The Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) stated the call was published last Thursday under the Integrated Territorial Instrument (ITI) for Water and Landscape Ecosystems.

The €2.8 million call, 85% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aims to promote solutions that attract, welcome, and retain people in the region.

According to the Alentejo Regional Development Commission (CCDR), the funding is intended to implement the Action Plan approved under the ITI Water and Landscape Ecosystems, prioritising initiatives in the areas of culture, tourism and nature as drivers of sustainable territorial development.

The call seeks projects that develop innovative approaches to combat depopulation or promote demographic change by attracting, retaining, and integrating people.

The actions covered include promoting social inclusion, employment and access to services in local areas, as well as strengthening community participation and promoting more inclusive and innovative models of local governance.

Applications, which may be submitted by central government bodies, local authorities and non-profit organisations, are open until 5 June.

This call for proposals, the CCDR emphasised, “represents a strategic opportunity to revitalise the region, strengthen social and economic cohesion and help reverse depopulation trends through innovative solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of the Alentejo”.