NRP and federalism: strengthening cohesion between cities and the countryside

by Andrea Schenone – Founder and President of the Swiss Federalism Association

Published in Montagna magazine, October 2025 issue

The New Regional Policy (NRP) of Switzerland promotes balanced and sustainable development across urban, rural, and mountainous areas, reducing regional disparities and improving economic and social competitiveness. Thanks to Swiss federalism, which grants broad autonomy to Cantons and Municipalities, the NRP adapts to local specificities, fostering dialogue between the Confederation, local authorities, and civil society.

Projects such as Smart Villages and collaboration with the Swiss Alpine Club for Mountain Regions (SAB) improve mobility, digitalization, and sustainability, creating synergies between cities and the countryside.

Objectives of the NRP

The NRP aims to strengthen the competitiveness of less-developed regions by promoting innovation and interregional cooperation. It encourages collaboration between cities and rural areas through projects that integrate resources and skills—such as digital infrastructure or sustainable tourism—responding to local needs and reducing territorial disparities.

Implementation tools

The NRP supports regional and interregional development projects, public-private partnerships, and cross-border cooperation, with special attention to mountainous and rural regions. Concrete examples include enhancing digital connectivity in remote villages and sustainable mobility solutions. Thanks to federalism, Cantons and Municipalities can adapt these initiatives to their specificities, strengthening cohesion between territories.

The role of federalism

Swiss federalism allows Cantons and Municipalities to have broad decision-making powers, enabling flexible adaptation of the NRP to local needs. This approach fosters continuous dialogue between the Confederation, Cantons, and Municipalities, with shared projects that promote mutual development and reduce inequalities.

Focus on Smart Villages

Smart Villages, a cornerstone of the NRP strategy, transform rural and mountainous communities through digital technologies and cross-sector collaboration. The NRP funds pilot projects for smart services and sustainable mobility.

• Nesslau (Canton St. Gallen): Apps were introduced to improve communication between administration and citizens and to promote local tourism, strengthening connections with cities such as St. Gallen.

• Soglio (Canton Graubünden): High-speed digital connections support sustainable tourism.

• Corippo (Ticino): Digital platforms manage a “diffused hotel,” enhancing local cultural and architectural heritage.

Concrete examples of collaboration

Over the past fifty years of regional policy, the NRP has supported numerous projects, many promoted or coordinated by the SAB. Significant examples include:

• Ruralplan: Project conducted by the SAB on behalf of SECO, dedicated to innovative planning in rural areas affected by demographic decline. Its goal was to involve a wide range of actors to develop new ideas for basic services. The Albula region represented Switzerland in the project.

• Beyond Snow: Interreg Alpine Space project aimed at supporting winter tourism destinations affected by snow shortages due to climate change. Solutions developed in nine destinations across six Alpine countries helped maintain and strengthen competitiveness. Switzerland selected Sattel-Hochstuckli (Canton Schwyz), with SAB as a partner alongside twelve other European organizations.

• Cabrio Funicular on Stanserhorn: Funded with 3 million Swiss francs by the NRP, it increased the number of visitors by 60%, revitalizing tourism in central Switzerland.

Summary

NRP and federalism: strengthening cohesion between cities and the countryside

According to Andrea Schenone, founder and president of the association Swiss Federalism, the New Regional Policy (NRP) plays a key role in strengthening national cohesion. It promotes balanced and sustainable development of urban, rural, and mountainous areas, reducing regional disparities and improving economic and social competitiveness.

Thanks to Swiss federalism, which grants Cantons and Municipalities broad autonomy, the NRP can adapt to local conditions and foster dialogue between the Confederation, local authorities, and civil society.

The NRP’s objectives are primarily achieved through support for innovation and interregional cooperation. For example, the Smart Villages project, implemented in Switzerland by the SAB, has enabled rural and mountainous communities to develop by leveraging the potential of digital technologies.

In this context, Andrea Schenone recognizes the active role of the SAB in implementing NRP projects such as Ruralplan. This international project, conducted by the SAB on behalf of SECO, focuses on innovative planning in rural areas affected by demographic decline. The Albula region represented Switzerland in the project.

About SAB

The SAB – Swiss Alpine Club for Mountain Regions is an association founded in 1943, representing and protecting the interests of Switzerland’s mountainous and rural regions. Its members include all mountain Cantons, mountain communities, agricultural and self-help organizations, mountain regions (IHG regions), other local entities, and numerous individual members.

The main activities of the SAB include:

• Political representation of the interests of mountainous and rural areas at the federal and cantonal level.

• Provision of services to support regions and mountain communities.

• Public outreach and awareness on issues and opportunities in rural and mountain areas.

For more information on ongoing activities and projects: www.sab.ch