The Digital Alps Conference is a major event of the Macro regional strategy for the Alpine area EUSALP.
The conference will bring together visionary leaders, policy experts and pioneers to explore how digital technologies can unlock the full potential of rural and mountain territories in the Alps.
The aim is to bring together all initiatives and projects dealing with digitalization in the Alps and to
unleash the potentials of digitalization.
The Digital Alps Conference is a major event of the Macro regional strategy for the Alpine area EUSALP.
The conference will bring together visionary leaders, policy experts and pioneers to explore how digital technologies can unlock the full potential of rural and mountain territories in the Alps.
The aim is to bring together all initiatives and projects dealing with digitalization in the Alps and to
unleash the potentials of digitalization.
Be one of us
29 April
30 April
2025
How on site
Grandhotel Lienz (Lienz)
Austria
How on line
Streaming live
on this page
We build the future based on our common experiences
The Digital Alps Conference is an event organized by Action Group 5 (AG5) of EUSALP every year in a different Alpine region. This will allow to get in touch with more key stakeholders and to increase the visibility. In the year 2025, the Conference will be an official event of the EUSALP Austria and Liechtenstein Presidency and will be organised in cooperation with the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Municipality of Lienz.
This year, the conference focus on the themes of AI, Dataspaces and future challenges, Opportunities for Digital Transformation, Future-Proof Digital Infrastructures and EUSALP Open Platforms.
Our actual focus areas
DIGITAL SKILLS
DIGITAL
INFRASTRUCTURES
SMART
COMMUNITIES
SMART
SMES
OPEN DATA / BIG DATA
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY
TO SERVICES OF GENERAL INTEREST
CROSSBORDER
MOBILITY
By attending the most innovative conference of the year, you will be able to:
- Learn about the latest initiatives in the digital domain in the Alps and participate in dedicated workshops;
- Get to know the Smart Alps network and discover best practices for making the Alps smarter and more sustainable;
- Visit the fascinating places in Lienz and local best practices on digitalisation.
Don’t miss this opportunity: register now and secure your place at the Digital Alps Conference 2025!
The voices and opinions of the young generation are important, so during the Digital Alps Conference 2025 we will also have the participation of representatives of the EUSALP Youth Council.
What DAC represents
A focal point to
gather all initiatives
and projects dealing
with the aspects
of connectivity and
digitalization in the
Alpine area
A display
of the great
potential of
digitalization
An innovative way to
introduce our
international guests
to the topic of
digitalization in the
Alpine area
A unique occasion to
present all AG5’s
activities and other
AG’s initiatives
regarding
digitalization
What DAC represents
A focal point to gather all initiatives and projects dealing with the aspects of connectivity and digitalization in the Alpine area
A display of the great potential of digitalization
An innovative way to introduce our international guests to the topic of digitalization in the Alpine area
A unique occasion to present all AG5’s activities and other AG’s initiatives regarding digitalization
The 2025 DAC edition
The Digital Alps Conference 2025 is an official event of the EUSALP Austria and Liechtenstein Presidency and will be organised in cooperation with the Principality of Liechtenstein and hosted by the Municipality of Lienz.
The DAC 2025 is organized with the other relevant actors of EUSALP, focusing on the themes of AI, Dataspaces and future challenges, Opportunities for Digital Transformation, Future-Proof Digital Infrastructures and EUSALP Open Platforms.
The aims of the fifth edition of the Digital Alps Conference are to:
- bring the topic of digitalization to the forefront of policy making;
- strengthen the cooperation between urban and rural areas thanks to the potentials of digitalization;
- discuss how to unleash the potentials of digitalization by future-proof digital infrastructures;
- analyse the impact of the digitalization in the different Macro-regional strategies;
- identify common objectives and activities to deal with Dataspaces and Artificial Intelligence in the Alpine area;
- provide an update of the work on Smart communities and the Alpine network of Smart villages and Smart Regions SMART ALPS;
- anticipate the future digital trends that are relevant for the Alpine area;
- bring together key stakeholders and networks in the alpine area dealing with digitalization;
- present the diverse activities of EUSALP
Take action
We believe in our project as well as in your participation.
