What ALPARC does

ALPARC (The Alpine Network of Protected Areas) is a non-profit association organized under French law 1901, headquartered in Chambéry, France, with a regional platform (ALPARC CENTR'ALPS) in Immenstadt im Allgäu, Germany. It functions as the Protected Areas Task Force attached to the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention, tasked with implementing Article 12 of the Nature Conservation protocol. The organization brings together approximately 1,000 protected areas representing roughly 28% of the Alpine Convention's surface area across eight countries (France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Monaco). Its mission centers on three thematic axes: biodiversity and ecological connectivity, regional development and quality of life, and education for sustainable development.

Its portfolio is built around multi-year European and bilateral projects — currently AlpsLife (2024-2027), LiveAlpsNature (2024-2027), PlanToConnect (2022-2025), and Life After Glaciers (2024-2025) — alongside recurring programmes such as Youth at the Top, the Danilo Re Memorial, Be Part of the Mountain, and the Alpine Parks 2030 strategic initiative. Operational assets include a multilingual Joomla-based website and content platform (EN/FR/DE/IT/SL), ViViAlp visitor information terminals, the JECAMI connectivity mapping tool, and extensive publication, map, and video libraries. Workforce is lean at 7 employees.

Name

ALPARC

Legal name

ALPARC

Website

https://alparc.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ALPARC is a French non-profit association that coordinates roughly 1,000 protected areas across eight Alpine countries as the Protected Areas Task Force of the Alpine Convention, delivering biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and sustainable development projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation / Protected Area Management

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

Keywords

• Protected area coordination
• Alpine conservation
• Ecological connectivity
• Biodiversity monitoring
• Environmental education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chambéry

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ALPARC is a non-profit association that coordinates and carries out actions for and with approximately 1,000 protected areas across the Alpine Arc (8 countries, France to Slovenia), contributing to the Alpine Convention under the themes of Biodiversity and Ecological Connectivity, Regional Development, and Education for Sustainable Development. The network delivers joint projects, thematic working groups, publications, events, and a regional coordination platform (CENTR'ALPS) for the German-speaking central Alps.

