Applications for “Short Chains and Local Markets” support extended until April

The application period for the competitions “Short Chains and Local Markets – Short Chains Component” and “Short Chains and Local Markets – Local Markets Component”, included in the Local Development Strategy for the Interior of the Central Algarve, was extended until the 6th of April.

At first, it was stipulated that farmers in the Central Algarve who wanted to apply up to 80% non-refundable support for projects aimed at improving proximity marketing, in the field of short chains and local markets, they could apply until the 6th of March.

Now, In Loco, the managing entity of the Local Action Group for the Interior of the Central Algarve, has announced that the period for submitting candidacies has been extended by 31 days, with applications being accepted until “at 16:59:59” on 6 April.

The rules, these, remain the same, which means that the applications to be submitted must, from the outset, "promote direct contact between the producer and the consumer, contributing to the flow of local production, the preservation of products and specialties places, reducing food waste, improving the diet through access to seasonal, fresh and quality products, as well as fostering trust between producer and consumer».

At the same time, they must "encourage less intensive and environmentally sustainable cultural practices, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the costs of storage, refrigeration and transport of products to distribution centers".

With regard to the competition for “Short Chains”, measures of “storage, transport and acquisition of small sales structures are eligible; awareness and education actions for consumers or other target audiences; development of electronic platforms and promotional materials; promotion and awareness-raising actions for the sale of proximity to urban centers that allow the flow and valorization of local production; and producer displacements to local markets'.

In the “Local Markets” component, actions of «creation or modernization of existing infrastructures of local markets are eligible; promotion and awareness-raising actions for local marketing that allow for the sale and valorization of local production; storage, transport and acquisition of small sales structures; and development of electronic platforms and promotional materials”.

The investments must be located in the territory of the Interior Algarve Central, which covers the following parishes: Guia and Paderne, in the municipality of Albufeira; Santa Bárbara de Nexe, Conceição and Estoi, in the Municipality of Faro; Alte, Ameixial, Boliqueime, Salir, São Sebastião and Querença, Tôr and Benafim, in the municipality of Loulé; Pechão and Moncarapacho and Fuseta, in the Municipality of Olhão; São Brás de Alportel; São Bartolomeu de Messines and São Marcos da Serra, in the municipality of Silves; Cachopo, Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo and Luz de Tavira and Santo Estêvão, in the municipality of Tavira.

For further information about the competitions, contact In Loco, by phone 289 840 860 or email [email protected], or the PDR2020 Contact Center, by phone 800 500 064.