Network of Historic Villages of Portugal

The Association of Historic Villages of Portugal, founded in 2007, is a private non-profit association that brings together public and private entities to work on the local development of the Network of Historic Villages of Portugal (NHVP), which includes Almeida, Belmonte, Castelo Mendo, Castelo Novo, Castelo Rodrigo, Idanha-a-Velha, Linhares da Beira, Marialva, Monsanto, Piódão, Sortelha and Trancoso. The 12 Historic Villages of Portugal are located in the central interior of Portugal, near to the border with Spain, and are spread over 10 municipalities.
The Association has adopted the principles of sustainability and innovation in developing the Collective Efficiency Strategy for each programme period, focusing on the enhancement of endogenous resources, with the NHVP as the guiding principle of the strategy. Economic, social and territorial cohesion is an objective, supported by the challenges of digital and energy transition. The fibre optic infrastructure of the 12 Villages, the adaptation of accessibility and inclusion, sustainable and inclusive urban mobility, the creation of collective energy self-consumption communities, the classification of the 12 Historic Villages as a National Monument, our commitment to the Covenant of Mayors and the New European BAUHAUS are some of the projects/actions that demonstrate our commitment to sustainability. These areas are classified as heritage sites and therefore require the search for innovative and sustainable solutions in terms of rehabilitation/preservation of the tangible and intangible heritage. The path taken has been recognised, certified and evaluated nationally and internationally, demonstrating a move towards carbon neutrality.