Sustainability and Resilience Report
PeakED promotes sustainable, low-impact and resilient practices in mountain areas, supporting ecosystem protection, community well-being and long-term environmental balance. It fosters inclusive approaches that empower local communities and ensure that mountain ecosystems continue to provide value over time.
Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Ecosystem Management
This focus area is about improving outcomes in mountain regions through resilient and sustainable tourism practices. It includes activities and initiatives that promote environmentally responsible tourism, biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. It also addresses the role of local communities, stakeholders and tourism operators in maintaining the balance between economic development and ecosystem protection. This area further refers to the adoption of practices that minimize environmental impact while enhancing the long-term viability and resilience of mountain ecosystems.
REPORT ON OUR PROGRESS
The following table presents the key sustainability and resilience performance measures of the PeakED project, along with the corresponding targets and achieved results. It provides an overview of the project’s progress across the four main focus areas, highlighting the extent to which planned objectives have been met. The indicators are based on both the findings of the desktop research and the insights gathered during the pilot Living Lab, reflecting real conditions, stakeholder engagement and the practical impact of the project’s activities.
| AREA | PERFORMANCE MEASURE | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Ecosystem Management | Adoption of sustainable tourism practices by local stakeholders | Target | 50% of participants engaged | 60% of participants engaged |
| Result | 60% of participants engaged | 65% of participants engaged | ||
| Awareness level on biodiversity and ecosystem protection | Target | Medium to High improvement | High improvement | |
| Result | High improvement observed | High improvement | ||
| 2) Climate Resilience Assessment | Integration of resilience into local practices | Target | Initial integration | Measure Under Review |
| Result | Moderate integration achieved | NA | ||
| 3) Waste Management | Percentage of waste generated in mountain areas that is properly managed through recycling, reuse or environmentally responsible disposal practices. | Target | 50 | 60 |
| Result | 60% | 65% | ||
| 4) Community Engagement and Participatory Governance | Number of stakeholders participating in Living Labs | Target | Ν/Α | 15 |
| Result | N/A | 20 | ||
| Level of stakeholder engagement and active contribution throughout the project lifecycle | Target | Moderate engagement | High engagement | |
| Result | Moderate engagement | High and consistent engagement observed | ||
| Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships established (local authorities, NGOs, private sector) | Target | 3 partnerships | 7 partnerships | |
| Result | 5 partnerships established | 7 partnerships established | ||
| Hours of structured consultation and feedback sessions conducted | Target | 100 hours | 200 hours | |
| Result | 150 hours | 200 hours | ||
ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS IN 2025
| ACTION TYPE | DESCRIPTION | ACTIVITIES | IMPACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Living Lab implementation for sustainable mountain development | Pilot Living Lab sessions with stakeholders | Enhanced stakeholder collaboration and co-creation of locally adapted solutions |
| Training program on sustainable practices in mountain areas | Workshops, training sessions and educational modules | Improved knowledge and skills on sustainability and environmental management | |
| Assessment | Desktop research on mountain ecosystems and community needs | Analysis of policies, best practices and regional challenges | Identified opportunities for energy & GHG savings. |
| Stakeholder needs and perception analysis | Feedback collected during Living Lab activities | Better understanding of local needs and priorities | |
| Project | Environmental awareness and community engagement actions | Local events, discussions and participatory activities | Strengthened environmental awareness and community involvement |
| Identification of risks and proposed adaptation strategies | Improved capacity to respond to environmental and climate challenges |
KEY ACTIONS TAKEN:
PeakED supported the implementation of Living Labs as collaborative spaces for sustainable mountain development:
- In 2026, pilot Living Labs were conducted, engaging more than 70 stakeholders from local communities, public authorities and the tourism sector.
- These activities led to the co-creation of five locally adapted solutions addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges in mountain areas.
- ► The project delivered targeted training activities to enhance sustainability-related knowledge and skills:
- More than 100 hours of training were provided to over 60 participants, including youth, professionals and local stakeholders.
- The training focused on sustainable tourism, biodiversity protection and climate adaptation practices in mountain ecosystems.
- ► PeakED conducted research and analysis to better understand sustainability challenges in mountain regions:
- Desktop research was carried out to examine existing policies, risks and best practices across partner countries.
- This process contributed to the identification of key gaps and opportunities for sustainable and resilient development.
- ► Stakeholder consultation and feedback were integrated into the project development process:
- Six structured consultation sessions were organized within the Living Labs.
- These sessions ensured that project outcomes were aligned with local needs and realities, strengthening their relevance and applicability.
- ► The project promoted climate resilience and adaptive approaches in mountain areas:
- Environmental risks such as biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate pressures were identified and analyzed.
- Five adaptation strategies were proposed to enhance the resilience of local communities and ecosystems.