The signing took place in the Main Hall of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Lisbon.
The Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) and the Environmental Fund signed second-generation program contracts last Tuesday, July 23, for the creation of Baldio Groups with CAP – the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers – and CONFAGRI – the National Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives and Agricultural Credit of Portugal.
The signing ceremony took place in the Main Hall of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Lisbon and was attended by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, who oversees the Environmental Fund (the financing entity for these program contracts), and the Secretary of State for Forests, Rui Ladeira.
The second generation of program contracts, with a total value of 1.8 million euros, is established under the Council of Ministers Resolution (RCM) No. 20/2024, dated January 26, and aims to create 10 new Baldio Groups over a three-year period.
Local communities own and manage baldios under Law No. 75/2017, dated August 17. These lands cover about 6% of Portugal’s mainland territory, totaling 300,000 hectares, and are primarily located in the northern and central regions (98%). Over 80% of these areas consist of forests, scrublands, and pastures.
The support provided through these program contracts aims to help establish Baldio Groups (AdB), achieve economies of scale in resource management, and promote sustainable forest management. This support also enhances the coordination of structural fire prevention activities, including awareness, planning, forest land organization, forestry, and infrastructure development.
RCM No. 20/2024, dated January 26, establishes a total allocation of 7.2 million euros for all program contracts between 2023 and 2027, with the possibility of signing additional program contracts under review.
First generation of program contracts
The first generation of program contracts was signed in February 2019 between the ICNF, the National Federation of Baldios (BALADI), and the Portuguese Forestry Association (FORESTIS), under RCM No. 9/2019, dated January 14, with a budget of 2.51 million euros to be executed by June 2024. This led to the creation of 19 Baldio Groups, covering an area of 120,673.36 hectares in the northern and central regions.