The NEWPOWER – Interreg Sudoe project will hold the rural event “Restoring the Forest Together: Science, Community and Landscape Restoration” on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at the Centro de Desenvolvemento Agroforestal of Riós Town Council (Ourense). The activity is organised by the Universidade de Vigo and CETIM Technological Centre, in collaboration with the Instituto Ourensán de Desenvolvemento Económico (INORDE).
The event combines demonstrations with active participation. Its aim is to contribute to the recovery of areas affected by wildfires. To this end, it promotes environmental awareness, the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge, and direct action on the ground through the planting of native species. It also presents innovative and sustainable solutions for forest biomass valorisation.
The programme will begin at 9:30 a.m. with participant registration, followed by an institutional opening led by INORDE and local representatives. Pedro Ferreira Santos (Universidade de Vigo) will then present the NEWPOWER project. Next, Gil Garrote Velasco (Universidade de Vigo) and Mohamed Traoré (CETIM Technological Centre) will discuss innovative solutions for forest biomass valorisation and landscape restoration.
After a coffee break, participants will travel to the forest for a guided walk. During the walk, they will learn about the impacts of the wildfire, natural regeneration processes and the key principles of preventive forest management. The event will conclude with a native species planting activity, a group photo and formal closing remarks at 1:00 p.m.
This activity forms part of NEWPOWER’s outreach activities aimed at the general public, local communities and local stakeholders. Its purpose is to bring the project’s work on agroforestry residue valorisation closer to rural communities and highlight its links to the circular economy, sustainable forest management and territorial resilience.
Participation is free of charge, with prior registration required, and places are limited. Those interested can register using the following form: NEWPOWER Rural Event Registration Form
NEWPOWER is a project co-funded by the Interreg Sudoe programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).