First Advisory Council Meeting for Water and Ecosystems in Algarve and Alentejo: Key Highlights

First Meeting of the Advisory Council

On October 31, the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions (CCDR) of Algarve and Alentejo convened the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Council for ITI Water and Landscape Ecosystems in the Castro Verde Municipal Forum. The meeting was attended by most of the advisory council members, where the operating regulations were approved, and the positions of President, Vice-President, and Secretary were appointed.

• President: António Bota, representing the Baixo Alentejo Intermunicipal Community (CIMBAL).
• Vice-President: Macário Correia, representing the Algarve Irrigation Associations.
• Secretary: Carla Antunes, representing the University of Algarve.

Thematic Working Groups Created

The council established six thematic working groups, appointing coordinators and member organizations to enhance the execution of actions outlined in the ITI action plan. These groups aim to generate synergies and facilitate collaboration among entities to prepare applications for funding programs based on the maturity of identified projects.

Upcoming Meetings

The working groups are scheduled to meet again on November 10, and another advisory council meeting is planned in São Bartolomeu de Messines (Silves) to discuss actions prioritized for funding applications based on their maturity and to establish guidelines for future funding calls.

Broad Representation

The advisory council, formalized on October 9 in Ourique, comprises a wide array of organizations, including the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), three intermunicipal communities, and local development associations. Its mission is to stimulate joint projects, create synergies, and support the execution of the action plan in alignment with best practices and applicable environmental policies.

ITI Overview

The ITI Water and Landscape Ecosystems initiative connects two NUTS regions, promoting integrated strategies for sustainable management of water resources and landscape ecosystems. It involves 17 municipalities and 59 parishes, addressing common challenges and needs.

Action Plan and Funding

The action plan, developed through collaboration with local entities, includes 14 structural projects focused on water resource management and climate resilience. Funding announcements for water resource management, amounting to €52.8 million, have been published, with allocations of €32.5 million for the Algarve 2030 program and €20.3 million for the Alentejo program.

Source: CCDR do Algarve