The Rio Minho EGTC held a technical monitoring meeting today in Valença to review progress under the REDE_GOV_MINHO – “Rede de Governança do Rio Minho Transfronteiriço” project, an initiative co-financed by the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal (POCTEP) Programme.

The project aims to strengthen cross-border governance in the Rio Minho territory by promoting a stable framework for institutional cooperation, technical capacity-building, knowledge production and the implementation of pilot actions in strategic areas such as mobility, culture and social policies.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the overall progress of the project, analysing the work already completed and the actions planned through to the end of 2026.

Among the main developments presented were:

1. Strengthening the cross-border governance network

The operation of the Technical Working Group, established in October 2023, has been consolidated and continues to coordinate the project’s main areas of activity, including capacity-building actions, urban agendas, the observatory and pilot projects.

In 2025, several capacity-building initiatives were also carried out to support the management of cross-border public services, including technical visits to municipalities, territorial forums and specialised training in governance, culture and territorial cooperation.

2. Development of the Rio Minho urban agendas

The launch of the two new cross-border urban agendas was also presented:

• Eurocidade do Rio Minho, involving the municipalities of Arbo, A Caniza, Crecente, Melgaço and As Neves;
• Eurocidade da Foz do Rio Minho, involving the municipalities of Caminha, A Guarda and O Rosal.

The work will be developed in four stages: planning, diagnosis, strategic framework and action plan.

3. Observatory and territorial knowledge

As part of the consolidation of the territory’s knowledge and information network, the contract for the development of the Rio Minho Observatory of Cross-Border Dynamics has been awarded. The observatory will enable the monitoring and updating of ten thematic areas and the publication of monthly reports under the title “Barómetro do Rio Minho”.

4. Pilot actions on mobility and social cohesion

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the pilot projects currently under development:

a) Flexible mobility solutions in the inland Rio Minho territory;

b) Sustainable mobility between Tui and Valença;

c) Promotion of equality and work-life balance in the “Eurocidade Cerveira–Tomiño”;

d) Development of the “Eurocidade Cultural do Estuário do Minho”;

e) Joint initiatives to promote active ageing in the “Eurocidade Monção–Salvaterra”.

Investment and implementation period

The project has a current budget of €657,602.78, co-financed through the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal Programme, with implementation running until December 2026.

Through this initiative, the Rio Minho EGTC continues to strengthen its role as a strategic instrument for cooperation between Portugal and Galicia, promoting joint solutions for a more cohesive, innovative and sustainable territory.