The benchmark forum of the mountains

The forum was created, named "Shift to Green", following Switzerland's decision to move away from nuclear power. The first edition focused on "The transition to green energy: mobilizing local and regional resources", with the participation of EPFL Professor Teddy Püttgen.

The forum was established, named « Shift to Green », in line with Switzerland's decision to phase out nuclear power. The first edition's theme was « The transition to green energy: mobilizing local and regional resources », with the participation of EPFL Professor Teddy Püttgen.

«Architecture and planning for a sustainable future for villages and small towns». This 3rd edition features a collaboration with the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Some students from the prestigious American university took up residence in Les Diablerets alongside the Forum, and proposed solutions under the guidance of architect and professor Toshiko Mori.

«Sustainable mobility, central to the economic challenges of alpine villages and valleys» is a key topic, notably featuring a collaboration with EPFL's ALICE laboratory, which resulted in the ephemeral wooden installation « 2055 », built at an altitude of 2055 meters, near the Isenau Pass.

«Smart villages: technology and a shift in mindset». This edition features a workshop in Leysin, in collaboration with Swisscom and Aigle Région, as well as a Hackathon, organized ahead of the Forum.

“Smart Villages: What Sustainable Economy for Villages?”. A symbol of the Ormonts Valley economy, the Diablobine, a playful reinterpretation of a cabin from the Isenau installation, was created by artist Pascal Bettex and then donated to the Municipality. It is now installed in front of Les Diablerets Tourist Office.

“Navigating Climate Change: Managing Risks and Seizing Opportunities”. Mayors of Alpine resorts, cultural promoters, and sustainable finance actors share their experiences. The Forum offers a series of practical workshops. Leysenoud artist LPVDA creates a wooden fresco on a barn belonging to the Municipality of Ormont-Dessus. Titled “Future,” it depicts the face of an elder looking at the new generation.

The Ecovillages Forum becomes the Moving Mountains Forum, to better reflect its function and ambition. It addresses the issue of knowledge sharing in sustainable transition, and, with sector stakeholders like freestyle champion Sarah Hoefflin, explores whether recreational and competitive sports can be an agent of this transition. It also examines the role of media in scientific popularization.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moving Mountains Forum is unfolding as a series of videos documenting the questions faced by the Municipality of Ormont-Dessus regarding the renewal of its public lighting, the Municipality of Albinen (VS) concerning the financing of its demographic survival, and mountain-engaged environmental associations in their various actions.

How can sustainable investment funds reach concrete projects in mountain regions? With a prestigious panel of speakers, including the inventor of Green Bonds and the Head of Investments at the EBRD, the Moving Mountains Forum presents several innovative solutions.

For its eleventh edition, the Moving Mountains Forum brings together several big names in alpine tourism, including Reto Gurtner (Weisse Arena), Paul Marc Julen (Zermatt), and Sébastien Travelletti (Magic Pass), as well as energy and environmental technology specialists, scientists (including ETHZ professor and IPCC member Sonia Seneviratne), and economic and political decision-makers, to identify best practices for bringing sustainable transition to the forefront.

Threats of scarcity, massive price increases, development of solar farms, dam heightening, dependence on major distributors, net-zero carbon targets... mountain communities are under intense pressure facing major energy challenges. The 12th Moving Mountains Forum takes stock, featuring a Masterclass and intense debates.

The 13th edition of the Moving Mountains Forum concretely examines how mountain communities are addressing the newfound appeal of high-altitude living in light of climate change. Accommodation, tourism repositioning, new economic activities, mobility, and energy challenges – the lively debates provided mountain stakeholders with avenues for development.

"Sustainable mobility, at the heart of economic challenges for Alpine villages and valleys," was on the agenda, notably featuring a collaboration with EPFL's ALICE laboratory, which led to the ephemeral wooden installation "2055," built at an altitude of 2055 meters, near the Isenau Pass.