Alentejo regional economic development initiatives

The Alentejo region in Portugal is implementing various economic development initiatives through the Alentejo 2030 framework.

In August 2026, the Alentejo Litoral region launched a 5 million euro R&D fund titled ‘SI I&D Empresarial para uma Transição Justa’. Supported by the Just Transition Fund, this initiative targets small and medium-sized enterprises in the agri-food, renewable energy, and tourism sectors to foster innovation and climate transitions.

By mid-September 2026, regional efforts expanded to include a competition offering over 418,000 euros to enhance local tourism products through the European Regional Development Fund. This program provides up to 85% co-financing for projects aimed at creating sustainable and competitive destinations, with applications continuing through September 2027. Concurrently, the LIMA Alentejo Project, promoted by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Beja, was introduced to manage agricultural labor. Running until December 2027, the project uses a digital platform to connect farmers with migrant and local workers and includes a Field School providing 250 hours of training in technical skills, Portuguese language, and labor rights.

In late September 2026, regional focus shifted toward professionalizing the tourism sector. Higher education institutions, including the University of Évora and the Polytechnic Institutes of Beja and Portalegre, began expanding specialized training to support sector growth and retain young professionals. José Santos, president of the Alentejo and Ribatejo Regional Tourism Entity, noted that a “robust professional ecosystem” is necessary to complement visitor numbers. Additionally, discussions at the Raízes Vivas Festival emphasized sustainable development, advocating for a model that prioritizes the preservation of traditional knowledge and local resource management over mere visitor volume.