Citizens’ Assembly approves four proposals for Neighbourhood C

The Bairro C Citizens’ Assembly: Zero Carbon Commitment has concluded the process of selecting the most relevant proposals for the decarbonisation of this neighbourhood in the centre of Guimarães. At the last session, held last Saturday in the Fraterna auditorium, the participants chose four of the 11 proposals to vote on.

The selected projects are divided into two main areas: Energy and Circular Economy, representing a total investment of 206,000 euros.

In the Energy area, 150,000 euros will be invested in two strategic initiatives. The first consists of setting up the Sustainability Desk, a space dedicated to supporting and counselling citizens on issues such as energy efficiency and the circular economy. The second initiative provides for the installation of a photovoltaic plant for self-consumption, located in municipal buildings, whose surplus energy will be used for social housing, thus promoting a more sustainable model of energy production and consumption.

In the Circular Economy sector, 56,000 euros were allocated for the implementation of two innovative measures. One of them is the ‘Aprendo e RRRCiclo’ space, where workshops will be held on textile repair, household appliances, electronics and upcycling, encouraging the reuse and reduction of waste. In addition, 10 smart bins will be installed, equipped with a rewards system that motivates the adoption of better recycling practices.

These initiatives represent a significant step towards building a more sustainable territory in line with the challenges of the ecological transition.

The Bairro C Citizens’ Assembly: Zero Carbon Commitment, which began last July, held three sessions where citizens debated and devised solutions for areas such as energy, mobility, waste, circular economy, green areas and biodiversity. The project allowed the population to play a central role in defining the municipality’s environmental strategies.

Bairro C: an innovative model for participation and decarbonisation
Bairro C: Zero Carbon Commitment is a pilot project promoted by Guimarães City Council, Laboratório da Paisagem and RdA, as part of the NetZeroCities programme. With an integrated approach, the project works in the fields of energy, mobility, waste, green areas and biodiversity, promoting the active participation of the community in the climate transition.

The aim is to drive behavioural changes and innovative solutions, including the use of public transport, energy efficiency and local renewable energy production, always with the direct involvement of citizens in building a more sustainable and resilient territory.