Project proposal by
- Institution : Municipality of Miranda do Corvo
- City : Miranda do Corvo
- Country : Portugal
- Type of region : Transition
- Population : 12 117
Looking for Project Partners
Across Europe, many local territories, particularly small and medium-sized places outside major urban centres, face a persistent structural challenge. They offer high quality of life, safety and strong environmental and community assets, yet continue to experience demographic decline, ageing populations and limited economic dynamism. At the same time, smaller urban areas near large metropolitan centres often struggle to capture investment, talent and population.
This creates a territorial imbalance: some places are losing population, while others are unable to realise their growth potential. In both cases, territories struggle to convert their strengths into real attractiveness and long-term competitiveness.
The core issue lies not in the absence of assets, but in the way public policies are designed and implemented. Key areas such as housing, education, community life and economic development are often addressed in isolation. Family-related policies, in particular, tend to be treated as social support, rather than as a lever for territorial transformation.
This project proposes rethinking family-centred policies as a strategic framework for territorial development, based on a simple assumption: places that are good for families become more attractive, dynamic and competitive.
We are looking for territories that:
face demographic decline, ageing or difficulties in attracting and retaining population, as well as territories that are managing to attract and retain population but need to sustain, structure and scale this success;
are small and medium-sized cities or urban-rural territories;
recognise the limits of fragmented policy approaches;
are interested in strengthening their attractiveness for families.
Our ambition is to demonstrate that family-centred policies can move beyond the social domain and become a strategic lever for territorial development. By aligning key policy areas around the needs of families, the project aims to support territories in strengthening their attractiveness, addressing demographic challenges and enhancing their long-term competitiveness.