The Alpine Network of Protected Areas 
Among younger generations, there is little awareness of the values and opportunities offered by the natural and cultural heritage of the Alps. This statement is backed by scientific research showing that younger generations tend to lose connection with their mountain environment. ‘Youth at the Top’ is an international project that aims to break this trend and to reconnect youth with nature and their mountain heritage. It is a collective action organized simultaneously throughout the Alps and the Carpathians on a common annual date in the summer. Mountain guides and educators organize local events to help meet this objective. The event has a symbolic dimension that goes beyond linguistic and national borders as young people share a collective experience through an overnight stay in the mountains. This project contributes towards getting the Alps recognized as a sole entity and helps raise awareness about the protection and conservation of the mountain environment.
The past two years, Youth at the Top has been marked by common themes – ‘Local Food’ and ‘Water in all its forms’. These themes encourage event organizers to find innovative ways for young people to rediscover their natural surroundings through educational, cultural and artistic activities.
Event 2022 - Photo Contest under the theme "Water in all its forms"
At the end of the events, a photo contest was held to encourage parks to take many photos. Photos play an important role in the media presence and become an increasingly important means of communication, especially for networks of protected areas. The top 5 photos, linked to the theme «water in all its forms», were rewarded. Click here for more information.
The 5 winning photos:
Photos made by © S. Zeiner © R. Facchini © M. Thomas © K. Kiskova © M. Dalmasso
ALPARC carries out this project with financial support from the German Ministry of the Environment (DE), the Principality of Monaco (MC) and the ANCT - Agence nationale de la cohésion territoriale (FR).
More info: https://youth-at-the-top.org/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YATevent/
