The Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, oversaw, in Faro, the signing of financing agreements between the Environmental Fund and beneficiary entities. These agreements aim to promote efficient and intelligent water management and increase the resilience of the Algarve territory, in an event held on September 30th.
The ceremony was part of a Technical Cooperation Protocol between the Algarve 2030 Regional Program and the Environmental Fund. The amount of 3.7 million euros was formalized through agreements signed with the Municipality of Silves, Municipality of Castro Marim, Municipality of Lagoa, Municipality of Lagos, Ambiolhão, Águas do Algarve, FAGAR, InfraMoura, Taviraverde, and EMARP.
Attendees included José Apolinário, president of the CCDR Algarve and the PR Algarve 2030 Management Authority; António Pina, president of AMAL; and Rosário Gama, president of the Climate Agency.
José Apolinário highlighted the importance of the PR Algarve 2030 and the regional chapter of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) for structural investments in water efficiency. He stressed that addressing water challenges requires continuity, investment, and coordination between public entities and European funds.
As of August 31st, the PR Algarve 2030 had already secured 32 million euros in investment for the urban water cycle. Algarve municipalities have invested 16 million euros in water efficiency and loss reduction, following the execution of 47.4 million euros with PRR funding. Águas do Algarve invested 12 million euros in digitalization and monitoring of the water cycle, as well as interventions in Wastewater Treatment Plants, aiming to increase the availability of treated wastewater.
The CCDR Algarve believes that the regional allocation of European funds addresses the specific needs of the Algarve, a territory with unique challenges regarding water availability and exposure to climate risks like drought. José Apolinário advocated for maintaining a strong regional dimension in the next European financial framework (2028-2034), with the participation of territorial entities and municipalities in defining priorities.
The President of the CCDR Algarve also thanked the Minister of Environment and Energy, the Climate Agency, the municipal councils and companies, Águas do Algarve, AMAL, and the teams of the Algarve Regional Program 2030 Management Authority for their personal involvement and commitment to this partnership.