Multiple perspectives can broaden horizons and lead to a bright future.
Sign in if you are either:
convinced that digitalization offers new perspectives for the Alpine area and want to share your ideas and thoughts with us
interested in the digital transition in the Alpine area
eager to learn how dataspaces and AI can help the Alps to become smarter;
already active in existing networks and initiatives dealing with digitalization in the Alpine area
a representative from public authorities and service providers dealing with digitalization
a stakeholder of EUSALP and the Alpine Space Programme.
EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Region
MILLION PEOPLE
COUNTRIES
REGIONS
MILLION PEOPLE
COUNTRIES
REGIONS
addressing together common challenges and opportunities
DAC: Discover our two-day programme
Tuesday
29 April 2025, 15:00 - 18:30
Digital Alps Conference,
only for registered participants
Location:
Grandhotel Lienz (Lienz)
Austria
Main audience:
Visionary leaders, policy experts and pioneers on digitalisation
Main language for presentations:
English
On the first day the conference will bring together leaders and experts to explore how digital technologies, like AI and data, can benefit rural and mountain areas in the Alps. The event features keynotes, interactive workshops on digital transformation and infrastructure, networking, and sessions to outline future actions for the Alpine digital agenda.
In the evening there will be the opportunity to network during the Apèro-dinner and visit the cultural sites of Lienz.
TIMING
15:00
TOPIC
Opening and introduction into the Conference and welcome addresses
INTERVENTION BY
Mario Döller, Moderator of the event
Elisabeth Blanik – Major of Lienz
Carlo Vigna – Leader of EUSALP Action Group 5
Michael Roth and Angelika Layr – EUSALP AT/FL Presidency
Martin Mayerl – Member of the Tyrolean Parliament, Mayor of Doelsach
TIMING
15:15
TOPIC
Keynote speech on the relevance of the digital transformation of rural and mountain territories
INTERVENTION BY
Reinhard Willfort – Innovation Service Network GmbH
TIMING
15:35
TOPIC
Keynote speech on AI perspectives for mountain and rural areas
INTERVENTION BY
Sabine Singer – Sophisticated Simplicity GmbH
TIMING
15:55
TOPIC
Introduction to parallel workshops
INTERVENTION BY
Mario Döller, Moderator of the event
TIMING
16:00
TOPIC
Coffee Break
TIMING
16:15
TOPIC
Thematic workshop:
Artificial Intelligence, Dataspaces & future challenges in the Alpine area
INTERVENTION BY
Moderated by: Sabine Singer – Sophisticated Simplicity GmbH
Speakers:
Fritz Fahringer – Standortagentur Tirol GmbH
Patrick Ohnewein – NOI Techpark Sudtirol (TBC)
Christian Micheloni – University of Udine
Gianmarco Piola – Piemonte Innova Foundation
Eleonora Tassan – Trentino Digitale
Alexander Valentinitsch – SCCH
Robin Mannhorst – EUSALP Youth Council
Thematic workshop:
Different ways of digital transformation of rural territories and cross-macroregional perspectives
INTERVENTION BY
Moderated by: Peter Niederer – SAB
Speakers:
Elena Not – Bruno Kessler Foundation
Jure Trilar – University of Ljubljana
Luciano Galetti and Francesca Leoni – Autonomous Province of Trento
Claudia Singer – PA10 EUSDR
Michael Roth – EUSALP AT/FL Presidency and Executive Board member
Franz Josef Allmayer – digihub.li
Thematic workshop:
Building Resilient Digital Infrastructures for a Smarter Alpine Future
INTERVENTION BY
Moderated by: Paolo Perucci – Friuli-Venezia-Giulia autonomous Region
Speakers:
Stefan Clara – Municipality of Amlach
Kussai Shahin– Trentino Digitale
Angelo Bassi – University of Trieste
Luigi Palopoli – University of Trento
