Major global changes such as global warming, demographic and social change, species biodiversity loss, migration, digitalization, constantly raise new questions - particularly in mountain regions. These issues concern not only the relationship between people and their natural environments but also raise issues about social aspects and the responsible use of resources.

All these aspects are addressed by our projects working directly in the field towards a socio-ecological transformation. Together with various interest groups, we develop and implement, adaptable and individually considered concepts for the protection of herds, enabling people and wildlife to live side by side. We research how cultural heritage and natural and social community assets can be revalued or how migrants can be better integrated into rural communities and how digitalization and new forms of soft mobility can contribute to keeping remote valleys alive. Another focus of the institute is how to support regional and local cycles and value chains in forestry or food production. By supporting close cooperation between agriculture, the hospitality industry and trade, locally produced food can come directly from the farm to the table - a central contribution to a more sustainable food system and tourism.