MARGISTAR – EU COST Action, launched to further sustainability in mountainous regions

MARGISTAR – A European Forum for Revitalisation of Marginalised Mountain Area Programme: European Cooperation in Science and Technology – COST

Implementation period: 16 September 2022 – 15 September 2026

MARGISTAR is a European COST Action dedicated to developing new approaches for the revitalisation of marginalised mountain areas and supporting their transition towards green, digital, resilient and healthy futures.

Mountain regions cover a substantial part of Europe and provide essential ecosystem services, natural resources, biodiversity, cultural landscapes and opportunities for rural development. At the same time, many mountain communities face demographic decline, limited access to services and infrastructure, economic inequalities, environmental pressures and the effects of climate change. MARGISTAR brings together researchers, public authorities, local communities, civil society organisations, businesses and other stakeholders to examine these interconnected challenges and jointly develop effective pathways towards sustainable territorial development.

The Action promotes interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary cooperation by connecting environmental, social, economic and policy research. Particular attention is given to identifying the processes that contribute to marginalisation, strengthening the resilience of mountain communities and ecosystems, and developing locally adapted solutions based on knowledge exchange and active stakeholder participation.

MARGISTAR activities are organised through three Working Groups:

• Working Group 1 – Collaboration and Networking, focused on strengthening cooperation between researchers, institutions and stakeholders;
• Working Group 2 – Knowledge Synthesis and Co-creation with Stakeholders, dedicated to analysing marginalisation processes and developing shared visions and transformation pathways;
• Working Group 3 – Capacity Building and Outreach, focused on training, knowledge transfer, communication and the involvement of early-career researchers.

An important result of the Action is the development of FAIRWAY in Europe, an online society–science–policy platform designed to facilitate dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation among scientists, policymakers, mountain communities, NGOs, SMEs, public institutions and private organisations.

Through its participation in MARGISTAR, the Institute of Forestry contributes its expertise in forestry, sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem services, environmental protection, spatial planning and climate-change adaptation. Participation in the Action strengthens the Institute’s international cooperation and supports the exchange of scientific knowledge and practical experience relevant to the sustainable development of mountain regions in Serbia and across Europe.