CA21125 - A European forum for revitalisation of marginalised mountain areas (MARGISTAR)

Mountainous areas are characterized by disparity, poorer territorial cohesion, unbalanced use and
conservation of ecosystem services, rich and exploited natural resources, and marginalization. MARGISTAR
forum reflects collaboratively on natural, environmental, social and economic inter-relationships and
interactions in mountainous areas, and identifies a range of environmental, social, economic, and political
challenges. It enables innovation through a range of physical and virtual meetings to co-design innovative
pathways for the transformation of marginalized mountainous areas towards their green, digital and healthy
futures. It establishes an online society-science-policy platform of Fairway in Europe to stimulate the
dialogue between scientists, policy makers, mountain actors, NGOs, SMEs, public bodies and private
organizations and the establishment of local Knowledge and Information Systems. MARGISTAR uses taskgroups
(TGs) to co-creatively move towards the solutions. TG 1 is responsible for
coordination/networking.TG 2 critically assesses the situation and identifies viable bottom-up visions of postmarginalized
areas and pathways towards their revitalization. TG3 facilitates capacity building and outreach.
Key scientific impacts are anticipated by using the innovative concepts of “pinching the policy maker” and
“resilience erosion”. Societal and policy impacts are primarily secured by challenging business-as-usual
discourses, facilitating the engagement of young and ITC researchers, and supporting agricultural, land use
and rural policies. MARGISTAR uses multi-/inter-/transdisciplinary approach to support the EU’s efforts for
inclusive, competitive and green economies and societies and excels in knowledge exchange, co-creation
and capacity building for socially just green recovery and climate mitigation and adaption for the revitalization
of marginalized mountainous areas across Europe to leave no one behind.