The application to the Environmental Fund for the rehabilitation of the Paul de Arzila Natural Reserve Interpretation Center (RNPA) was approved, with funding of nearly 70,000 euros, announced today by the Coimbra City Council.
“The project presented by the Municipality of Coimbra envisaged a total investment of 200 thousand euros, intended for the physical rehabilitation of the RNPA Interpretation Center and for carrying out awareness-raising and environmental education initiatives. In the final decision of the procedure, the application was deemed eligible, having been awarded a grant of 68,759.25 euros,” it revealed.
In a press release sent to the Lusa agency, the Coimbra City Council stated that the application was submitted under Notice No. 05/2025 — “Co-management of Protected Areas 2025-2026 — Component II — Activation of Protected Areas”.
It was developed within the framework of the co-management model of the Paul de Arzila Natural Reserve, through a partnership led by the Coimbra Municipality and which included the Municipalities of Condeixa-a-Nova and Montemor-o-Velho, the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), the Center Region Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Centro) and the Friends of Paul de Arzila Association.
The partnership candidacy presented by the Municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova was also deemed eligible.
“With the same amount of investment planned, this candidacy is aimed at renewing the interpretive exhibition of the RNPA Interpretation Center and likewise obtained funding of 68,759.25 euros.”
According to the Coimbra City Council, the two applications have a complementary dimension, focusing on the physical and functional enhancement of the Interpretation Center and on renewing the contents supporting visitation, interpretation and environmental education.
The Paul de Arzila Natural Reserve constitutes “one of the most important wetlands in the national territory, playing a relevant role in biodiversity conservation and in the protection of habitats and species of high ecological value”.
The RNPA Co-management Plan identifies the rehabilitation of the Interpretation Center as “a priority action for strengthening the valorization, communication and sustainable enjoyment of this protected area”.
“The approval of these applications translates the recognition of the strategic relevance of the proposed interventions for the valorization of the Paul de Arzila Natural Reserve and for reinforcing the conditions of support for nature conservation, environmental education and sustainable visitation”.
