Within the framework of the project the interaction between the environment and the mountain farming was analyzed in its totality in an European mountain area. Of particular interest was the comparison between a large variety of different structures of agriculture in several countries with a territorial possessiveness in the Alps.

The effectiveness of EU instruments was evaluated through case studies in model regions which cover the main structural types of the Alps. These results were also representative for all European mountain areas. Moreover, the agricultural and environmental EU policy was compared to that of Switzerland. The results of this study in particular may influence the future development of agricultural and regional policy. The economic benefit of the project will be, in particular, an increase in the efficiency of EU-instruments, i.e. an improved ratio between the results of measures taken and the funds spent thereon.