Vision and mission

Who we are

CIPRA Austria, the national representative of CIPRA International, is committed to the protection and sustainable development of the Austrian Alpine region. It acts as an independent and objective network of Alpine experts from environmental and nature conservation organizations and from the federal provinces and contributes as a thought leader to solving current challenges in the Alpine region. In this unique constellation of its members, CIPRA Austria acts on the basis of broad consensus in pursuit of a sustainable future of the Alps.

As a key instrument for sustainable development and the preservation of the diverse Alpine region, CIPRA Austria is strongly committed to the Alpine Convention and actively contributes to shaping its future. With an awareness of the Alps’ central location in Europe, CIPRA Austria sees the protection of the Alps as a matter of European concern.

What moves us

CIPRA Austria is committed to the preservation and sustainable development of the Alpine region as a near-natural and partly untouched landscape - out of respect for its beauty and diversity. It recognises its connection to this living space. CIPRA sees itself as part of the Alps: This is where it has its place of residence, work and recreation and its future, and this is where it is active.
CIPRA Austria also recognizes the importance of the Alps for all of Europe: as a cultural and recreational space and as a reservoir of vital resources such as water, forests and biodiversity. All of this motivates its members to pursue their goals with commitment and foresight.

What we want

At the centre of our efforts are living conditions in the Alps that remain attractive and worthwhile for future generations. This includes a natural balance and an intact landscape.
CIPRA Austria is committed to a sustainable – and therefore near-natural, resource-saving, healthy, as well as humane and climate-friendly – development of the Alpine region. This also includes the (co-)shaping of political conditions which, at the local, regional, national, and international level, enable and motivate the population to participate politically, providing guidance for future-oriented economic action, and, where necessary, setting limits to land use and development to preserve the region’s ecological diversity.

For CIPRA, the continued development of national and European legislation, as well as of strategic approaches and development plans such as EUSALP, is just as important as the consistent implementation and continued development of the Alpine Convention and its protocols.

What we do

• CIPRA Austria informs and raises awareness among experts, policymakers, journalists, and all those interested in the Alpine region about current and future topics relevant to the Alps. This includes the dissemination of model projects, the identification of undesirable developments and the presentation of innovative actors. 
• CIPRA Austria connects policymakers, public authorities, and the scientific community with civil society and participates in politically relevant bodies.
• CIPRA Austria works across linguistic, cultural, geographic, and political boundaries.
• CIPRA Austria serves as a voice for natural and environmental interests in the Alpine region, as well as for the people and organizations committed to a good life in the Alps.

CIPRA Austria provides services for actors of the Alpine region:

• Consultation and cooperation with legislative and executive bodies, administrative jurisdictions, as well as with organizations, institutions, NGOs, and individuals – in line with its areas of responsibility.
• Exchange of experiences and development of joint initiatives with members, municipalities, and cities, particularly concerning the implementation of the Alpine Convention.
• Preparation of technical information, organization and realization of conferences or expert committees for the development of concepts.
• Advising decision-makers in the Alpine region.
• Drafting resolutions and declarations, making recommendations on current issues, and contributing to the continued development of the Alpine Convention or other international agreements concerning the Alpine region.
• Publishing publications.