Savoy was an UNPO member between 2014 and 2023.  

The people of Savoy (Savoisiens) were represented in UNPO by the Provisional Government of the State of Savoy, which advocates for recognition of Savoy as a distinct national community under international law. Since its annexation to France in 1860, Savoyards argue that their cultural, political, and linguistic identity has been marginalised—they contend that Savoy is not merely a French region but a historically independent people whose sovereignty and minority rights are insufficiently recognised. 

One key grievance is environmental justice: in a 2016 open letter, the Provisional Government denounced unequal enforcement of anti-pollution rules, claiming French authorities discriminate against Savoy by failing to regulate emissions or enforce environmental protections as strictly on Savoy soil. Politically, they call for international attention to their cause, including recognition under international minority- and nation-rights frameworks—their leadership has even ratified international treaties (e.g., Vienna Conventions) to frame their claims in terms of sovereignty and self-determination.

Savoyard identity is deeply rooted in its Alpine heritage, historical institutions, and linguistic tradition. The historical Savoy people (Savoisians) speak Arpitan (Franco‑Provençal) in addition to French, and have a distinct cultural memory tracing back to the County and Duchy of Savoy. Their religious tradition is predominantly Catholic, and their regional identity is closely tied to the legacy of the House of Savoy, the dynasty that once ruled a sovereign Savoyard state. Over centuries, local associations (for example, the Club des Savoyards, founded in the 1960s) have worked to revive and promote Savoyard history, language, and heritage.

In the political‑activist space, modern Savoisians often reject the pejorative connotations of the word “Savoyard” (which historically could mean “rustic” or “boorish”) and prefer “Savoisien” to affirm their cultural distinctiveness. Their movement places strong emphasis on self-identification, minority rights, and protection of regional language, viewing Savoy as more than just a French département but as a people with a right to self-representation.

Savoy has a long, layered history, beginning with the Allobroges, a Celtic tribe that settled in the Alpine region before Roman conquest. In the 11th century, the House of Savoy emerged under Humbert “the White‑Handed,” establishing the County of Savoy; over centuries, Savoy grew into a powerful duchy controlling mountain passes and strategic Alpine territories. The House of Savoy would later become a major European dynasty, playing a pivotal role in the formation of the Kingdom of Sardinia and, eventually, modern Italy.

In 1860, Savoy was ceded to France through the Treaty of Turin, in a political deal linked to Italian unification. Since then, many Savoisians—particularly regionalists and nationalists—have maintained a distinct identity and periodically called for greater autonomy or recognition. In recent decades, movements such as the Provisional Government of the State of Savoy have revived these claims, referencing both historical sovereignty and international law to demand minority rights, self-governance, and even, for some, restoration of a Savoisian state.