Job creation in desertified mountain zones the southern alps experiment As the urban-industrial society experiences a deepening crisis, it seems possible and profitable to create jobs in hitherto by-passed areas as shown by attempts made in one of the most desertified French areas, the Southern Alps. Two opposite trends are visible : shaken by secularoutmig ration and by the influxof tourists, the local society continues its déstructuration process; new settlers come in under the influence of May 1968 protest movements and now of the economic depression. This is helped by various public measures including the creation of the Southern Alps Welcome and Promotion Board. A recent evaluation study has shown that settlers have usually been successful and had positive effects on the local society and economy. As long as there is a supply of candidates for business and job creation, it is worthwhile to provide them with supporting services by coordinating all local services and institutions for finding prospective candidate, help them build their projects, explore new opportunities, provide for follow-up support.
