Portugal advances beach accessibility, nature conservation and regional development projects
The municipality of Sesimbra has launched the ‘Praia Acessível – Praia Para Todos’ project, installing ramps, anti‑slip walkways and amphibious chairs to make its beaches usable for people with reduced mobility, families with strollers and the elderly.
The ‘Serras do Porto Natura 2030’ programme will invest more than €1.7 million, funded by the EU’s NORTE 2030 fund, to restore 8.4 km of watercourses across Gondomar, Paredes and Valongo, control invasive species, monitor biodiversity with sensors, drones and environmental DNA, and run education activities such as a children’s book and theatre play.
The National Association of Lifeguards (ANSS) warns that the country lacks enough qualified lifeguards for the upcoming beach season; while 6,000 lifeguards would be needed, only around 5,000 are trained and fewer than half are currently available, prompting calls for year‑round surveillance and improved professional conditions.
Odemira has officially opened its beach season, featuring 12 official beaches, 11 with the Blue Flag, nine with a Gold Quality award and three designated Zero Pollution. Four beaches are equipped as accessible with walkways and amphibious chairs, and lifeguard patrols run daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In the North region, the CCDR NORTE and the NORTE 2030 initiative have begun drafting the ‘Strategy NORTE 2040’, a participatory plan to set development priorities up to 2040, covering competitiveness, innovation, territorial cohesion and agriculture, with input from European institutions, universities and local businesses.