HCC Key contributions:

• Policy

  HCC led the policy dimension of the MOVING project, coordinating the development of the Policy Roadmap and contributed to the Quick Start Policy Design Toolkit. Through these flagship outputs, we worked to co-produce actionable recommendations for EU, national, and local policymakers. The Roadmap set out 30 concrete policy recommendations structured around eight building blocks, while the Toolkit provided practical, step-by-step methods to design policies grounded in local realities. By bridging science, society, and policy, HCC positioned mountain communities at the heart of decision-making, ensuring that resilience, sustainability, and local voices guide the future of Europe’s mountain areas.

• Certified eco-tourism and stakeholders
  engagement

  HCC team dedicated significant effort to strengthening the certified ecotourism value chain within the Zărnești–Piatra Craiului area, which is recognized as Romania's first certified eco-destination. A core activity involved convening key local stakeholders—including the private sector, public authorities, and conservationists—to collaboratively debate current challenges and co-create strategic future scenarios for the region's long-term sustainability. This approach ensured that the growth of the ecotourism sector was strategically aligned with the preservation of the area's natural and cultural heritage. We strongly encouraged and facilitated the direct participation of local community representatives from the Southern Carpathians in high-level discussions in Brussels.
  
  To enhance this local strategic planning with broad European experience, we simultaneously facilitated two crucial international exchange initiatives. We first hosted partners and stakeholders from North Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary to encourage the sharing of best practices regarding ecotourism and conservation models across different regions. Following this, we organized a study visit for our local Romanian stakeholders to the Cairngorms, Scotland, providing them with direct exposure to one of Europe's most successful models for integrated mountain governance and sustainable tourism management. By combining focused local strategy with intentional cross-country learning, the project significantly advanced the capacity for managing certified ecotourism, ensuring the model is both profitable and resilient.

• Local youth engagement

  HCC placed a strong focus on youth engagement and certified ecotourism in Romania’s Southern Carpathians. We involved over 130 young people through workshops, field visits, and a Summer School, raising awareness of sustainable tourism, quality schemes like Mountain Products and Local Gastronomic Points, and the importance of biodiversity. At the same time, we highlighted the Zărnești–Piatra Craiului eco-destination as a successful model for linking conservation, local entrepreneurship, and community benefit. Through these initiatives, HCC positioned youth and ecotourism as key drivers for resilient and sustainable mountain communities.

• Mountain Products quality scheme

  HCC carried out in-depth research on the Optional Quality Term (OQT) “mountain product” in Romania, exploring both producer and consumer perspectives. Our studies revealed strong producer interest in certification, supported by a straightforward registration process, but also highlighted gaps in marketing and promotional support. On the consumer side, we found that while origin and authenticity are key purchase drivers, awareness of the official “mountain product” label remains limited, with many unsure about paying a premium for certified goods. By combining registry analysis, surveys, and field research, HCC has generated actionable insights to strengthen the visibility, credibility, and impact of the Mountain Quality Scheme in supporting rural economies and sustainable value chains.