BALANCE To Open New Pathways for the Future of Alpine Landscapes – Led by RRA LUR
The Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) will coordinate 11 partners from six Alpine countries over the next three years as the Lead Partner of the European project BALANCE – Biocultural Alpine Landscapes to Nurture Communities and Enhance Eco-tourism. Following the successful completion of its preparation phase, the project officially enters its implementation stage this autumn, bringing together nature conservation, biodiversity, cultural heritage and sustainable visitor management across Alpine landscapes.
Simon’s Journey Across the Alps |
| Like many travellers, Simon sets off to explore the Alpine region by following the recommendations everyone else follows. Expecting an authentic experience, he instead finds himself among crowded viewpoints and overused trails, unknowingly adding pressure to fragile Alpine landscapes.
This time, however, things are different. Now, the easiest choice is also the one that benefits nature and local communities the most. A digital guide leads him along one of seven newly created biocultural trails, where local residents share their stories, biodiversity becomes an integral part of the experience, and every step he takes contributes to preserving the landscape. Every good decision helps Alpine landscapes remain vibrant, authentic and true to their character. These are exactly the kinds of choices that BALANCE, supported by the Interreg Alpine Space programme, aims to encourage. |
Alpine Landscapes Under Pressure Require New Conservation Approaches
Alpine landscapes are facing growing pressures from increasing visitor numbers, biodiversity loss, changes in traditional land use, and the impacts of climate change. These challenges extend beyond national borders and call for coordinated, transnational solutions.
BALANCE does not view tourism as an end in itself, but as a tool for the long-term preservation of biocultural landscapes. The project is built on the conviction that responsible visitor management can contribute to protecting nature, safeguarding cultural heritage, and creating new opportunities for local communities.
Seven New Biocultural Trails Across Six Countries
Over the next three years, project partners will develop and test a shared model for co-creating biocultural trails at seven pilot sites across six countries: Slovenia, Austria, Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland. These trails will connect natural assets, cultural heritage and local stories into meaningful visitor experiences.
The knowledge gained will be brought together into a common methodology, accompanied by practical tools and recommendations that will enable other Alpine regions to adopt the approach. In Slovenia, the new biocultural trail will be developed in the Ljubljana Marshes.
As Lead Partner of the approximately €2 million BALANCE project, co-funded by the Interreg Alpine Space programme, RRA LUR will coordinate the overall implementation of the project and the development of its joint results. This autumn marks the beginning of a collaborative process of co-creation, innovation and the search for new opportunities that support the sustainable development of Alpine communities.
