Development programmes

1.  Purpose and aim of the programme

The main aim of the Operational Programme is to establish conditions for growth by:

• establishing and promoting the region;
• boosting the skill levels of human resources;
• business innovation and competitiveness;
• developing research and the information society;
• making use of the region's natural resources and heritage;
• improving the quality of the environment;
• improving the region's road network and its links with other regional and national transport systems;
• modernising the region's administrative and management system.

The Operational Programme for the Alentejo region will help to achieve one of the essential objectives of the national strategic reference framework, i.e. balanced regional development throughout the area.

2. Expected impact of the investment

The aim of the programme is to strengthen competitiveness by:

• promoting innovation and creating small enterprises, as well as establishing conditions conducive to investment in the region;
• revitalising the towns and improving living conditions such as transport and the enhancement of local areas, culture and health;
• implementing actions to protect the environment and rural areas, stimulate the regional economy and promote local agricultural products.

Tourism is another factor in the economic development of the region, especially by exploiting the potential offered by the Alqueva dam and Beja airport projects.

3.  Priorities

The Operational Programme is centred on six priorities:

Priority 1: Competitiveness, innovation and knowledge [about 37.9% of total investment]

The proposed investment for this priority concerns the development of the information society and actions to create and modernise enterprises.

Priority 2: Urban development [about 17.0% of total investment]

Investment for the restoration of local heritage in the towns and the upgrading of urban networks, together with urban mobility, will make it possible to improve the safety of inhabitants and their quality of life.

Priority 3: Improving the region's transport links [about 19.7% of total investment]

The aim of this priority is to improve goods and services in rural areas by expanding mobility and creating infrastructure for social and regional cohesion. It is also planned to improve links with the main transport facilities at national (railways) and regional (Beja airport) level.

Priority 4: Enhancing the environment and rural areas [about 15.1% of total investment]

The actions under this priority concern the management of water resources, the enhancement of coastal areas, the protection and enhancement of sensitive and rural areas and the management of waste.

Priority 5: Governance and institutional capacity [about 8.3% of total investment]

This priority covers actions to improve the region's administrative and management system and to simplify administrative procedures.

Priority 6: Technical assistance [about 2.1% of total investment]

Technical assistance is planned for the implementation of the programme. The funding may be used to manage and monitor the Operational Programme.

4. Managing authority: