Portugal

PORTUGUESE TEAM PREPARATION ACTIVITIES

First round: Activities until May 15th 2024

This round included two activities: Personal photos and Logo contest.

These activities were uploaded to the shared file until the May 15th 2024.

First activity: Personal photos

Each participant from the Portuguese team prepared a photo representing theirselves.

Each photo included one (or more) photos of the participant and a short text where each person introduced themselves and expressed their feelings about the project.

Participants found this activity very interesting as they got to know better the people they will be with on the youth exchange.

Furthermore, they were able to develop new capabilities, especially in the technological and linguistic components and also create a greater bond of friendship between the national group.

In summary, the team inserted a total of 10 personal photos into the shared file and developed new skills and a better relationship with the participants.

Photos of the participants can be found in this link: https://grepla-pla.webnode.page/participants/

Second activity: Logo Contest

The Logo Contest, an initiative promoted by the countries involved in the project, involved the design of a logo that could identify the project.

The Portuguese participants developed in total two potential logos for the project, that were submitted for the contest.

After exchanging several ideas and discussing the most important and essential elements in the logo the logos were developed with the help of digital design programs.

Despite being an activity that involved a little effort, it was a very fun activity that made the group create an even stronger bond.

Participants found the activity very captivating and were able to share knowledge and evolve their digital and creative skills.

In summary, 2 logos were delivered, developed by the participants. Logos of the Portuguse team can be found at this link: https://grepla-pla.webnode.page/logo-contest-results/

After submitting our logos, the voting phase took place from May 18th to May 25th.

After receiving a poster with all the potential logos of the project, each participant voted in their favorite.

The voting phase was undoubtedly the simplest part of this activity, however the participants had a lot of difficulties in deciding on the logo, since all the logos were very well developed and related very well to the project and its entire concept.

The winning logo of the program was logo no 02, developed by our team.

With this activity, the first round of activities finished.

Second round: Activities until June 15th 2024

This round included four activities. Each activity consisted of research and development of a poster for different themes. The posters developed had the following themes:

Sustainable cooking;
Climate change and results in our areas;
Sustainable methods;
Up to the team to decide (But based on the theme of the project)

These activities were uploaded to the shared file until the May 15th 2024.

First activity: Global Warming in Portugal

Global warming refers to the gradual increase in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
Records show a rapid rise in Portugal's temperature in the last years, being 2022 and 2023 the two warmest years since 1931.
From 2010 to 2023, the average Portugal annual temperature increased a total of 1.2ºC. It might not seem like a lot but it's definitely an indicator that things might get worst in the future.

Global warming is primarily driven by burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial activities, agricultural practices, and urbanization.
These activities produce massive amounts of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere.
A warmer climate is not good for the planet… it affects the environment in various ways.

In Portugal we have the examples of the flooded areas in Aveiro, the prolonged droughts in Evora and the forest fires in Leiria.
Addressing these challenges is crucial to mitigate future damage and protect the environment.

You can help reduce global warming by conserving energy, using renewable resources and reducing waste.
Making sustainable choices in daily life, such as using public transportation and supporting eco-friendly products, also makes a significant impact.

Second activity: Portuguese edible plants

Some wild E.P (edible plants) in Portugal are:

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Young leaves in salads, flowers, tea or wine.
Nettle (Urtica dioica): Leaves cooked like spinach or in soups.
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa): Acidic leaves in salads or soups
Purslane (Portucala oleracea): Leaves and stems in salads or cooked.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Leaves and seeds as seasoning, young steams raw or cooked

Some unconventional wild E.P in Portugal are:

Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis pescaprae): Acidic leaves in salads.
Curled Dock (Rumex crispus): Young leaves cooked like spinach
Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris): Young leaves in salads or cooked
Burdock (Arctium lappa): Young roots cooked or raw, young leaves in salads.
Mallow (Malva sylvestris): Leaves and flowers in salads, soups and teas.

Some wild edible fruits in Portugal are:

Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus): Fresh, in jams, or desserts.
Strawberry Tree Fruits (Arbutus unedo): Medronho liqueur and jams.
Chestnut (Castanea sativa): Roasted, boiled or pureed

- Harvesting and Consumption tips:

Safe Identification: Ensure correct plant identification.
Clean Environment: Avoid polluted areas.
Sustainability: Harvest only what you need.
Proper Preparation: Some plants need special preparation.

Third activity: Anthropogenic impact on riparian zones

A riparian zone is a natural space around a watercourse with diverse vegetation.
It acts as a filter for contaminants, promotes the flow of nutrients, intervenes in flood control, stabilizes the soil, protecting it from erosion and has great biodiversity.

- Factors that affect Degradation:

Excessive constructions on the banks of streams
Deforestation
Construction of dams.
Deforestation leads to the exposure of soil to erosion and flooding, which implies the loss of biodiversity and the destruction of these areas.

The most impacting factor in these areas is the consumption of dams.
Dams cause flooding in areas upstream of the streams, which leads to the death of riparian vegetation causing less CO2 absorption and less O2 release.
Dams also cause the accumulation of sediments upstream. Since no sediment arrives downstream soils turn infertile and the death of flora due to lack of essential sediments is evident.

To conserve these areas, we must implement certain measures such as: cleaning and maintenance of the banks; education and awareness to protect these areas; involvement of the local population and parish in the rehabilitation.

Fourth activity: Sustainable initiatives in Valongo

FRUTA FEIA (translation: Ugly fruit)

The initiative Fruta Feia in Valongo combats food waste by valuing fruits and vegetables that are discarded because they do not meet the aesthetic standards of the market, but are in perfect conditions for consumption.
Started in 2013 in Portugal, Fruta Feia supports local farmers and offers fresh products at affordable prices.

The project collects these foods from farmers and distribute them to consumers through weekly baskets.
In addition to reducing waste and CO2 emissions, the initiative strengthens the local economy and makes the community aware of the importance of sustainable food.

O MERCADO by CM Valongo

O Mercado BY CM Valongo Market aims to promote healthy lifestyle habits, particularly with regard to regular consumption of vegetables and fruit. With this initiative, its objective is to ensure easy access to fresh, quality products at a fair price through the Basket of the Week.

As a municipality committed to economic development and environmental sustainability, Valongo opts for a partnership with the Agricultural Producers Cooperative of the Municipality of Valongo, thus supporting the local economy and reducing the ecological footprint. + In this Market, you will always have information about the recipes of the Basket, and to facilitate the choices of the day-to-day, useful tips ready to use.