Santa Cruz de Tenerife 21. (Press Europa) –
The Technological and Renewable Energy Institute (Iter), operated by the Cabildo de Tenerife, spearheads the ‘Renaturmac’ initiative aimed at the enhancement and safeguarding of protected natural environments through the advancement of green and blue transitions within urban and rural areas connected across the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Gambia.
This venture, co-financed by the Interreg Mac 2021-2027 Transnational Cooperation Programme, has a total financial allocation of 2,238,538.14 euros, and commenced at the end of October 2024, continuing until the conclusion of 2028.
The Minister of Innovation, Research and Development, Juan José Martínez, notes that the project seeks to “address critical challenges” for the region comprising Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands, with a focus on restoring natural ecosystems.
“The primary goal is to integrate and connect productive activities, such as the primary sector and tourism, with natural ecosystems,” he states.
He believes that “the execution of initiatives like ‘Renaturmac’ and the hosting of these transnational meetings foster cross-border exchanges of ideas, enabling the discovery of solutions to shared issues in the regions of the Canary Islands, Cabo Verde, and Gambia—such as the management of natural heritage as a cornerstone of sustainable economic expansion, addressing both economic and environmental challenges in establishing comprehensive management models.”
This project, which also receives support from the Ministry of Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Safety and Emergencies of the Cabildo, will be publicly launched this week.
Consequently, from Monday to Friday, April 25, an extensive programme of activities will occur on the island of Santiago (Cabo Verde) for the public unveiling of this European initiative.
Activities will encompass the identification of green enhancements applicable to protected natural sites, the execution of these enhancements, and the promotion of awareness campaigns to foster social responsibility toward the conservation of biodiversity and our natural and cultural heritage.
In the Canary Islands, efforts will be concentrated on the island of Tenerife, associated with two protected natural areas—the Rural Park of Teno (Red Natura 2000) and the Natural Monument Montaña Pera Pay.
Conversely, in Cabo Verde, actions will focus on the island of Santiago, also associated with two protected natural areas (the Serra Malagueta Natural Park and the Rui Vaz and Pico de Antónia Natural Park), as well as the urban environments of the municipalities of Ribeira Grande de Santiago and Praia.
In Gambia, the initiatives will relate to the protected natural region of Bijilo Forest, including its connections to the Kot stream and the Onithological Reserve of Tanji, as well as the urban areas of the municipalities of Brikama and Kanifing.
Project collaborators
‘Renaturmac’ is supported by key partners with considerable experience, which will facilitate the effective execution of the planned activities, tailoring them to diverse local contexts.
In the Canary Islands, the Technological and Renewable Energies Institute (Iter) and the Insular Cabildo of Tenerife—through the Ministry of Natural, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies—are involved, while in Cabo Verde, partners comprise the Institute of the Cultural Heritage Institute (IPC), the Municipal Câmara of Praia (CMP), and the Municipal Câmara of Ribeira Grande de Santiago (CMRGS), along with the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) representing this African nation.
Additionally, associated municipalities include Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide.
From April 21 to 25, under Iter’s coordination, the partners will carry out a comprehensive agenda of activities on the island of Santiago (Cape Verde) to formally launch this ambitious European project and strengthen cross-border collaboration efforts.
The programme includes public events for outreach and education, the hosting of the ‘I Transnational Meeting of Partners’, and the conducting of meetings and technical visits to locations relevant to the project’s execution in Cabo Verde, among the partners and key stakeholders, along with several institutional meetings with reference entities to present the project and explore potential synergies or collaborations.
Presentation and events
The introduction of ‘Renaturmac’ will occur on Wednesday in the city of Praia and will feature contributions from the delegate in Cabo Verde from Fucaex-Government of the Canary Islands, the mayors of the two Cabo Verdean municipalities involved in the project, the president of the CPI, and the project’s technical coordinator and head of the Department of Sustainable Architecture of Iter.
Following this, the ‘I Transnational Meeting of Partners’ will convene, where current actions, upcoming phases of the project, and the specific roles of each partner will be assessed. The project management committee will be officially formed, and the initial communication channels and promotional materials for Renaturmac will be unveiled.
In the afternoon, the Cidage Velha Cultural Center (Santiago) will host the cross-border dissemination day titled ‘Improving the green and blue transition in areas associated with protected natural spaces in the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Gambia-Project Renaturmac’.
This complimentary event is aimed at the general public, where partners will present the current status of various natural spaces they directly impact, as well as the initiatives their organisations undertake to aid in their preservation.
Moreover, the actions planned by ‘Renaturmac’ will be discussed, along with how they will contribute to the conservation and sustainability of these natural areas.
