The minister says that the money that most “touched” citizens was managed by local authorities

The Deputy Minister of Territorial Cohesion said this Wednesday that the money from European funds that “affected the most” citizens were those administered by local authorities, because that was where the “greatest control” was and where specific problems were solved.

“I have no doubt that the money that had the most impact on people’s lives was the one in the hands of local authorities. I have no doubt about it,” said Manuel Castro Almeida, recalling the European support provided to Portugal so far.

According to a government official, “there is not a person who could not see work financed by European funds” and “the same cannot be said about all programs” of foundation funding.

“And I have no doubt that there is still a lot of waste in public administration, as well as in European funds. This is obvious and we all know it,” he added.

In this sense, he argued that funding local authorities for projects “is the right way” to support citizens because “that is where there is greater control and greater commitment to solving people’s specific problems.”

The Minister was speaking today at a meeting to sign development contracts between the Regional Commission for Coordination and Development (CCDR) of the North and the seven Intermunicipal Communities (CIM), as well as the Metropolitan Area of ​​Porto (AMP), in a total of 86 municipalities, at a cost of 1.4 billion euros (ME) and will be implemented before 2029 as part of the North 2030 program.

According to the ruler, the choice for the ceremony of Penedono, in the north of Viseu district, which is the municipality “with the smallest population in the entire northern region,” is a sign of solidarity and a reminder of the importance of cohesion” in the country.

“The smallest municipalities should be part of our country. […] When we have to discuss the entire country, it is important that there is a reminder, an awareness of the reality of the smallest and most complex municipalities in our country. It is extremely important to combat desertification,” he said.

Manuel Castro Almeida warned of the need to “realize” that European funds exist to “transform every part of the territory and thus transform the country”, and this, in his opinion, requires responsibility.

“We must have the best projects, achieve maximum financial efficiency using the minimum possible resources, achieve maximum results and do it on time. And we don’t need to implement the funds in a hurry, but we need to implement them quickly. and good,” he defended himself.

The Deputy Minister of Territorial Unity also emphasized the “advantages” of the powers of the CCDR, which coordinates the decentralized services of several ministries, and now “the time has come to consolidate positions and pass the test.”

“It is in the hands of those who hate centralism to demonstrate to the centralists that decentralization and deconcentration, as well as regional coordination, benefit citizens,” he noted.

“When citizens feel this advantage, it will be citizens who will shape the political thinking to take new steps forward,” he added.

Manuel Castro Almeida also warned that in the future European funds “will have a very significant drop” compared to the amounts allocated, taking into account Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, which he defends. Therefore, “those funds that currently exist must be used very effectively,” which “increases the responsibility” of those who manage them, he concluded.