Project Overview:
Support: Backed by the local and national government of Portugal and the Portuguese Embassy in the UK.
Location: Pedrógão Grande, 1.5 hours from Lisbon and Porto, near universities and well-served by transport, communications, and health services.
Objective: To promote regional economic development sustainably and reverse the trend of young people leaving small communities for city life.
Project Goals:
Employment and Housing: Integrate new employment opportunities with mixed housing needs, generating revenue through modern technology and communications.
Collaborative Approach: Terra Pura Holdings aims to form a team of aligned investors, engineers, architects, and visionaries.
Sphere Economy Principles: Focus on zero waste systems, recycling all waste streams to enhance self-sustainability and security.
Community Engagement:
Co-Creation: Develop the project with input from local communities, building on local resources and capabilities.
Entrepreneurial Capacity: Expand local entrepreneurial capacity using asset-based community development techniques.
Funding and Support:
Regional and European Funding: Eligible for European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) and supported by the Mutual Guarantee Scheme of Portugal.
Centro Regional Development Plan: Leverage local resources to enhance economic, social, and territorial value.
Eco-Innovation Centre:
Support for SMEs: Help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop eco-innovation strategies and action plans.
Hub for Innovation: Combine talents from academia, government, and business to foster environmental and social innovation.
Location Benefits:
Natural Beauty: Renowned for pure waters, fertile soils, and stunning landscapes.
Accessibility: Close to Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra with excellent transport links and infrastructure.
Local Government and Community:
Supportive Local Government: Known for long-term beneficial initiatives and rejecting short-term gains that harm the environment.
Community Resilience: Focus on sustainable growth without compromising natural beauty and community well-being.
Current Status and Next Steps:
Land Acquisition: Secured 23 hectares of land, recently zoned for urban, residential, and tourism purposes.
Collaboration: Seeking further collaboration with investors, engineers, architects, and visionaries.
Development Process: Engage local residents, model a concept plan integrating modern technologies, and embed Circular Economy principles.
Innovation and Technologies:
Technological Integration: Use modern technologies like anaerobic digesters, water recovery systems, high-efficiency power generation, microgrids, and permaculture.
Circular Economy: Focus on zero emissions and waste management to create a self-sustaining community.
Team and Skills:
Expertise: Current team includes experts in economics, architecture, innovation, sustainability, Circular Economy, science, technology, and social enterprises.
Expansion: Seeking additional expertise in investment, financing, engineering, education, and psychology.
Project Delivery:
Holistic Approach: Ensure balanced development that supports health, economy, and the environment.
Sustainable Impact: Aim for measurable long-term benefits, reduced emissions, and improved quality of life without external dependence.