MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

significant positive balance of this first year.

We have built the bases to support a set of future and important projects to the development of our territory.

An example of this is the study for the expansion of the Mondego Mobility System to Penela. An absolute indispensable project to reverse the demographic problem of our village. Developed in conjunction with the Intermunicipal Community (CIM) of Coimbra Region, the study analysed several phases and axles for an eventual expansion of the Metrobus in the region, and the route Condeixa-a-Nova / Penela has been improved with contributions from our municipality. The initial study subverted the fair worries of the Penelenses by not foreseeing a station in the parish of Podentes, which was reversed. This improvement we have achieved, also allows the growth of the number of potential users, which increases the viability of the operation, according to the study criteria.

Another example of our new vision is the organization of the São Miguel Festival, which illustrates the cover of this Bulletin. I feel like we recovered the great moment of reunion of the Penelense family, which we would like to give continuity to, in the 2023 edition.

I also highlight the award of the prize of European Entrepreneurial Region 2023 to Penela, by the European Commission and by the Committee of the Regions. A prize that doesn't represents an end in itself, but that fills us with great pride and that it will help us to pursuit our projects, our quality of life, the potential of our territory and its centrality.

We submitted this application in March of 2022 because we refused to accept this status quo and not progress. Instead, we are the kind who do not surrender. Those who work to find solutions, as a way to overcome difficulties. Our challenge is that this award helps to increase the desirability of the region, attracting business companies and people. In that way, the partnerships with the University of Coimbra and with Instituto Pedro Nunes, together with the offer of our business incubator, Hiese, have been essential to attract new business companies, without forgetting the partnership with the Penela Business Centre.

Finally, the project to the re qualification of the Praça do Município that has now been running for three months, is in progressing. A challenging project that comes to create a set of opportunities. We had a wall that was collapsing and we are going to transform it into a car parking that gives a new centrality to the village of Penela. It will improve the acess for those using the town hall services, In terms of tourism, the visitors of the castle and also the residents of the historic centre and local business, hotels and restaurants.

To clarify, if the option was to rebuild the wall, the municipality would have a cost that could easily get to half a million euros, without any funding possibilities (as there is no support from European funds for retaining walls) and without any significant gain. This way, building the car parking, we could apply for 85% of the European funding, to resolve the problem and improve significantly the access conditions and mobility to the centre of the town. We hope, that roughly a year from now, we can all benefit from this investment. Until then, I would appreciate your understanding for the constraints that the execution of a work such as this can cause.

A final word, at the beginning of a new year, to send you all a message of hope for a better future. Let's continue the fight against the adversities of the current context, with hard work, dedication and imagination, so that we can achieve the goals that Penela and the locals wish for.

I remain fully convinced that we are on the right path and that, although possibly later than we intended, we will fulfil the commitments we have made. For all this, for the difficult moment that the world Is going through, with a war in the centre of Europe, next year will be very challenging for all of us.

From me, today and always, you can be assured of my commitment and exclusive dedication to the public cause, to defend and work for Penela and the people of Penela, side by side with my team, the municipal workers, the Municipal Assembly, the Parish Councils and with everyone who wants to cooperate with us.