MARGISTAR’s WG2 was tasked with identifying (1) periphery traps, (2) potential solutions, and (3) visions of post-marginalised futures in European mountainous areas. For this, we have developed a case study catalogue that covers European mountainous areas and their periphery traps, transition pathway opportunities, and visions for post-marginalised futures.
The Case Study Catalogue on marginalised mountain areas in Europe presents local examples of the developmental challenges faced by Europe’s remote rural and mountain regions, complementing the regional- and continental-level analyses undertaken within MARGISTAR. It presents a collection of 25 case studies that explore socio-economic, environmental, and governance challenges and opportunities faced by mountain communities across the continent. The authors delve into topics such as depopulation, agricultural decline, climate change, digital connectivity, sustainable resource management, and legal frameworks. The studies span a wide geographical range, from the Lapland to the Mediterranean, the Carpathians to the Iberian Peninsula, providing a comparative perspective on how different mountain areas navigate modernization, conservation, and resilience-building. By examining these cases, the catalogue offers insights into positive and negative impacts of marginalization on actors, and critical factors for development. The catalogue summarizes visions and main strategies and policies that can help revitalise and sustain these areas.
