Start in Mountains

The expected impact of the project includes the revitalization of these often-overlooked regions through the creation of favourable conditions for entrepreneurship and innovation.

By improving access to jobs, services, and infrastructure, SIM aims to make mountain areas more attractive and sustainable places to live and work. In doing so, the project supports broader European objectives such as smart economic transformation, digitalization, and inclusive regional development.

Through interregional cooperation and stakeholder engagement, SIM will lead to measurable improvements in policy design and implementation. Five key policy instruments are targeted for enhancement, incorporating lessons learned and best practices exchanged among the partner regions.

The project is also expected to significantly increase the capacity of participating organizations, benefiting from the experience-sharing and collaborative learning process. Tangible outputs of the project include a series of interregional learning events, regional stakeholder meetings, and site visits that will serve both as training opportunities and as a platform for policy co-creation.

These activities will culminate in the development of customized action plans aimed at supporting startup ecosystems in mountain areas. A robust monitoring system will track progress, while a communication strategy, including newsletters, social media, and public events, will ensure that project insights are widely shared and sustained beyond its conclusion. Ultimately, SIM will lay the groundwork for long-term structural change in how innovation policy is shaped and applied in Europe’s mountain regions.