This paper is prepared for a workshop on innovation and research in mountain regions, and it will be distributed to the participants of the workshop before the meeting on July 2nd 2009 in Brussels. The aim of the workshop is to identify expectations for an initiative on innovation and research. What do the participants want to achieve through the working on innovation and research issues. Identifying issues for an action plan to further develop this area. It is important to keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of issues but are a sample selection.