Alcoutim, for so long epitomising rural poverty, is to host a new Centre in the uphill struggle against the depopulation of rural areas in Portugal.
The Council is to act as host and offer administrative support to the new organisation, CCDesert, that will see government working with 35 institutions, including universities, rural Councils, companies, public bodies and various producers’ associations.
The new organisation was inaugurated on July 19th after a suitably long-winded protocol was signed, the aim being to study, seek solutions and contribute to the success of the existing national programme to combat desertification.
The 'Center for Competencies in the Fight against Desertification', CCDesert, will be based in Alcoutim and will be a forum for sharing knowledge, reporting research results, training, dissemination and knowledge transfer.
CCDesert will have a management committee, a general assembly and an advisory board with the funding coming from its members while the host, Alcoutim Council, will provide logistical and administrative support.
The Mayor of Alcoutim, Osvaldo Gonçalves, of course is delighted that the new Centre will be based on his turf and already has shown commitment by launching a scheme to provide financial incentives, encouraging youngsters to move to his Council area and procreate with abandon.