Patrik Stacher – Liechtenstein State Administration
Thematic workshop:
Discovering Hidden Treasures: Enabling Open Platforms on EUSALP Key Priorities
INTERVENTION BY
Moderated by: Gianluca Lentini – Poliedra
Speakers:
Elisabetta Sovilla – Autonomous Province of Trento (TBC)
Cassiano Luminati – Polo Poschiavo
Sara Stemberg – Bruno Kessler Foundation
Fabio Carnelli – EURAC Research
Wolfgang Lexer – Umweltbundesamt GmbH
James Runnalls – Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG)
Claire Morrier – EUSALP Youth Council
TIMING
17:45
TOPIC
Plenary session: Wrap-up of the workshops
Moderator of the event and workshops moderator
TIMING
18:00
TOPIC
Closing policy recommendations
TIMING
18:20
TOPIC
Conclusions and way ahead
INTERVENTION BY
Carlo Vigna – Leader of EUSALP Action Group 5
TIMING
18:30
18:45
20:30
TOPIC
End of the Conference
Aperò-Dinner (only for DAC participants)
Cultural visit of Lienz by night (only for DAC participants)
Tuesday
29 April 2025, 15:00 - 18:30
Digital Alps Conference,
only for registered participants
Location:
Granhotel Lienz (Lienz)
Austria
Main audience:
Visionary leaders, policy experts and pioneers on digitalisation
Main language for presentations:
English
On the first day the conference will bring together leaders and experts to explore how digital technologies, like AI and data, can benefit rural and mountain areas in the Alps. The event features keynotes, interactive workshops on digital transformation and infrastructure, networking, and sessions to outline future actions for the Alpine digital agenda.
In the evening there will be the opportunity to network during the Apèro-dinner and visit the cultural sites of Lienz.
TIMING
15:00
15:15
15:35
15:55
16:00
TOPIC
Opening and introduction into the Conference and welcome addresses
Keynote speech on the relevance of the digital transformation of rural and mountain territories
Keynote speech on AI perspectives for mountain and rural areas
Introduction to parallel workshops
Coffee Break
INTERVENTION BY
Mario Döller, Moderator of the event
Elisabeth Blanik – Major of Lienz
Carlo Vigna – Leader of EUSALP Action Group 5
Michael Roth and Angelika Layr – EUSALP AT/FL Presidency
Martin Mayerl – Member of the Tyrolean Parliament, Mayor of Doelsach
Reinhard Willfort – Innovation Service Network GmbH
Sabine Singer – Sophisticated Simplicity GmbH
Mario Döller, Moderator of the event
16:15
Thematic workshop:
Artificial Intelligence, Dataspaces & future challenges in the Alpine area
Moderated by:
Sabine Singer – Sophisticated Simplicity GmbH
Speakers:
Fritz Fahringer – Standortagentur Tirol GmbH
Patrick Ohnewein – NOI Techpark Sudtirol (TBC)
Christian Micheloni – University of Udine
Gianmarco Piola – Piemonte Innova Foundation
Trentino Digitale – Irritre project (TBD)
Alexander Valentinitsch – SCCH
Robin Mannhorst – EUSALP Youth Council
Thematic workshop:
Different ways of digital transformation of rural territories and cross-macroregional perspectives
Moderated by:
Peter Niederer – SAB
Speakers:
Elena Not – Bruno Kessler Foundation
Jure Trilar – University of Ljubljana
Luciano Galetti and Francesca Leoni – Autonomous Province of Trento
Claudia Singer – PA10 EUSDR
Michael Roth – EUSALP AT/FL Presidency and Executive Board member
Franz Josef Allmayer – digihub.li
Thematic workshop:
Building Resilient Digital Infrastructures for a Smarter Alpine Future
Moderated by:
Paolo Perucci – FVG Region
Speakers:
Stefan Clara – Municipality of Amlach
Kussai Shahin– Trentino Digitale
Angelo Bassi – University of Trieste
Luigi Palopoli – University of Trento
Patrik Stacher – Liechtenstein State Administration
Thematic workshop:
