While most of the Alpine arc continues to confront the megaprogetti of tourist infrastructures, a growing network of local realities is tracing an alternative path. There are 19 experiences rewarded this year with the green flags of Legambiente, concrete examples of how you can live, work and innovate in the mountains respecting its ecosystem.
Every year, within the campaign “Caravan of the Alps“, The environmental association assigns green flags to realities that contribute concretely to the protection and the sustainable development of mountain territories. Community, associations, entities and companies that demonstrate how sustainability is not a slogan are rewarded, but a flywheel capable of creating economics, cohesion and resilience. From 2002 to today, 302 flags assigned along the Alpine arc are 302. And in 2025 the recognition went to 19 exemplary experiences, in particular in the sectors of sweet tourism, mountain agriculture and socio -cultural initiatives.
Who are the protagonists of the change
To excel in this edition are Piedmont And Friuli-Venezia Giuliawith four banners each, followed by Lombardy And Veneto (3), Trentino (2), South Tyrol, Valle d’Aosta And Liguria (1). The awarded stories tell about a mountain that does not resign themselves to depopulationbut responds with creativity, care and participation.
Five flags have been assigned to sustainable tourism: from Vallorch Alpine Refuge in the Cansiglio (BL), Environmental Education Presidium, toOplon Association of the Val Tramontina (PN), which animates a small village through culture and music; from the Beigua Natural Park (Sv) al Pinerolese tourist consortium (To), up to I walk “La Via Decia” Promoted by the CAI of Scalve (BG).
Five green banners reward those who hold the earth: theRaetia farm in Valtellina recovers alpine variety at risk; there CSA CRESCO In Val Varaita he experiences shared agriculture; Marzia Verona, Pastora and Valle d’Aosta writer, combines tale and mountain zootechnics. The picture is completed byLa Serra Fondiaria Association (To), which recovers territories at risk of instability, and the ASUC DEL MONTE Bondone (TN), Community management model of collective goods.
Finally, nine green flags reward cultural and social projects capable of strengthening the community fabric. Among these, the community cooperative Face face of Ostana (CN), which regenerates an entire Alpine village with services, tourism and culture; the environmental group Nenc Cunfin who defends the Sassolungo from speculation; the project Alpha skills of Morbegno (So), who guides the boys to the Green professions. And again: the protection of the lakes of Serraia and Piazze (TN), the LINCE ITALIA PROJECT (UD), the activity of the Cadore Social Cooperative (BL), the Civic domain of Clavais (UD) and the commitment of theEquistiamo Association (BL-TN) in the defense of the Vanoi stream.
A political and environmental signal
“Green flags tell how, in the Alps, there are concrete answers to the climatic crisis and depopulation,” he underlined Giorgio Gampettigeneral manager of Legambiente. “But it is urgent that the state supports these communities with regulatory interventions and adequate resources. Voluntarism is not enough: a public direction is needed capable of recognizing the strategic value of the mountain”.
This was confirmed by Vanda Bonardo, the Alps manager of Legambiente: “The rewarding experiences outlined a community of care and vision. It is in these practices that the future identity of the mountain territories should be sought. We cannot afford to leave it sun”.
