The problem
The alpine space and its ecosystems provide a range of good and services that are particularly important for protection against natural hazards (e.g. landslides and avalanches), the availability of drinking water and the development of recreational and tourism activities.  Given that ecosystems and their services go beyond national borders, a transnational approach is needed for their conservation and sustainable use.

The solution
The  AlpES (Alpine Ecosystem Services – mapping, maintenance, management) project aims to draw attention on the importance of ecosystem services in environmental policies at the regional and transnational scale, by raising awareness of AlpES target groups. As a basis for joint action, public authorities, policy makers, NGOs and economic actors need a common understanding of ecosystem services, comparable information on their status and support in using tools for integrating them in their fields of work.

Specifically, the project aims to:

• Develop an Alpine ecosystem services concept;
• Carry out a mapping and assessment of ecosystem services for the Alpine Space area including the testing in selected study regions across the Alpine Space;
• Provide stakeholders with the results through an interactive webGIS and through publication on the European platform WIKIAlps;
• Ensure a multi-level and cross-sectoral transfer of AlpES results to a maximum number of stakeholders via a suite of innovative, tailored and transferable learning tools and targeted activities.

Our contribution
Etifor is in charge of facilitating activities in the pilot area, on behalf of the Veneto Region and in collaboration with the Local Action Group Alto Bellunese. Activities include the engagement and consultation of different stakeholders in order to promote the “ecosystem services” concept, identifying the ones relevant to the territory as well as possible mechanisms for the valorization and management of the environmental services provided.

Support from the European Union: 1.829.886,45 euros