The Norte 2030 community program has opened a call for proposals with 10 million euros to support the construction of new water points to combat rural fires, announced today by the North Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N).
In a press release, the CCDR-N notes the opening of applications for this call, endowed with 10 million euros via the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), within the RESTORE initiative.
The objective, as stated in the notice, is “to strengthen the capacity to respond and the resilience of the North region’s territories affected by the major fires of 2024 and 2025”.
What is at stake are aerial, mixed and terrestrial water points, to make water availability easier and more accessible, as well as the improvement of the territorial coverage of these solutions.
“In addition to the construction of the infrastructure, the funding may cover studies and projects, indispensable accesses to its operation and equipment for water capture, supply and safety, under the terms provided for in the notice,” reads the press release.
This reinforcement of water points allows improving the response to rural fires and promotes “environmental benefits” in the recovery of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Municipalities, intermunicipal entities and associations of municipalities can apply, receiving a non-reimbursable grant with a maximum co-financing rate of 70%, in addition to a limit of 150 thousand euros from FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) per each new water point.
The first bidding phase closes on January 29 of next year, with the following phase, using the remaining funds, until April 30.
