The Aldeias do Xisto are present in the “25 years & 25 projects” photographic exhibition, with the Schist Heritage Network project. Scheduled to open on 9 October at 10am in the Alameda metro station in Lisbon, the exhibition marks the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, signed in Porto on 2 May 1992, between the Member States of the European Union and the countries of the European Free Trade Area.  Since 1994, four European Economic Area Financial Mechanisms (EEAFM), also known as EEA Grants, have taken place, and Portugal is currently benefiting from the fifth Mechanism (2014-2021). This exhibition, open until 9 November, is being promoted by the EEAFM National Management Unit, which acts as the National Focal Point for EEA Grants in Portugal.

Covered by the second mechanism (2009-2014), the international project Schist Heritage Network took place within the framework of a partnership between the Aldeias do Xisto Network and the Museum of Røros, a town in Norway classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The project was based on knowledge transfer between Norwegian and Portuguese craftsmen, in the context of building restoration works in the Aldeias do Xisto, in-line with the heritage preservation methodology implemented in Røros.
 

These conservation works on the built heritage of the Aldeias do Xisto Network have made a positive contribution to the process of improving the quality of life of the local population and strengthening local identity, with a view to establishing itself as a tourist destination of excellence on the European scene. 
 

The workshops dealt with the conservation and repair of traditional constructions, focused essentially on local materials, schist stone and wood, and thereby providing an exchange of knowledge and best practices in operations to conserve and repair cultural heritage in a rural environment. In total, intervention work was carried out on 80 buildings.
 

The Alameda metro station is a symbolic choice as it was one of the first projects funded by EEA Grants Portugal.

EEA GRANTS

Through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, signed in Porto in May 1992, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are partners in the internal market with the Member States of the European Union.

As a way of promoting a continuous and balanced reinforcement of economic and commercial relations, the parties to the European Economic Area Agreement established a multi-annual financial mechanism, known as EEA Grants, through which Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway financially support the European Union Member States with the greatest deviations from the European average GDP per capita, in which Portugal is included.

The two major objectives of EEA Grants are to:

• Produce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area
• Strengthen bilateral relations between beneficiary and donor countries.