Regional Operational Programme Alentejo - Portugal Ricardo Ferreira Esc. Sup.Agrária Elvas The information in this presentation is derived from the official PROAlentejo and/or complimentary documents

The Alentejo region Wide; Under populated; Rural; Environmentally rich “The best place for your vacation: good sunny weather; good food; good wine; gentle people; culture and history..” R.Ferreira

Natural and cultural richness Well preserved natural environment 263 km, sea line (one of the best preserved in Europe) largest cork tree area several Natura 2000 areas, and Natural parks;

But changing …. the Alqueva basin

Low urban density City Population (resident) % / Alentejo Main cities in the region Data reports to 2001 census; in general values are decreasing

A privileged location for a region with a future logistic role in Europe On the corridor Lisboa – Madrid; On the corridor Norte (PT) – Algarve (PT) Closed to a large metropolitan area (Lisboa) A sea door to Europe from Atlantic Ocean (no congestion) High potential for a future role Included in 4 of the 30 European priority projects for the Transeuropean Network of Transportations #3 – E. SW. High speed rail #16 – rail Sines/Algeciras –Mad - Paris #8 – Multimodal axe PT/SP – Europe #21 – Motorways of the sea

Alentejo SWOT Analysis Streghts Natural Heritage Strong Cultural Identity Good Territory Planning; Strategic Positioning; Sines Port Alqueva basin Agro-food (quality) sector Cork (leader region in the leader country) Geological resources Tech Industries emergence Tourism Increasing social equipments

Weaknesses Environmental black points Weak urban centres Urban reduced dimension Underpopulated rural environment; pop. density; aging Incomplete roads network Rail acessibilities Public transportation, weak or inexistant Economic weakness Company density; company creation; association High importance of public sector in employment Weak economic openess; Weak school success; Low academic level Weak health services High unemployement; reduced feminine employment

Opportunities Alqueva basin – agro-food; tourism; energy crops… TGV Lisboa-Madrid – two stops in the region Sines-Badajoz rail (connecting the port to Europe) Logistics platforms Proximity to Lisboa region Beja airport Renewal energies – solar; wind; biofuel Tourism and recreation

Threats Abandonment of rural areas; Climate change - very sensitive region – droughts Landscape sustainability (fires; industry growth, …) International competition

The program follows the Strategic axis Alentejo 2015 Alentejo 2015 Companies, Wealth, Employment External Openness (economy, society, territory) Quality (urban, rural, environmental)

6 priorities - regional program Urban Development Competitiveness, Innovation and Knowledge Connectivity and territory articulation Environment Qualification & Rural Area Valorization Governance & Institutional Capacity Technical Assitance Companies, Wealth, Employment External Openness (economy, society, territory) Quality (urban, rural, envir) Regional Strategy

Funds per axis (Mio € 2 Urban Development 1 Competitiveness, Innovation and Knowledge 3 Connectivity and territory articulation 4 Environment Qualification & Rural Area Valorization 5 Governance & Institutional Capacity 6 Technical Assitance ,1% EU National Total EU% ,4% ,0% ,6% ,5% ,5%

EU funds per axis Competitiveness Connectivity

1- Competitiveness, Innovation and Knowledge

Some ideas to keep in mind Micro & Small Companies External Markets Micro & Small Companies Research & Development Innovation, ICT & Networking Strategic Clustes / Sectors

3 Connectivity and territory articulation To strengh the intra- regional mobility, through improvement in infra-structures and transport systems To improve the road networks in the region To assure the availability of collective services to the population -Improve territory coverage in health proximity services - Reinforce and qualify the kindergarden and primary shools network - Improving culturage heritage

But... Articulation with national programs At national level priority actions are developed with influence in the region TGV network & other rails Airport network National roads network (National) Operational Program of Territory Enhacement

Key elements for regional development TGV: Lisboa – Évora – Elvas/Badajoz -... Madrid Sines Port – A european door to the Atlantic Beja Airport – (complementing LIS and Faro) allowing for an emerging turistic region Education – Human resources base for development Improvement in kindergarden and prim. schools net.

The future Alentejo: A region with a key role in logistics in SW Europe; A region for tourism, worldwide famous; A region with strong technologic SMEs; But still strong in traditional sectors! If.... We can get people to live there! Thank you for listening, Ricardo Ferreira: