AlVelAl has more than 170 members (farmers, businessmen and women, teachers, researchers, municipalities, universities and research institutes) and it focuses its work on three main issues: 1) preventing mountain areas to be left deserted 2) contrasting the effects of climate change 3) restoring the social, economic, environmental and cultural capital of mountain landscapes. AlVelAl is a grassroot, buttom-up association, which works on the empowerment of mountain people through capacity building activities. It engages mountain communities in decision-making processes that affect them and the ecosystems they inhabit. AlVelAl builds networks among farmers, businessmen and women, the youth and women so that different stakeholders can share their knowledge on agroecology, value chains and business models. AlVelAl is committed to maintain and enhance the conservation, health, vitality and stewardship of mountain ecosystems in order to preserve their value and the benefit they provide to mountain communities and to communities living in the surrounding lowlands.