The SOS PRODEHESA MONTADO project kicks off in a big way with a face-to-face meeting in Badajoz. This project, which is co-funded by the Spain-Portugal Cross-Border Cooperation Programme (POCTEP) and will run from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2025, will tackle the challenges arising from climate change that threaten the survival of this unique ecosystem and has a budget of 2,372,409.07 euros.

The dehesa-montado not only represents an economic engine for rural areas and a key element in population fixation, but also provides crucial ecosystem services and is home to an extraordinary biodiversity. However, climate change has triggered challenges such as low tree regeneration, plant and animal diseases, soil and pasture degradation, as well as a number of regulatory and management obstacles.

Therefore, the project seeks to implement and disseminate actions aimed at the restoration, adaptation to climate change and valorisation of the dehesa-montado. It aims to preserve this ecosystem and promote its economic and environmental resilience, contributing to the creation of territorial resilience.

SOS PRODEHESA MONTADO represents a hope for the preservation of this transboundary treasure. With a comprehensive and collaborative approach, the project will seek to strengthen the resilience of the dehesa-montado, ensuring its prosperity and benefits for future generations.

Consortium:

Partners: Consejería de Agricultura, Desarrollo Rural, Población y Territorio, www.innogestiona.es, Universidade de Évora, Universidad de Extremadura, Actyva S. Coop., Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura (CICYTEX) and CEBAL- Centro de Biotecnologia Agricola e Ago Alimentar do Alentejo.

Non-funded partners: Associação de Agricultores do Sul, UNAC – União da Floresta Mediterrânica, Funpasos and Fedehesa.