The initiative toured five emblematic locations: the company Mallat, the Campus da Água, AQUAVALOR – Water Valorization and Technology Transfer Center, the Museum and Garden of the Roman Baths, and the Aquanatur Palace. These sites encompass nine operations, seven supported by NORTE 2030 and two by NORTE 2020, representing an eligible investment of approximately 8.45 million euros, with 6.57 million euros in approved European funding.
The projects cover business modernization and digitalization, scientific research, heritage valorization, and tourism and cultural innovation. At Mallat, investments in digital process modernization and reinforcement of production capacity were presented. The Campus da Água, a research hub of the Polytechnic University of Bragança, focuses on hospitality, well-being, and water resources. AQUAVALOR focuses on applied research and scientific and technological knowledge transfer to companies.
The visit also included the Garden of the Roman Baths, where the renovation of the Roman Baths Museum's roof created a new public green space, and the Aquanatur Palace, equipped for cultural and immersive experiences linked to the city's thermal identity.
“"These investments demonstrate Chaves' capacity to assert a development strategy based on innovation, the valorization of its resources, and the creation of new opportunities. The synergy between businesses, scientific knowledge, heritage, and tourism is fundamental to strengthening the municipality's competitiveness, attracting investment, and creating better living conditions for those who live and work here. The support of European funds has been decisive in realizing this vision and projecting Chaves into the future."
The initiative highlighted the contribution of European funds to the territory's transformation, showing how business investment, science, culture, and tourism can converge in an integrated strategy for the development and enhancement of Chaves and the Alto Tâmega and Barroso region.