Discovering Hidden Treasures: Enabling Open Platforms on EUSALP Key Priorities
Moderated by:
Gianluca Lentini – Poliedra
Speakers:
Cassiano Luminati – Polo Poschiavo
Sara Stemberg – Bruno Kessler Foundation
Fabio Carnelli – EURAC Research
Wolfgang Lexer – Umweltbundesamt GmbH
James Runnalls – Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG)
Claire Morrier – EUSALP Youth Council
17:45
18:00
18:20
Plenary session: Wrap-up of the workshops
Closing policy recommendations
Conclusions and way ahead
Moderator of the event and workshops moderator
Carlo Vigna – Leader of EUSALP Action Group 5
18:30
18:45
20:30
End of the Conference
Aperò-Dinner (only for DAC participants)
Cultural visit of Lienz by night (only for DAC participants)
Wednesday
30 April 2025, 09:00 - 12:30
only to registered participants
Location:
Lienz MCI Campus, Linker Iselweg 21, Austria
Main audience:
General public
Main language for presentations:
English
Extend your conference experience with a special side visit the following day, showcasing the region’s best practices in digital transformation and sustainability. This exclusive opportunity offers hands-on insights into successful local initiatives, providing inspiration for replicable strategies across the Alpine region.
TIMING
09:00
TOPIC
Opening and introduction into the side visit
INTERVENTION BY
Hansjörg Jaufenthaler, MCI Campus Lienz
Carlo Vigna – Leader of EUSALP Action Group 5
Michael Roth and Angelika Layr – EUSALP AT/FL Presidency
TIMING
09:15
TOPIC
Best practices expo in parallel:
Machine-learning-based Natural Hazard Prevention
INTERVENTION BY
Steve Weingarth – MCI and University of Innsbruck
Best practices expo in parallel:
Digital Innovation Hub West
INTERVENTION BY
Raphael Schaller – Standortagentur Tirol
Best practices expo in parallel:
Digitalisation and Mobility
Projekt JRZ Vision2Move
INTERVENTION BY
Johannes Georg Larcher – FH Kufstein Tirol
Alberto Dianin – EURAC Research
TIMING
12:30
TOPIC
Light lunch (only for DAC participants)
Wednesday
30 April 2025, 09:00 - 12:30
only to registered
participants
Location:
Lienz MCI Campus, Linker Iselweg 21, Austria
Main audience:
General public
Main language for presentations:
English
Extend your conference experience with a special side visit the following day, showcasing the region’s best practices in digital transformation and sustainability. This exclusive opportunity offers hands-on insights into successful local initiatives, providing inspiration for replicable strategies across the Alpine region.
TIMING
09:00
09:15
TOPIC
Opening and introduction into the side visit
Best practices expo in parallel:
- Machine-learning-based Natural Hazard Prevention
- AI use cases: opportunities and risks
- Digitalisation and Mobility – Projekt JRZ Vision2Move
INTERVENTION BY
Hansjörg Jaufenthaler, MCI Campus Lienz
Carlo Vigna – Leader of EUSALP Action Group 5
Michael Roth and Angelika Layr – EUSALP AT/FL Presidency
- Steve Weingarth – MCI and University of Innsbruck
- Raphael Schaller – Digital Innovation Hub West and Michael Rader – Fraunhofer Austria
- Johannes Georg Larcher – FH Kufstein Tirol and Alberto Dianin – EURAC Research
12:30
Light lunch (only for DAC participants)
Logistical aspects
The Digital Alps Conference is a public event. Participation is free of charge.
Registration is required.
The Digital Alps Conference 2025 will be held at Grandhotel Lienz, a magnificent place to appreciate the beauty of the Ossttirol Alps.
To participate in presence, you can find more information on travelling to Osttirol by train here.
Online participation only allows the streaming of events in the main hall.
