Public Financing Portugal 2030

• Published date: 17 May 2023
• Subject Matter: Finance and Banking, Government, Public Sector, Compliance, Financial Services, Constitutional & Administrative Law, Fund Finance
• Law Firm: PLMJ
• Author: Mr Diogo Duarte Campos, Rui Vasconcelos Pinto, Sofia S' Gonçalves and António Lopes Garcia

Background

The purpose of this informative note is to highlight the recent publication of Decree-Law 20-A/2023 of 22 March, which establishes the general rules for the application of the Portugal 2030 European Funds and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for the programming period 2021-2027. In particular, this law aims to establish the general rules of the different thematic programmes, the requirements for the eligibility of beneficiaries and their obligations, and the methods and forms of financing.

This law aims to establish the general rules of the different thematic programmes, the requirements for the eligibility of beneficiaries and their obligations, and the methods and forms of financing.

Decree-Law 20-A/2023 entered into force on 23 March 2023 and applies to operations carried out under the extraordinary mechanisms to advance Portugal 2030 funds from the date of their reallocation to the respective programmes, with its effects dating back to the date of submission of the application.

Ministerial Order 103-A/2023 of 12 April was published pursuant to this law and contains the specific regulations of the thematic programme Innovation and Digital Transition of Portugal 2030.

In this informative note, we will highlight the main aspects of the general framework for the implementation of the European Funds of Portugal 2030, as well as the specific regulations of the thematic programme Innovation and Digital Transition. Finally, we will list the current calls for proposals published in the context of Portugal 2030.

Objective and scope of application

Decree-Law 20-A/2023 of 22 March establishes the general framework for the application of several European Funds for the period 2021-2027, in particular the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

Applications for the various funding programmes are submitted following the publication of calls for applications, which specify, among other things, the purpose and objectives pursued.

This framework applies to the three types of programmes that make up Portugal 2030:

1. Four thematic programmes: (i) Demography Qualification and Inclusion, (ii) Innovation and Digital Transition, (iii) Climate Action and Sustainability (iv) the Sea.
   
   
2. Five regional programmes: (i) North, (ii) Centre, (iii) Lisbon, (iv) Alentejo, (v) Algarve.
   
   
3. A technical assistance programme.

The provisions of this law also apply, with the necessary adaptations, to the programmes of the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, to the territorial cooperation programmes and to the FAMI programme.

General observations

1. Result-oriented: the use of Portugal 2030 funds is focused on the results to be achieved, which should translate into more knowledge, innovation and added value, more sustainability and better use of...