The Alliance in the Alps network of municipalities initiated in collaboration with CIPRA is an association comprising some 270 local authorities located throughout the Alpine region, from France to Slovenia. The member communities have come together in support of the goals of the Alpine Convention for sustainable development in the Alps. To this end they work in close contact with the resident populations to improve the ecological, social and economic situation in their communities. In addition they share knowledge and findings with other members of the network. These goals are achieved through a regular programme of meetings, conferences and excursions.

“Alliance in the Alps” that CIPRA contributed to establish is living proof of the fact that sustainable development and the implementation of the Alpine Convention may also occur at local level. The exchange of know-how and good practices among the communities throughout the Alps is impressive. Thus it is no surprise that an ever increasing number of communities wish to become members. The number of local authorities involved since its foundation in 1997: a five-fold increase.

CIPRA co-ordinates the activities of the community network, provides advice and handles various administrative tasks. CIPRA also organises events and supports the chair of the Alliance.

The main activities of the Alliance in the Alps include the DYNALP I and DYNALP2 projects. Until the middle of 2006, the network of municipalities ran the DYNALP I Interreg IIIB project, which focussed on rural tourism and landscape development. In collaboration with Alliance in the Alps, CIPRA subsequently established DYNALP2 as a follow-up project. It was launched in May 2006.