In a statement, the Algarve CCDR states that the objective is to “deepen synergies in strategic areas for the sustainable and cohesive development of the Euroregion” that brings together the Algarve and Alentejo with the Spanish region of Andalusia.

The President of the CCDR of the Algarve, José Apolinário, wrote a letter to the President of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, and to the President of the CCDR Alentejo, António Ceia da Silva, asking for “reflection” on this matter.

The southernmost region of mainland Portugal proposes the creation of these groups between the three regions by the end of July 2025, and the presentation, by September 30, of the work plan for the next two years.

These working groups should involve, according to the proposal, public and private entities, universities, research centers, business associations, intermunicipal communities, municipalities and local development organizations.

Sustainable management

CCDR Algarve highlights as a priority joint work in the field of water, biodiversity and soil health, with the aim of promoting more sustainable management of natural resources, ensuring the water resilience of the three regions, mobilizing European funds for new sources and intelligent water management and protecting sensitive ecosystems in the Guadiana valley.

It also aims to discuss topics such as the preservation of species like the Iberian lynx, the prevention and combat of invasive species and the promotion of good practices to improve soil quality.

Another priority axis highlighted is mobility and cross-border connectivity, which includes monitoring the construction of the new international bridge between Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana, road and rail infrastructures that improve connections between the regions, in particular the Faro-Huelva-Seville rail link and the promotion of cycle routes.

Economy

In the area of ​​economy, innovation and blue growth, the Algarve proposes strengthening cooperation within the scope of regional and European strategies for developing the blue economy, with special attention to the navigability of the Guadiana River, desalination, algae and protection of the marine environment.

In the field of culture, cultural heritage and tourism, the Algarve advocates “an integrated valorisation of the border’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the promotion of joint cultural events and programmes, such as the Mostra Espanha e Cultura Portugal and the creation of an Iberian mobility programme in the area of ​​tourism and hotels, similar to ERASMUS”.

In the area of ​​civil protection and climate change, the CCDR proposes the development of interoperable technological platforms and the promotion of early warning networks and joint actions to prevent forest fires.

The Algarve also proposed the creation of a special working group on housing to share good practices and public policies on access to affordable and social housing, with the support of European cohesion funds.

Euroregions are European political structures that create links between two or more regions from two or more different countries.