New impetus for quality of life in the Alps
Life in the Alps means far more than just an impressive mountain panorama: a good quality of life also depends on a well-functioning local administration. A project run by the University of Ljubljana is developing new strategies in collaboration with pilot regions.
Mobility, cultural offerings and local amenities: people in the Alps are generally satisfied with their quality of life, as confirmed by the 10th State of the Alps Report in 2024. However, the area of “governance” scored strikingly badly, enjoying the lowest level of public trust. Reasons for this include a lack of understanding of the concept, as well as a lack of proactive and measurable strategies at local level. Compounding the issue is the diversity of Alpine communities and their problems.
The GOVQoL project (Empowering Alpine communities to improve their quality of life), led by the University of Ljubljana with the participation of CIPRA France, aims to bridge this gap. It supports municipalities in the Alpine region in systematically and sustainably integrating quality of life into political decision-making processes. To this end, ten pilot regions are developing strategies and guidelines in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Monitoring measures in particular poses challenges for many municipalities. Certifications can offer a tangible, measurable approach here. This was highlighted in a webinar in early March 2026, using the example of the “child-friendly municipality” of Ruggell/LI.
The results of the project will be incorporated into a practical handbook, which will soon be published in all Alpine languages. It guides municipalities step by step, from analysis through to implementation, towards a liveable Alpine region.
Further information:
www.cipra.org/en/projects/govqol (en,fr)
Further information
