Start in Mountains project launches with event in Brussels!
Europe's mountainous rural areas (MRAs) are home to breathtaking landscapes, rich traditions and a growing need for economic revitalization. Start in Mountains (SIM) is a newly launched EU-funded project designed to transform these regions into thriving hubs of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Revitalizing Rural Regions
MRAs make up nearly 30% of the EU’s territory and host 13% of its population. Yet, many face serious challenges: dwindling populations, limited infrastructure, and sluggish local economies. SIM directly addresses these issues by leveraging the “Startup Village” model, creating ecosystems where startups and small enterprises can flourish, tailored to the unique needs of remote mountainous communities.
A Five-Year Commitment to Change
Officially launched on 26 and 27 May in Brussels, SIM is a five-year initiative running through 2029. Co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe, the project unites eight partners from across the continent to share knowledge, co-develop innovative policies, and foster entrepreneurial ecosystems.
“Start in Mountains is more than a project—it's a commitment to building a future for our mountain communities through shared knowledge, cooperation, and smart development.”
— Laura Gascon Herrero, President of Euromontana
Who’s Behind the Movement?
Led by the Province of Teruel (Spain) and supported by Euromontana, the European association of mountain areas, the SIM partnership includes:
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Malopolska Region (Poland)
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Grand Est Regional Council (France)
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Development Agency of Harghita County (Romania)
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Intermunicipal Community of Beiras and Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
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Balkan Foundation for Sustainable Development (North Macedonia)
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Euromontana (France – Advisory Partner)
The Government of Aragon (Spain) is also engaged as an associated policy authority.
The Road Ahead
Project partners gathered to lay the base for a successful collaboration. Thanks to the contributions of Dr Brionny Goodwin-Hawkins, Senior Research Fellow at Countryside and Community Research Institute of University of Gloucestershire, the group explored the nuances of the “Startup Village” concept and reflected on their specific challenges and resources to develop strategic management and capacity-building initiatives in their own areas.
Through collaborative policymaking, regional cooperation, and focus on entrepreneurship, SIM is set to spark economic renewal in Europe’s MRA communities. The project partners are gearing up for a first intense year of in-depth analysis and engagement with their local communities.
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