Vila Nova de Famalicão is the only Portuguese city to join the Manifesto - Cities for Sustainable Industry, which gathers several cities in the promotion and implementation of the new Industrial Strategy of the European Union, based on a greener, smarter and resilient economy.
Baracaldo (Spain), Detmold (Germany), Sindelfingen (Germany), Boblingen (Germany), Sain Nazaire (France) are some of the industrial cities that join Vila Nova de Famalicão in joining this manifesto launched by the Spanish city of Avilés.
The proposal to join this network was approved in the last meeting of the municipal executive and its formalization is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 2, in an online meeting that will be attended by the various cities involved and representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the Eurotowns Network, among others.
"Through this manifesto (...) we wish to give special support to our industry, a leader in innovation and sustainability, and demand from the EU a frank commitment and support that contributes to the objective of having a strong industry that respects carbon neutrality (...) while strengthening its competitiveness on a level playing field in the global market," the document reads.
The signatory cities of this manifesto commit to support the transformation to a sustainable industry, with more efficient resources and clean industrial technologies and processes; to foster cooperation between the various cities and the main actors of the sector; to establish mutual sharing and learning relationships; and to support urban and industrial projects that promote the sustainability objectives of the European Union (EU), in order to build a competitive and carbon neutral Europe.
It should be noted that on 10 March 2020, the European Commission presented "A New Industrial Strategy for Europe" and set out a plan on how the EU's world-leading Industry could lead the dual green and digital transition, harnessing the strength of its traditions, its businesses and its people to increase its competitiveness. The implementation of the strategy was somewhat stalled by Covid-19, prompting the Commission to update the Strategy in May 2021 to reflect this.
The new EU Industrial Strategy offers a new and disruptive approach to its previous industrial policy, defining a range of actions to support all players in European industry, including large and small companies, innovative startups, research centres, service providers, suppliers and social partners.
It is also worth remembering that the municipality has defined an Urban Diplomacy Strategy for the Internationalisation of Vila Nova de Famalicão - Famalicão Alliance, having assumed as a starting ambition the integration and participation in international cooperation networks, promoting the communication of Famalicão's identity based on its distinctive brands.
