Four of the Algarve’s submissions for grants under the government's Participatory Budget Portugal scheme have received funding.
More than 1,400 ideas were received and the public chose from 691 national and regional projects.
The budget is €5 million and 120,000 votes were received.
The Algarve had four projects in the list of 22 winners of the 2018 contest.
Algarve projects:
1. Literary Route
https://opp.gov.pt/proj/183
Creating a Literary Route in the Algarve is to give the region a new look. The purpose is to value the Algarve’s heritage by associating the locations with texts and to create literary itineraries across the 16 municipalities of the region, making them available in Portuguese, English and French, in order to broaden, diversify and enrich cultural experiences in the Algarve for national and international visitors of all ages.
2. Local accommodation for birds
https://opp.gov.pt/proj/359
This measure provides for the free distribution of nest boxes for different types of birds to Councils and schools interested in the Algarve region and environmental education. This will boost interest and direct contact of the local population with birds, increase the availability of shelter to the targeted species and raise awareness of the importance of birds in the well-being of the urban ecosystems of the Algarve.
3. Renovation of the Ermida de Santo António do Alto
https://opp.gov.pt/proj/609
Situated in the best observation point in the beautiful city of Faro, this miradouro, repaired and reopened to the public, offers one of the best views to the city. The Ermida de Santo António do Alto is a remarkable building built in the 15th century next to a medieval watchtower dating from 1355.
In the twentieth century the tower incorporated a water deposit, but it is still possible to climb to the top to enjoy a magnificent view of the city and the region. The interior of the Church below has been renovated but the exterior of the building and access to the viewpoint need conservation works.
This project aims to renovate the Church, the belvedere and the Antonino museum to become a must-see tourist attraction for visitors to the city.
4. Back to the Future
https://opp.gov.pt/proj/835
Training for physiotherapists in the education and prevention of postural health in children in order to implement the project ‘Back to the Future’ that educates, prevents and promotes postural health, developed in schools. The project has an objective of teaching correct posture in order to prevent the early onset of back pain in children and the decrease of their incidence in adulthood.
