Sustainable Development of Mourela Plateau in Peneda-Gerês National Park

Project Leader: Sónia Almeida, Managing Director (ADERE – Peneda Gerês)

Jury Citation: "The focus of this fascinating project is on the cultural landscape of this region and how human activities shape the natural environment. The project team has helped to create sustainable conditions in a specific territory of the national park and in turn has contributed to the protection of this priceless part of European heritage". "The project aims to encourage people to return as inhabitants of remote rural areas as a precondition for successful preservation and conservation. The importance of populating the area is emphasised and the focus is placed on the revitalisation of traditional skills and building competency to help achieve the preservation of these rural assets". "This project is a wonderful combination of tangible and intangible heritage preservation in the protected environment of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. It has successfully developed a sustainable solution to the issues which threatened the integrity of this unique region and has resulted in the increased involvement of the local community in protecting their cultural heritage".