A Strategic Project for the Sustainable Future of the Cross-Border Minho River
The cross-border Minho River territory is a natural area of high ecological, landscape and environmental value, comprising habitats, fauna and flora of great relevance for Portugal and Spain.

Local communities, public institutions and territorial stakeholders have increasingly expressed the need for joint responses to protect, preserve and enhance this shared heritage.

This vision is reflected in the Cross-Border Minho River Strategy 2030, which identifies environmental sustainability as a priority for the development of the territory.
Within this context, the ECOFRONT_MINHO project emerges as a cross-border cooperation initiative aimed at consolidating a sustainable governance model and preparing the international recognition of this territory..
Main Objective The main objective of the ECOFRONT_MINHO project is to establish the essential foundations for submitting the candidacy of the Minho River natural territory for recognition as a UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. This objective represents a strategic opportunity to:  Strengthen biodiversity protection;  Enhance natural and landscape resources;  Promote economic development compatible with environmental preservation;  Increase the international visibility of the territory;  Consolidate cooperation between Portuguese and Spanish entities..
Intervention Strategy The project approach is based on the joint and coordinated development of three major areas of action:
1. Strategic Planning and Development Actions aimed at defining joint territorial planning and management instruments, essential for the future Biosphere Reserve.
Includes:  Common strategies for territorial protection and enhancement;  Shared governance models;  Sustainable territorial planning;  Institutional coordination between competent entities from both countries.
2. Green Infrastructure and Natural Resources Specific actions designed to improve and integrate the territory’s natural spaces within a common ecological framework.
Includes:  Integration of natural spaces into a green infrastructure network;  Strengthening environmental protection systems;  Biodiversity preservation;  Ecological restoration and enhancement of strategic areas;  Mitigation of climate change impacts;  Improvement of territorial resilience.
3.Capacity Building and Awareness Raising Promotion of the active participation of communities and local stakeholders, encouraging sustainable behaviours..
Includes:  Training and technical capacity building;  Environmental awareness;  Education for sustainability;  Promotion of good practices;  Dissemination of the territory’s natural values..
PInvolvement of Target Groups From the outset, the project will promote active participation of different sectors of society, namely::
 Public administrations;  Economic stakeholders;  Universities and research centres;  Associations and local entities;  Educational communities;  Young people;  Citizens in general.

Participatory processes and Research & Development (R&D) initiatives contributing to the enhancement of the Minho River will be promoted.
Expected Results Among the main expected results are:  Submission of the UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve application;  More efficient and integrated territorial governance;  Joint strategic planning between both countries;  Strengthening nature and biodiversity protection;  Creation of new sustainable economic opportunities;  Enhancement of natural and landscape heritage;  More aware and committed communities;  Strengthening territorial resilience;  Creation of synergies between the public, private and scientific sectors.
Added Value of Cross-Border Cooperation The environmental challenges of the Minho River require joint responses. Cooperation between Portugal and Spain will allow:  Integrated and coherent management of natural resources;  Optimisation of financial and technical resources;  Faster responses to emergency situations;  Harmonisation of environmental protection criteria;  Greater impact of public policies;  Joint international promotion of the territory..
European Strategic Framework The project contributes to Specific Objective 2.7 of the POCTEP Programme 2021-2027, under Priority 4: Strengthening the protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and ecological infrastructures, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution. It is also aligned with the Cross-Border Minho River Strategy 2030, particularly with the axis dedicated to sustainability and conservation of the river and surrounding territory. A Sustainable Future for the Minho River ECOFRONT_MINHO represents a historic opportunity to consolidate the Minho River as a European benchmark territory in sustainability, institutional cooperation and environmental enhancement. A project that brings together nature, communities and the future.