Since 2017, more than 2.2 billion euros were invested in measures to enhance low-density regionsbut there is no system capable of evaluating the results, reveals the study on the Implementation and Impact of Interior Enhancement Program, explains the “News Newspaper”.
Most of the program’s measures – approved in July 2020 by the then Government led by António Costa – had a national character and did not privilege the 165 municipalities and 74 low-density parishes. Despite the growth of companies and tourism, the population continues to decline, there is a lack of qualified professionals and investment in science and innovation is residual compared to metropolitan areas, it is concluded.
The study, coordinated by Augusto Medina, president of the Portuguese Innovation Society, criticizes the lack of clear goals and impact monitoring. Even with some economic progress, low-density territories represent only 12.5% of national overnight stays, less than 20% of companies and around 14% of employment.
In the field of research, expenditure and human resources remain low, with only 5% of national investment in R&D concentrated in these regions. The report concludes that without strategic planning and effective monitoring, the program cannot effectively transform these territories.