Product overview

ALPARC (The Alpine Network of Protected Areas) is a coordination association that brings together hundreds of protected areas across the Alps (France to Slovenia). Rather than a software platform, ALPARC's offerings consist of collaborative projects, programs, publications, and events. Key initiatives include: Youth at the Top (cross-border youth engagement), AlpsLife and LiveAlpsNature (biodiversity monitoring projects), PlanToConnect (ecological connectivity), Life After Glaciers (glacier retreat assessment), and Alpine Parks 2030 (strategic initiative). The network also operates through CENTR'ALPS (a regional platform for the German-speaking Alpine area) and provides resources including maps, publications, videos, and newsletters. ALPARC organizes workshops, seminars, and the annual Danilo Re Memorial event for protected area professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ALPARC Network Coordination Services Core coordination service: facilitates cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, joint project management, and policy advocacy for protected areas across the Alpine Arc. For protected area authorities, ministries, and policymakers.
• ALPARC CENTR'ALPS Regional Platform Decentralized regional coordination platform serving Eastern Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Bavarian Alps, and Austrian provinces (Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper Austria, South Tyrol). Adapts ALPARC initiatives to local context. For protected areas and conservation authorities in the German-speaking Alps.
• Youth at the Top Annual cross-border event where young people discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Alps and Carpathians through local events in protected areas. For schools, youth groups, protected area educators, and partner parks.
• AlpsLife Project (2024-2027) Biodiversity monitoring project across the Alps that coordinates protected areas to observe and manage Alpine biodiversity, with the motto 'Observing globally, acting locally.' For protected area managers and biodiversity researchers.
• LiveAlpsNature Project (2024-2027) Project addressing how biodiversity hotspots, tourism, and outdoor activities coexist in the Alpine region. For protected area managers, tourism authorities, and outdoor recreation stakeholders.
• PlanToConnect Project (2022-2025) Project promoting ecological connectivity to enable dynamic adaptation processes in ecosystems across the Alps. For protected area managers, spatial planners, and conservation researchers.
• Life After Glaciers Project (2024-2025) Assessment of affected Alpine glaciers in protected areas and possible management responses, including prospects for emerging ecosystems in the wake of glacier retreat. For protected area managers, glaciologists, and climate adaptation policymakers.
• Alpine Parks 2030 Strategic initiative analyzing the future of Alpine protected areas and developing recommendations for the Alpine Protected Areas System. For protected area authorities, policymakers, and regional development stakeholders.
• Be Part of the Mountain Awareness initiative promoting responsible behavior in mountain environments, particularly during winter when wildlife is most vulnerable. For protected areas, tourism operators, and outdoor recreation audiences.
• Danilo Re Memorial Annual sporting event and professional seminar for protected area staff from the Alpine and Carpathian regions to gather, exchange knowledge, and strengthen professional networks. For protected area staff and managers.
• Thematic Working Groups Facilitated working groups on Biodiversity and Ecological Connectivity, Regional Development and Quality of Life, and Education for Sustainable Development, plus topics including large carnivores, GIS, communication, and sustainable tourism. For protected area staff, researchers, and experts.
• Alpine Resources Library Digital library of publications, reports, case studies, and resources on Alpine protected areas, biodiversity, climate change, and regional development. For protected area professionals, researchers, educators, and policymakers.
• Newsletter Services Multilingual regular newsletter publications (ALPARC, CENTR'ALPS, Danilo Re Memorial, Youth at the Top) keeping subscribers informed about Alpine protected area news, events, and project updates. For protected area professionals, members, and stakeholders.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Nagelfluhkette Nature ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost location for ALPARC CENTR'ALPS regional platform since April 2019. First transboundary nature park between Germany and Austria. Central hub for coordinating conservation activities in the German-speaking central Alpine region.
• Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for International Bearded Vulture Monitoring (IBM) program. Jointly coordinates bearded vulture reintroduction and monitoring efforts across Alpine protected areas.
• Carpathian Network of Protected Areas (CNPA)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of Cooperation partner since 2008 under CBD framework. Regular exchange on ecological connectivity, large carnivore management, and protected area cooperation between Alps and Carpathians. Collaboration on Danilo Re Memorial events.
• University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical partner in Life needs Connectivity video project (produced with Federal Ministry for Environment Germany and Blue!). Contributes scientific expertise on ecological connectivity monitoring.
• Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (Germany)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Life needs Connectivity video project. Supports communication on ecological connectivity needs across land, water, and air for safeguarding biodiversity.
• Naturpark NagelfluhkettecoreOthersHost institution for ALPARC CENTR'ALPS regional platform office in Germany/Austria border region.
• Nationalpark BerchtesgadencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for CENTR'ALPS activities. Serves as contact location for regional platform. Hosts networking events, workshops, and coordinates German-language Alpine conservation efforts.
• Nationalpark Kalkalpen (Austria)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of ALPARC CENTR'ALPS network. Contributes to biodiversity protection and nature park management cooperation in the Austrian Alpine region.
• Naturpark Pfyn-Finges (Switzerland)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of ALPARC CENTR'ALPS network. Led by Peter Oggier who also serves as ALPARC President. Contributes to Swiss participation in central Alpine conservation network.
• Swiss National ParkmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of ALPARC CENTR'ALPS network. Hosted 2010 ALPARC General Assembly. Contributes to Swiss protected area coordination and ecological research.
• Netwerk Schweizer PärkeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Swiss Parks - coordination body representing Swiss protected areas within ALPARC CENTR'ALPS.
• Verband der Naturparke Österreichs (VNÖ)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Austrian Nature Parks - coordinates Austrian nature parks participation in ALPARC CENTR'ALPS and broader ALPARC activities.
• Naturpark Tiroler Lech (Austria)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of ALPARC CENTR'ALPS network. Contributes to nature conservation in the Tyrolean Alpine region.
• ASTERS Conservatoire d'espaces Naturels de Haute-SavoieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of ALPARC CENTR'ALPS network. French nature conservation association contributing to transboundary Alpine conservation.
• Alpine Convention (Permanent Secretariat)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALPARC operates as the Protected Areas Task Force attached to the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention. Implements Article 12 of the Protocol 'Nature conservation and landscape management' of the Alpine Convention.
• ISCAR (International Scientific Committee on Alpine Research)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-initiated the eco.mont journal with ALPARC - a research journal on protected mountain areas published by Austrian Academy of Sciences and Innsbruck University.
• ECONNECT Project PartnersmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project on ecological connectivity in the Alps (2009-2012). ALPARC coordinated pilot regions activities. Developed JECAMI tool for connectivity mapping and indicators.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EUROPARC Federation: Pan-European network coordinating protected areas across the continent; the closest structural analog to ALPARC at a broader (non-Alpine-specific) European scale, sharing membership, governance, and policy advocacy models.
• Carpathian Network of Protected Areas (CNPA): Regional network coordinating protected areas in the Carpathian mountains, with a Memorandum of Cooperation with ALPARC since 2008; directly comparable mission, governance, and transboundary coordination role.
• PAN Parks Foundation: Foundation that designates and supports large wilderness protected areas in Europe; comparable model of certifying, supporting, and convening individual protected areas on a regional basis.

Broad incumbents

• Wetlands International: Global NGO dedicated to wetland conservation with European programs; comparable nonprofit coordination model focused on a specific ecosystem type, with similar grant-funded, project-based operating structure.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Global conservation authority with Protected Area governance programs and category standards; operates at a much wider scale but provides the overarching policy, classification, and best-practice framework relevant to ALPARC's network.
• Alpine Convention Permanent Secretariat: Intergovernmental body to which ALPARC is formally attached; sets policy direction across the Alpine Arc and shapes the regulatory framework ALPARC implements, including Article 12 of the Nature Conservation Protocol.

Regional players

• Netwerk Schweizer Pärke: Swiss national network of parks that coordinates protected areas within Switzerland; ALPARC's direct member and a regional-level equivalent of ALPARC's pan-Alpine role confined to one country.
• Verband der Naturparke Österreichs (VNÖ): Austrian national association of nature parks that coordinates Austrian protected areas; member of ALPARC CENTR'ALPS and a country-level peer with similar membership-based coordination function.

Others

• EURAF (European Agroforestry Federation): European network promoting agroforestry across member countries; comparable membership-based, EU-funded, cross-border coordination association but focused on a different conservation/land-use domain.

Emerging players

• Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF): Specialist conservation NGO coordinating vulture and bearded vulture reintroduction across Alpine countries; ALPARC's partner on the International Bearded Vulture Monitoring program with comparable cross-border coordination function in a narrower niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@alparc-alpinenetworkofprot2293
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alpine-network-of-protected-areas-alparc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ALPARC