Turismo de Portugal allocates €1 million for climate refuges

Turismo de Portugal has launched a one-million-euro funding initiative to create and improve climate refuges through its ‘Stay Cool’ national network. Part of the ‘Crescer com o Turismo’ program, the funding is specifically aimed at municipal councils and parish councils to help territories respond to extreme heat episodes.

The program offers a non-reimbursable grant covering 80% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of 75,000 euros per individual application or per entity in a joint application. Eligible projects include the installation of water fountains, bottle filling stations, misting systems, shade trees, pergolas, rest furniture, and mobile charging points.

Carlos Abade, president of Turismo de Portugal, stated that climate adaptation is currently a priority for the tourism sector. The existing network already includes over 100 climate refuges across 47 municipalities, and this new funding aims to significantly expand that number. Applications are open on a continuous basis until the total budget is exhausted.