Laboratório da Paisagem hosts conference on the future of Guimarães’ economy

Laboratório da Paisagem hosted a conference on Guimarães’ economy, competitiveness and green transition, organised by the Municipality of Guimarães in partnership with SIC Notícias and Expresso. The event featured the presentation of a study on the local economy and the launch of the Green Academy, which will be delivered by Laboratório da Paisagem.

Held as part of the Guimarães 26 – European Green Capital programme and the European A+CLASS – Alliance for Climate Leadership project, the conference brought together representatives from the Municipality of Guimarães, academia and the business community to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the municipality’s economy.

The study, conducted by Francisco Carballo-Cruz and João Cerejeira from the University of Minho, confirms Guimarães’ strong industrial and export base. Manufacturing accounts for almost 43% of employment in the municipality, while exports total nearly €1.5 billion a year.

However, the findings highlight challenges in productivity, which stands at around 92% of the national average, and earnings. Average earnings among workers in Guimarães stand at 82% of the national average, underscoring the need to generate greater value, retain talent and strengthen links between businesses and the knowledge generated locally.

The proposed strategy sets out 17 areas for action, including upgrading existing industry, defence and dual-use technologies, aerospace, medical technologies, the circular economy, advanced materials and artificial intelligence.

In his opening remarks, the Mayor of Guimarães, Ricardo Araújo, stressed the study’s importance in shaping the municipality’s economic strategy: “We did not want a snapshot. We wanted a diagnosis, a strategy and a new path forward.”

The panel discussion “The Next Economy”, moderated by Cristina Freitas of SIC Notícias, highlighted the need to increase productivity, bring businesses closer to research, strengthen cooperation and integrate certification, sustainability and regulatory requirements into the development of new products and services.

The conference concluded with a presentation of the Green Academy by Susana Costa, Operations and Project Management Coordinator at Laboratório da Paisagem.

The initiative will be delivered by Laboratório da Paisagem and aims to help local businesses respond to new environmental and sustainability requirements across their value chains. Its first phase will take the form of a 10-week bootcamp, comprising nine sessions and accommodating up to 180 companies.

Scheduled to begin in 2026, the programme will cover areas such as carbon footprints, double materiality, green finance, green procurement and ESG reporting, combining training, diagnostic assessments and specialist technical support.

The Green Academy is therefore set to become a lasting legacy of Guimarães 26 – European Green Capital for the business community, harnessing knowledge and the green transition to strengthen the competitiveness of companies in Guimarães.