Alcoutim council has announced it will be investing €100,000 to bring to life two projects led by local residents.
It’s all part of the town’s ‘Orçamento Participativo’ (participatory budget), which gave locals a chance to put forward their own projects and then vote for their favourites.
The most voted (59 votes) was the renovation of a public well located near the north entrance of Vaqueiros, as well as the construction of a picnic park, a walking trail and some shale walls in the nearby areas.
The other winning idea (40 votes) is for an upgrade to the town’s Avenida de Espanha.
Each project will cost around €50,000.
The projects were voted on between September 29 and October 10 by 10% (300 people) of the municipality’s eligible voters.
Alcoutim mayor Osvaldo Gonçalves says he is happy with the way everything went as it is proof that the idea to let local people take part in decisions can reap rewards.
