MINHA TERRA – Federação Portuguesa de Associações de Desenvolvimento Local

Portugal

Description (brief history)

The need of a more collaborative approach to rural development, associated with the set of technical and financial possibilities offered by some EU programmes (mainly the LEADER programme), raised the opportunity that made possible the creation of Local Development Associations. Given this context, a movement for establishing Local Development Associations emerged in rural areas throughout the country, during the late eighties. This process evolved through the creation of partnerships between: local authorities, cultural associations, schools, agricultural producers associations, local companies, etc.

Activities

Although "Minha Terra" was established recently (official registry in 15-02-2000 and election of officers in 18-04-2000), our organization has already 48 members. These 49 local development associations represent more than 1.000 organizations and local authorities, linking a total of almost 200.000 persons and covering around 80% of the national territory (more than 250 municipalities).
The formation process of "Minha Terra" resulted from the dialogue between several entities working in rural areas. We consider that the consolidation of our organization is a continuous work that should result from the participation of the entities that converge in the rural development aim.
Today Minha Terra is represented and/or is partner in several organisations and committees, among those:
- CES – Portuguese Social and Economic Council
- CNADR – National Agriculture and Rural Development Council

- ELARD – European LEADER Association for Rural Development
- The National LEADER+ Program Committee
- The Portuguese Rural Development Program (RURIS) 2000-2006 Committee
- The Portuguese Rural Development Program (PRODER) 2007-2013 Committee
MINHA TERRA as also organized and participated on several projects and initiatives under Portuguese LEADER official network (seminars, training programs, and exhibitions), other Portuguese training programs, and EQUAL Community Initiative Program (good practice dissemination).

Organization Rules

in Portuguese only