Mountain territories are important ecosystems exposed to a series of risks and threats: abandonment, use of inappropriate development models, lack of an integrated sustainable approach, loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems. To meet these challenges a transnational project team consisting of 11 organisations from 9 countries will develop and transfer a Sustainable Development and Management Model which can provide an integrated strategy to enhance the preservation and valorisation of mountain areas. Common work around 3 thematic areas will take place: a) identification of economic activities compatible with sustainable development of mountain territories; b) development of coordinated and integrated policies/management plans; c) methods and strategies for information, training and awareness raising. 4 action phases will be implemented to guarantee concrete results which can be transferred to each partner/territory and beyond: 1) Exchange of information, experiences and the identification of European good practices; 2) Development of a Sustainable Development and Management Model through 3 Working Groups; 3) The drawing up of Management Plans and carrying out of territorial concertation involving decision-makers and economic actors, and; 4) Test & transfer of the Model/Management Plans through e.g. mainstreaming workshops, pilot actions and awareness raising targeting decision-makers, economic actors and the public in general. This will result in a better capacity of decision-makers to coordinate and manage sensitive areas, improved capabilities of economic actors to invest in appropriate economic sectors, public participation through improved awareness of the natural value of the territory and ultimately, territories with enhanced biodiversity and valorisation of natural resources. The project outputs consists, amongst others, of the integrated Sustainable Development and Management Model, 9 Management Plans, an Online Platform and a Mountain Network. Achievements: • Common sustainable development and management model for mountain areas to marry economic growth and environmental protection• Coordinated management plans and policies reconciling growth and environmental protection in mountain areas• Good practice report on sustainable development policy approaches• Management plan for Ljubišnja (in Montenegrin)• Management plan for Pindos massif (in Greek)• Management plan for Smolyan region (in Bulgarian)• Management plan for Sölktäler Nature Park in Austria (in English)• Management plan for the Călimani national park (in Romanian)• Management plan for the Domogled-Valea Cernei national park (in Romanian)• Management plan for the Monti Sibillini nature park (in Italian)• Management plan for Vas county (in Hungarian)• Report from analysis of sustainable economic activities and products for SEE mountain areas• Stakeholder engagement and awareness raising for sustainable development in mountain areas• State of play analysis matching territorial needs with sustainable development solution• Toolbox facilitating the implementation of the common sustainable development and management model in mountain areasFor more information see:http://www.southeast-europe.net/en/projects/approved_projects/?id=123