The Action Plan for the Development of Endogenous Resources (PADRE) is coming to an end, but the Algarve is already starting to think about the next one. “Demand” will be the watchword to continue supporting economic activities in the interior, with the need for Parish Councils to become more involved.
«More than making a positive assessment of PADRE, I say that the assessment is demanding, in the sense that it will serve to improve others, making it more effective to create support for economic activities in the interior and guarantee better living conditions». The words are from José Apolinário, president of CCDR Algarve, in statements to Sul Informação on the sidelines of the session “Development and valorization of endogenous resources in low-density territories”, which took place at the Costume Museum, in São Brás de Alportel, on October 3rd.
In this session, the results of the work carried out within the scope of PADRE, a plan supported by CRESC Algarve 2020, were presented, and the next challenges and opportunities within the framework of the Algarve 2030 Regional Program were also listed.
José Apolinário considered that «networking and the awakening of projects» – such as Ready, the Regional Network of Local Markets and the Rota Serrana de Autocaravanismo – was what went best in PADRE I. «A failure and something we have to improving is training, that is, we have to have human resources to present, promote and launch projects, because we do not have equal training throughout the territory», he continued.
Although the population increased in the Algarve, between 2011 and 2021, «we lost 4% of the interior population and we need to reverse this trend», highlighted the president of the CCDR, pointing out the problems of housing and digital connectivity as aspects that are contributing for these values.
Although the objectives for the future are always to “do more and better”, the session highlighted the positive results and impact on communities and rural and low-density territories of some projects, such as, for example, the National Road 2 Memory House and the Serra do Caldeirão Interpretive Center, both in São Brás de Alportel.
São Brasense mayor Vítor Guerreiro highlighted «the importance of support from the CRESC Algarve 2020 Regional Operational Program for the development of these projects», which have become «important resources that generated dynamics and attractiveness».
In the first Action Plan for the Development of Endogenous Resources, with an initial allocation of 9 million euros, 47 operations were approved with a total investment of 16,9 million (and an expected contribution of 11,9 million from the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) result of the increased contribution).
At the moment, PADRE records an execution rate of 87%, corresponding to investments made in the amount of 11,2 million (7,8 ERDF).
However, for the next PADRE, the allocation will be 30 million, which means that, according to Aquiles Marreiros, executive member of the Algarve 2030 Regional Program, it is necessary to give «priority to strengthening value chains associated with regional endogenous resources , aligned with the areas of intelligent specialization, seeking that territories also specialize and are a factor in attracting and retaining investment, talent and employment", as well as giving "the opportunity to complement interventions and financing with other funds, territorial instruments and Programs” to promote territorial competitiveness.
Investing in the network of Digital and Smart Villages is therefore the great challenge for the next PADRE, which should rely more on the participation of parishes.
Although the allocation is larger, the participation rate is lower, which means that «more partners need to be found and there is greater mobilization», highlighted José Apolinário.
«In our territory, there are very different dynamics, with municipalities where there is great participation and others less so. We have to concentrate more and value more the Parish Councils, which I think can be important allies in the development of good projects for the population, because they are closer and can mobilize more resources for execution, overcoming difficulties", concluded the president of CCDR.
O Action Plan for the Development of Endogenous Resources, supported by CRESC Algarve 2020, its objectives were to “support actions for the economic valorization of endogenous resources, (…), supporting initiatives generated in the context of local partnerships in development strategies, which focus on strengthening and diversifying the economic base of the territories of low density, by reinforcing its attractiveness, and enhancing its differentiating resources».
Associação Vicentina, In Loco and Terras do Baixo Guadiana were the partner entities chosen to develop the projects in the territory.
The Rota Serrana de Autocaravanismo aims to «create conditions to welcome tourists with a desire to explore resources associated with nature and cultural heritage, boosting the attractiveness of the territory and its visitation».
The requalification and dynamization of the Regional Network of local Markets aims to make them more attractive, through the creation of new sales points, benches, jobs and enhancement of the built historical-cultural heritage. All of this is also combined with an entertainment program that is intended to circulate through the Markets integrated into the network.
Ready (Endogenous resources and development of active tourism) has the main objective of reducing the seasonality of tourist demand, through the dynamization and expansion of projects such as Via Algarviana or Rota Vicentina.
Photos: Mariana Sedge | Sul Informação
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