Turismo de Portugal allocates €1 million for climate refuge network

Turismo de Portugal has launched a one-million-euro funding initiative under the ‘Crescer com o Turismo’ program to expand its national network of climate refuges, known as ‘Stay Cool’. The fund is intended to support projects that create or improve climate refuges to help mitigate the impact of extreme heat episodes.

The competition is exclusively open to municipal chambers and parish councils. Eligible entities can apply for non-reimbursable support covering 80% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of 75,000 euros per individual or joint application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the budget is exhausted.

According to Carlos Abade, president of Turismo de Portugal, the initiative aims to strengthen territorial resilience and promote sustainable tourism development. The ‘Stay Cool’ network, integrated into the 2030 Climate Action Agenda for Tourism, already includes more than 100 climate refuges across 47 municipalities.