Last Friday, 13 March, in Lousã, the General Assembly of ADXTUR – the Agency for the Development of the Schist Villages Region – elected the association’s new governing bords for the coming term. The election took place following the submission of a single list, which was approved by the members.

These elections take place at a time when ADXTUR is consolidating its position as the regional development agency for the Pinhal Interior, reinforcing its strategic role in promoting an integrated model of territorial development. The new term also begins against a backdrop of considerable complexity, marked by the environmental and socio-demographic vulnerabilities affecting the region, which require coordinated and innovative responses.

According to the elected list, the Board will now be chaired by Jorge Alves Custódio, Mayor of Pampilhosa da Serra, with João Lobo (Municipality of Proença-a-Nova) as Vice-Chair, João Marques (Municipality of Pedrógão Grande) as Secretary, and Luís Paulo Costa (Municipality of Arganil) as Treasurer. The Board also includes members José Miguel Ramos Ferreira (Municipality of Miranda do Corvo), Pedro Pedrosa (Pedro Pedrosa, Unipessoal, Lda.), Carlos Fonseca (Medronhalva, Lda.), Elsa Marçal (Turisertã, S.A.) and Joana Pereira (Soul Speaking Out Loud).

The General Assembly’s Bureau is chaired by the Municipality of Lousã, with the Municipality of Góis and the Parish of Almaceda (Castelo Branco) serving as members. The Supervisory Board is chaired by Miguel Gavinhos (Municipality of Fundão) and also comprises the municipalities of Oliveira do Hospital and Vila de Rei.

For Jorge Alves Custódio, “ADXTUR must continue to assert itself as a platform for territorial cooperation, drawing closer to its greatest asset — its members — and strengthening mechanisms for participation, so that everyone can see themselves reflected and actively contribute to building solutions for the region”.

The new president also emphasised that “the reputation and recognition achieved by ADXTUR are the result of the effort and dedication of many people and institutions over the years”, expressing his deep appreciation to all those who have previously served on the governing bodies. At the same time, he called on the current governing bodies to mobilise for the intensive work required to promote the sustainable development of the Pinhal Interior.

ADXTUR also expresses its gratitude to the outgoing chairman of the Board, Paulo Fernandes, for his vision and decisive contribution to establishing the Schist Villages as a territorial development project based on cooperation between public and private entities.