Migration and Political Participation in the Susa Valley: Challenges and Opportunities for Inclusion

Abstract ID: 3.9546
|Review Result Accepted as Talk
|Abstract not registered Abstract not registered
| TBA
|Presentation Location TBA
Zogu, G. (1)
(1) Eurac Research, Kaserngasse 16, 1230 Wien, AT
How to cite: Zogu, G.: Migration and Political Participation in the Susa Valley: Challenges and Opportunities for Inclusion, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.9546, 2025.
Categories: Migration, Policy
Keywords: rural, participation, inclusion, governance
Categories: Migration, Policy
Keywords: rural, participation, inclusion, governance
Abstract

The Susa Valley, a historically significant transit corridor in the Western Alps, has become a key site for migration dynamics in rural and mountainous Europe. While much attention has been given to border enforcement and humanitarian responses, less is known about the long-term integration of migrants into the valley’s socio-political fabric. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities for migrant inclusion in local governance and community life, analyzing how grassroots initiatives, institutional responses, and translocal networks shape political participation and social cohesion. Based on qualitative fieldwork, the research highlights both structural barriers—such as limited access to formal political channels and socio-economic precarity—and the agency of migrants in forging alternative forms of civic engagement. By situating the Susa Valley within broader debates on migration in peripheral regions, this study offers insights into how rural and mountainous areas can move beyond narratives of crisis toward more inclusive governance models.