The Municipality of Peso da Régua participated in the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026 in Brussels, as part of the delegation from the Douro Intermunicipal Community (CIM Douro). The focus was on asserting the territory and defending the interests of the populations to European institutions.
The Douro was debated in the high-level panel “From Heritage to Growth: Revitalising Traditional Ecosystems in Europe’s Regions”. José Manuel Gonçalves, Mayor of Peso da Régua and member of the Committee of the Regions, addressed the challenges faced by traditional regions and the need to ensure conditions for their development.
This reflection is crucial for the negotiations of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). José Manuel Gonçalves warned about concerns regarding the potential centralization of community funds, which could reduce regions' capacity for intervention. He argued that cohesion and competitiveness are complementary.
For inland municipalities, this discussion is decisive. A funding model that does not adequately consider territorial specificities could compromise essential investments, the modernization of traditional sectors, the creation of opportunities for young people, and population retention.
The next community framework must continue to give regions and municipalities an active voice in decisions, ensuring that European funds effectively reach the territories most in need. It is essential to defend a cohesion policy that reduces disparities and values local resources.
Another highlight was the participation in the session promoted by CCDR NORTE, at the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union (REPER), which marked the 25th anniversary of the classification of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This initiative allowed for reflection on the future of the Douro, the economic valorisation of local resources, and the preservation of the identity of a territory that needs to remain vibrant, competitive, and attractive to new generations.
The Douro's presence in Brussels also included the promotion of endogenous products and the sharing of mobility solutions adapted to geographical dispersion, reinforcing the importance of cooperation and innovation.
The Municipality of Peso da Régua will continue to work in coordination with other Douro municipalities, defending the territory's interests and the importance of European decisions that consider the reality of those who live, work, and invest in the interior.
