Algarve's AMAL Approves 2025 Budget of €18.7 Million Amid New Initiatives

The AMAL – Intermunicipal Community of Algarve has officially approved its 2025 budget amounting to €18.7 million during the second Ordinary Session of this year, held on Tuesday, the 3rd of November in Albufeira. This budget aims to address critical areas and enhance local governance.

In addition to the budget approval, a Vote of Praise was presented, recognizing the Governments of Portugal and Spain for the Iberian Summit that took place in Faro.

Key Management Documents Approved

During the session, essential management documents for the upcoming year were ratified, including the Major Options of the Plan and Budget. These documents highlight priority areas for AMAL's work, including:

• Operationalizing new instruments through contracting programs linked to European funds.
• Focus on mobility, environment, and social sectors as priority areas for 2025.

Leadership Presence and Discussions

The session saw the participation of AMAL's Vice-President Ana Paula Martins and First Secretary Joaquim Brandão Pires. Martins, who is also the President of Tavira City Council, addressed various issues raised by deputies, such as the Mobile Slaughterhouse, the Coastal Zone Planning Review, and the performance of ALGAR in the Algarve region.

Martins emphasized ongoing discussions regarding the electricity distribution network, the Social Development Plan for Algarve, particularly in education, and efforts to combat school failure. She also highlighted the Water Efficiency initiatives, managing around €44 million under the Regional Water Efficiency Plan, noting successful project execution across nearly all municipalities.

Assembly Engagement and Future Meetings

Of the 58 members of the Intermunicipal Assembly, 49 deputies from various political forces attended the meeting. Since its establishment, the Assembly has convened in seven municipalities across the Algarve, part of the Intermunicipal Assembly in Motion initiative led by President José Águas da Cruz to decentralize sessions.

Ordinary meetings of the AMAL Intermunicipal Assembly are held twice a year, with the next one scheduled for April 2025.