The Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement: Boosting Growth and Development
The Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement is a strategic framework for the allocation of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in Portugal over the period of 2014-2020. It aims to foster a sustainable and inclusive growth model, supported by investments in key areas such as innovation, competitiveness, employment, education, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
The agreement was signed by the Portuguese government and the European Commission in 2014, and it represents a significant opportunity for the country to address its structural challenges and leverage its potential for economic and social development.
One of the main priorities of the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement is to enhance the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalization. To achieve this goal, the agreement provides funding for a wide range of activities, such as research and development, technological transfer, digitalization, clusters, start-ups, SMEs, creative industries and internationalization support measures.
Another important objective of the partnership agreement is to improve the quality of education and training, in order to better align the skills of the workforce with the needs of the labor market and foster a more inclusive and cohesive society. To this end, the agreement supports investments in areas such as vocational training, adult education, digital skills, mobility, social innovation and poverty reduction.
In addition, the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement aims to promote environmental sustainability and the transition to a low-carbon economy. It supports investments in areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport, circular economy and natural and cultural heritage preservation.
The Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement has a total budget of around €25 billion, of which €21 billion comes from the ESIF, and €4 billion from national public and private co-financing sources. The funds are distributed among five thematic program areas: Competitiveness and Internationalization, Human Capital, Cohesion, Territorial Development and Maritime Affairs.
To ensure the effective implementation of the agreement, a complex system of governance and monitoring has been established, involving various stakeholders at national, regional and local levels. The system includes a strategic framework, a monitoring committee, a managing authority, a certification authority, a financial control system, an evaluation system and a communication and publicity system.
The Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement is a major opportunity for Portugal to address its structural challenges and promote sustainable and inclusive growth. The agreement provides funding for a wide range of activities, from innovation to education, from environmental sustainability to territorial development. It requires a strong commitment from all stakeholders and a rigorous governance and monitoring system. If effectively implemented, the agreement can help Portugal to improve its competitiveness, enhance its human capital, promote its territorial cohesion, preserve its natural and cultural heritage and contribute to the achievement of the Europe 2020 strategy objectives.