Montana174 project, a European-funded communication campaign which runs from October 2021 until September 2022 and aims to raise awareness on the impacts Cohesion Policy in mountains. It is coordinated by Euromontana, the European association of mountain areas, and involves a total of 5 other partners across Europe.