Many European cities are facing a growing social and urban challenge: older people are increasingly excluded from historic centres due to barriers in accessibility, mobility and services, while at the same time many heritage buildings remain vacant or underused. In heritage-rich cities, this dynamic contributes to a progressive loss of residential use and everyday urban life, with historic areas increasingly oriented towards tourism and short-term uses rather than supporting inclusive and liveable communities.

Across many European cities, urban cores are facing a visible increase in vacant ground-floor premises, declining local commerce and a gradual weakening of everyday urban life. At the same time, municipalities are challenged to revitalise these areas without compromising sustainable urban development, ensuring a balanced use of public space that supports economic activity while enhancing residents’ quality of life.

GEN-MED addresses a structural challenge shared by Mediterranean mid-sized cities: the simultaneous decline of youth population and the underutilisation of culture as a lever for sustainable urban regeneration.

This project will address the acute water and sanitation crisis affecting over 10,000 students and children of both genders in 10 primary and secondary schools, particularly girls' schools. We will renovate toilets, install solar-powered water pumps, and provide basic hygiene supplies. To ensure sustainability, we will equip the facilities with waterproof exhaust fans and lighting, apply a protective anti-mold coating, and provide cleaning tools along with the necessary training.

Presentation of the Territory : 

The urban community of GrandAngoulême is a public institution for inter-municipal cooperation (PIIC) located in the department of Charente and the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine. The city center is Angoulême. GrandAngoulême covers a territory of 38 municipalities and has about 141,000 inhabitants.

CIM Viseu Dão Lafões is an intermunicipal community in the Centro Region of Portugal, bringing together 14 municipalities across a territory of approximately 3,483 km² and around 259,590 inhabitants in 2024. Located between the Portuguese coast and the interior, it combines more dynamic urban centres with low-density rural areas. The region faces a heterogeneous demographic reality, with significant differences between municipalities and between rural and urban areas.

Presentation of the Territory : 

The urban community of GrandAngoulême is a public establishment for inter-municipal cooperation (EPCI) located in the department of Charente and the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine. The city center is Angoulême. GrandAngoulême covers a territory of 38 municipalities and has about 141,000 inhabitants.