Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Endogenous Development in Swiss Mountain Communities

2001; International Mountain Society; Volume: 21; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1659/0276-4741(2001)021[0236

1994-7151

Sabine Mühlinghaus, Samuel Wälty,

Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering

This paper explores endogenous development as a strategy for Swiss mountain communities. Endogenous development refers to self-determined participatory development based on regional needs and the use of endogenous potentials. Data from 2 case studies, Urnäsch and Schamserberg, show that endogenous development cannot be detached from its national and global context and that local initiatives evolve as a continuous interplay between internal and external factors. The main benefits of endogenous development are within the social and cultural realm: it raises people's awareness of local problems, promotes community bonds, and fosters local identity. These effects are important because they increase the quality of life. Indirectly, they can have an effect on economic development because they motivate people to stay in their communities and become involved in local activities. Regional policy should thus pay more attention to endogenous development by promoting participation, local initiative, and social capital.