The Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Sudoe Program organized a grant agreement handover event for the 34 projects approved in its 6th call for proposals, including the ECOSPHEREWINES initiative.
The event, held in Santander, was inaugurated by the Minister of Economy, Finance, and European Funds of the Government of Cantabria, Mr. Luis Ángel Agüeros, the institution designated by the European Commission as the Managing Authority of Interreg Sudoe.
During his speech, Agüeros expressed, “my congratulations and recognition to all the approved projects that represent a step forward in the innovation of the SUDOE territory.” He also highlighted the success of participation, with over 140 initial applications received, which “is proof of the interest in this program, which has become a reference for Spain, France, and Portugal in addressing common challenges.”
Specifically, 144 initial applications were received by the Sudoe, of which 69 passed the first phase, and 34 were finally approved for funding, including the ECOSPHEREWINES project.
In this context, Alfonso Ribas, Innovation Director of the Juana de Vega Foundation, was responsible for receiving the signed FEDER grant agreement on behalf of the entire consortium of this project, whose objective is to improve the ecosystem of vineyards located in high ecological value areas through the implementation of a green infrastructure network for their conservation and sustainable management.
Thus, ECOSPHEREWINES falls under Priority 1 of the Interreg Sudoe Program, “Preserving natural capital and strengthening adaptation to climate change in the SUDOE,” and more specifically, aligned with Specific Objective 2.7, “Increasing the protection and conservation of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution,” with a total budget of 15 million euros.
A total of 13 Spanish, French, and Portuguese entities are already working under the coordination of the Juana de Vega Foundation on this initiative, which has a budget of €1,622,891.04, co-financed at 75% by the Interreg Sudoe Program with FEDER funds.
About the ECOSPHEREWINES consortium
The partners carrying out ECOSPHEREWINES activities comprise a total of 13 entities from 3 countries: Spain, France, and Portugal. All are coordinated by the Juana de Vega Foundation.
The Spanish partners include the Universidade da Coruña, ITER Investigación, the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Duero-Douro, the Mariñas Coruñesas Biosphere Reserve, the Wine Technology Platform, the Agricultural Technology Institute of Castilla y León (ITACyL), and the Pagos de Brigante winery.
Portugal is represented by the Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Viticultura Duriense (ADVID), the Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, and the Duorum Vinhos winery.
Finally, the French entities involved in the ECOSPHEREWINES project are the Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin (IFV) and the Interprofession des Vins du Sud-ouest France.
