Conservação da natureza, biodiversidade e património natural - Norte

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the conservation of nature, biodiversity, and natural heritage in the North region of Portugal. It focuses on promoting sustainability, restoring natural ecosystems, and increasing the resilience of territories to climate change. Key areas include environmental resilience, adaptation to climate change, and decarbonization of the economy. The initiative aligns with major European strategies such as the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Only projects in the protected areas of the NUTS II NORTE region are eligible.

• Projects must be led by beneficiaries without overdue salaries or financial distress.
• They must have a clear and mature plan, such as approved execution projects or detailed studies and budgets.
• Projects must align with the Quadro de Investimentos Prioritários (QIP) 2024-2027.
• The total project cost must exceed €100,000.
• Applications must include all required documentation and declarations.
• Projects must score at least 3.00 points on the selection criteria.

Examples:

• A project to restore a degraded wetland in Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês with a detailed restoration plan and budget.
• An initiative to create ecological corridors in Parque Natural de Montesinho, with a comprehensive study and compliance documents.
• A program to monitor and strengthen biodiversity in Parque Natural do Alvão, including approved methodologies and alignment with protected area strategies.

• Costs for studies, plans, and preparatory activities directly related to the project
• Preparation of detailed execution projects and technical documentation
• Specialized work and external expert services
• Environmental impact assessments and cost-benefit analyses
• Expenses for obtaining necessary licenses or authorizations
• Project management and coordination costs
• Purchase of materials and equipment essential for project implementation
• Monitoring and evaluation activities
• Public awareness or stakeholder engagement efforts directly linked to the project

• Total budget of the grant: €31,700,000
• Co-financing rate: Up to 85%
• Maximum per project: €500,000
• Minimum per project: €100,000

• Applicants must not have overdue salaries and must not be a company in financial difficulty.
• Applicants must comply with all general obligations and eligibility requirements.
• Operations must respect the "Do No Significant Harm" principle for the environment.
• Applicants must provide all required documentation, including proof of property or right to intervene, environmental compliance, and necessary licenses.
• Projects must align with relevant territorial or strategic plans and obtain a mandatory opinion from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF).
• Projects must achieve a minimum score of 3.00 points according to selection criteria.
• Projects must be located in eligible protected areas within the NUTS II NORTE region.