MARCA - Associação de Desenvolvimento Local

description of organisation

Marca - ADL is a non-profit association headquartered in Montemor-o-Novo (district of Évora, Portugal). It aims is to promote qualified development of Montemor-o-Novo municipality in particular to support actions in the social and cultural sphere, environmental preservation and enhancement of natural and human heritage, entrepreneurship and support for business creation and quality services. Environmental and heritage concerns were at the root of the creation of the MARCA ADL, that currently has the legal status equivalent to Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (ENGO).

Our action goals are:
-To contribute to a balanced and sustainable development;
-To match the physical and cultural space of the community with the local capabilities and to define strategies to overcome the current problems;
-To encourage the participation of the people in different levels of the development process, with special attention to youngsters and adults with integration difficulties in the labour market;
-To enhance citizenship and community participation;
-To revitalize traditional activities and transform them into a resource of employment promotion;
-To support entrepreneurship, business creation and quality services;
-To promote cultural, human and natural heritage, together with the landscape;
-To connect culture and science to local development and the local economy.

Marca - ADL fosters activities and projects in the following areas:
-Nature Conservation;
-Environmental education;
-Citizenship;
-Human rights;
-Tourism and Cultural Heritage;
-Natural Heritage;
-Social inclusion;
-Employability;
-Participation and associationism;
-Youthwork.

In order to develop these actions/activities, we have established several partnerships, such as with the district schools, youth centres, city hall, universities, and other entities that identify with the objectives of the projects. At an international level, we have worked with several associations that are also part of the Erasmus +.
The target audience is the local community, youth, adults, unemployed, people with disabilities, entrepreneurs and local associations.