Registration is now open – 9 July 2026, Brussels
The Digital Alps Conference is a major event of the Macro regional strategy for the Alpine area EUSALP organised by Action Group 5 (AG5).
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.
In 2026, the voices of the Alpine regions will be brought to the heart of Europe to shape the future of digitalisation in the Alps.
The conference will take place under the patronage of the Bavarian EUSALP Presidency and will be held as a side event ot the EU Macro-regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days (MRSBSD) in Brussels.
Registration is now open – 9 July 2026, Brussels
The Digital Alps Conference is a major event of the Macro regional strategy for the Alpine area EUSALP organised by Action Group 5 (AG5).
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.
In 2026, the voices of the Alpine regions will be brought to the heart of Europe to shape the future of digitalisation in the Alps.
The conference will take place under the patronage of the Bavarian EUSALP Presidency and will be held as a side event ot the EU Macro-regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days (MRSBSD) in Brussels.
Be one of us
9 July
2026
How on site
The Square (Brussels)
BELGIUM
How on line
Streaming live
on this page (TBC)
Digital transformation for future‑ready Alpine regions
The Digital Alps Conference aims to highlight how digital technologies — data, connectivity, AI, digital infrastructures, smart services — can support resilient, sustainable and competitive development across rural, mountain and urban areas of the Alpine space.
The 2026 edition will gather stakeholders from Alpine regions, European institutions, digital innovation ecosystems, and networks engaged in shaping a forward‑looking, inclusive and innovation‑driven Alpine digital agenda.
Our actual focus areas
DIGITAL SKILLS
DIGITAL
INFRASTRUCTURES
SMART
COMMUNITIES
SMART
SMES
DATA & AI
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY
TO SERVICES OF GENERAL INTEREST
SMART
MOBILITY
Be one of us — Join DAC 2026 in Brussels
Date:
9 July 2026 – 14.00-18.30
Venue:
The Square Brussels Convention Centre
Format:
In‑person event, held in English.
Livestreaming options may be foreseen (details to follow).
Participation:
Free of charge, upon registration.
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 2026 DAC edition
Building on previous editions, DAC 2026 will spotlight the strategic priorities of the Bavarian Presidency and the work of EUSALP AG5, including:
- Digital transition of mountain and rural communities
- Economic development of Alpine regions through new digital technologies
- Data relevance in the Alpine area (water, forests, energy, mobility, climate)
- Opportunities enabled by AI for public value
- Remote working and digital infrastructures
- Smart communities and the Smart Alps network
- The role of digitalisation in countering brain drain and attracting talent
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 or the other Macro-regional strategies.
EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Region
MILLION PEOPLE
COUNTRIES
REGIONS
MILLION PEOPLE
COUNTRIES
REGIONS
addressing together common challenges and opportunities
DAC: Discover our draft programme
Thursday
9 July 2026, 14:00 - 18:30
Digital Alps Conference,
only for registered participants
Location:
The Square (Brussels)
BELGIUM
Main audience:
MEPs, Politicians, EU Commission Policy makers, EUSALP stakeholders, experts
Main language for presentations:
English (translation provided for political round table)
TIMING
14:00
TOPIC
Welcome and registration
TIMING
14:30
TOPIC
Opening, introduction into the Conference and welcome addresses
INTERVENTION BY
Alison Hunter, Moderator of the event
Carlo Vigna, Leader of AG5
Eric Beißwenger, State Minister for European and International Affairs of Bavaria (EUSALP Presidency 2026)
Leonardo Lotto, Regional Minister for European Affair, Innovation, PNRR, national policies for Mountains and Youth policies of Valle d’Aosta autonomous Region (TBC)
Authorities from EU Commission (DG REGIO) (TBC)
TIMING
15:10
TOPIC
Keynote speech on EU Long-Term Vision for Alpine Areas
INTERVENTION BY
Roberto Viola, Director-General DG CONNECT (TBC)
TIMING
15:25
TOPIC
Keynote speech on the digital transformation for cohesion and resilience in mountain regions
INTERVENTION BY
Emilija Stojmenova Duh, University of Ljubljana, former Minister for digital transformation of the Republic of Slovenia
TIMING
15:40
TOPIC
Digital Policy Round Table for Alpine Territories
Policy-makers, experts and regional leaders from Alpine countries explore digitalisation challenges and opportunities, working towards a shared vision for the future of mountain regions
MODERATED BY
Alison Hunter, Moderator of the event
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
Policy-makers, experts and regional leaders, MEPs
TIMING
16:40
TOPIC
Coffee Break
TIMING
17:00
TOPIC
Future‑Ready Alps: Digital Transformation, Resilient Infrastructure and Public‑Value AI in Dialogue with the European Commission
INTERVENTION BY
Moderated by: Alison Hunter
Speakers:
Representatives from DG AGRI (TBC), BCO Network (TBC), EU AI Office (TBC), AG5 leader and focal points, project representatives, EUSALP Youth Councillor
TIMING
18:!5
TOPIC
Closing remarks and steps ahead
Moderator of the Round table / Carlo Vigna, Leader of AG5
TIMING
18:30
TOPIC
End of the Conference
Thursday
9 July 2026, 14:00 - 18:30
Digital Alps Conference,
only for registered participants
Location:
The Square (Brussels)
BELGIUM
Main audience:
MEPs, Politicians, EU Commission Policy makers, EUSALP stakeholders, experts
Main language for presentations:
English (translation provided for political round table)
TIMING
14:00
14:30
15:10
15:25
15:40
16:40
TOPIC
Welcome and registration
Opening, introduction into the Conference and welcome addresses
Keynote speech on EU Long-Term Vision for Alpine Areas
Keynote speech on the digital transformation for cohesion and resilience in mountain regions
Digital Policy Round Table for Alpine Territories
Policy-makers, experts and regional leaders from Alpine countries explore digitalisation challenges and opportunities, working towards a shared vision for the future of mountain regions
Coffee Break
INTERVENTION BY
Alison Hunter, Moderator of the event
Carlo Vigna, Leader of AG5
Eric Beißwenger, State Minister for European and International Affairs of Bavaria (EUSALP Presidency 2026)
Leonardo Lotto, Regional Minister for European Affair, Innovation, PNRR, national policies for Mountains and Youth policies of Valle d’Aosta autonomous Region (TBC)
Authorities from EU Commission (DG REGIO) (TBC)
Roberto Viola, Director-General DG CONNECT (TBC)
Emilija Stojmenova Duh, University of Ljubljana, former Minister for digital transformation of the Republic of Slovenia
Moderated by:
Alison Hunter
Contributions from:
Policy-makers, experts and regional leaders, MEPs
17:00
Future‑Ready Alps: Digital Transformation, Resilient Infrastructure and Public‑Value AI in Dialogue with the European Commission
Moderated by:
Alison Hunter
Speakers:
Representatives from DG AGRI (TBC), BCO Network (TBC), EU AI Office (TBC), AG5 leader and focal points, project representatives, EUSALP Youth Councillor
18:15
Closing remarks and steps ahead
Moderator of the Round table / Carlo Vigna, Leader of AG5
18:30
End of the Conference
Other networking events / opportunities
19:30 Networking dinner for participants of the DAC at Representation of the State of Bavaria to the European Union (limited places available).
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 2026 will take place at the Square Conference Center under the patronage of the Bavarian EUSALP Presidency and will be held as a side event of the EU Macro‑regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days (MRSBSD) in Brussels
