26 Jun AECT Rio Minho concludes participatory process for the preparation of the future Urban Agendas

AECT Rio Minho has concluded the cycle of participatory workshops organised as part of the preparation of the Urban Agendas for the Eurocity of Minho and the Eurocity of Foz do Rio Minho. This initiative is being developed under the REDE_GOV_MINHO – Cross-border Rio Minho Governance Network project.

Over a two-week period, seven participatory workshops brought together around 150 participants, including institutional representatives, municipal technical staff, public authorities, rural development groups, associations, economic, cultural, social and environmental stakeholders, as well as citizens interested in contributing to the future of the Rio Minho cross-border territory.

The workshops involved the municipalities that make up the two functional areas covered by the Urban Agendas. The Urban Agenda for the Eurocity of Minho brings together the municipalities of Arbo, A Caniza, Crecente, As Neves and Melgaço, while the Urban Agenda for the Eurocity of Foz do Rio Minho includes Caminha, A Guarda and O Rosal.

The participatory process made it possible to identify common challenges, needs and opportunities and contributed to the definition of a shared strategic vision for the territory. The different perspectives gathered throughout the workshops reinforced the importance of cross-border cooperation as a key instrument for promoting more integrated, sustainable and community-oriented development.

Among the main priorities identified by participants are strengthening cross-border mobility and connectivity between municipalities, improving the coordination and joint promotion of cultural and tourism assets, enhancing shared natural and cultural heritage, addressing environmental challenges, strengthening the local economy and creating conditions that encourage people, particularly younger generations, to live and remain in the territory.

The contributions collected will now be systematised and incorporated into the technical analysis and diagnostic phase of both Urban Agendas. They will subsequently provide the basis for the preparation of the respective Action Plans, which will define the strategic interventions and priority projects for the development of the two cross-border functional areas.

The process continues to follow a participatory approach and includes further engagement activities involving local stakeholders and citizens to discuss, refine and validate the proposals that will be incorporated into the Urban Agendas.

The preparation of these strategic instruments represents an important step towards strengthening multi-level governance and cooperation between Portuguese and Galician municipalities. It also contributes to a shared strategic vision and supports the implementation of more coordinated public policies capable of addressing the common challenges and opportunities of the Rio Minho cross-border territory.

AECT Rio Minho would like to thank all the municipalities involved, municipal technical teams, rural development groups, participating organisations and citizens who contributed to this process. Their commitment demonstrates the value of active participation in building a more cohesive, sustainable and resilient territory, better prepared to address future challenges.