Introduction to the Ave Region (Portugal)

Ave region (NUTS III) is located in North region of Portugal. This region is composed by 8 municipalities: Cabeceiras de Basto, Fafe, Guimarães, Mondim de Basto, Póvoa de Lanhoso, Vieira do Minho, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Vizela.

With 1451.32 km2 and 418,411 inhabitants (statistics Portugal, 2015)), Ave region has a high population density (288 inhabitants/Km2 - statistics Portugal, 2015), higher than Portugal population density (112 inhabitants/Km2 – statistics Portugal, 2015).

The region of Ave has dynamic business community in expansion, mainly composed by SME (in 2011: 63% and 26 SME by Km2).

Industry is the main economic activity Ave region and it’s particularly relevant at municipalities of Vizela, Famalicão, Guimarães and Fafe.

Nowadays, one of the main objectives of the municipalities in the region is to promote the economic and social development in order to improve the living quality of the population. North region employment rate is 51% (statistics Portugal, 2015)).

Rural Profile of the Ave Region

In the Ave region, 9% of inhabitants live in rural areas.

North region´s employment rate in rural area is 48% (statistics Portugal, 2015).

Strengths of the Rural Economy

Entrepreneurship and open to innovation
Good support to rural entrepreneurs
Good accessibility

Challenges for the Rural Economy

Typical rural property dimension
Urban life attractiveness can cause (serious) decrease in rural population
Proximity to Spain can be a strength and at the same time a challenge

The Ave region of Portugal is best known for...

Good quality products
Technology
Smart development

Introduction to the Ave Intermunicipal Community the partner representing the Ave Region

The Ave Intermunicipal Community is a multi-purpose association of municipalities created on April 14, 2009 aimed at promoting the management of intermunicipal projects in the NUT III AVE. It comprises a total of eight municipalities, covering an area of 1453 km² and a population of 425 411 inhabitants. NUT III Ave has a fundamental historical role in the formation of the Portuguese identity and covers territories of three river basins -Douro, Ave and Cávado.