The article focuses mainly on the International Commission for the protection of the Alps (CIPRA) as an example of the role of non-government organisations (NGOs) in the development of the alpine region. An analysis of the problems and situation of the alpine region as well as a description of the tasks and structures of NGOs shows when and with what objectives NGOs were formed in the alpine region and what successes they have been able to achieve with what activities and with what participants. With the aid of a development phase model, it is possible to show that the CIPRA has become increasingly professional and is now a key-player in the policy of the NGOs for the alpine region. A closer analysis of the developments studied in Germany, Austria and Switzerland shows the wide and very varied spectrum of the content and policy-oriented work of the CIPRA in its federalistic structure. Among other factors, the future of the CIPRA will mainly depend on whether and how it succeeds in demanding adherence to the contents of the alpine convention and in working towards a corresponding implementation in the sustained development of the alpine region.