Our community needs your help to understand proposed plans for large-scale industrial and energy development in the Serra da Vigia — an area encompassing São Martinho das Amoreiras, Luzianes-Gare, Santa Clara-a-Velha and Relíquias, in the interior of Odemira — and have a meaningful voice in decisions about its future.

We are raising €30,000 to secure independent planning, ecological and legal expertise to support us through the public-participation process, including the fast-approaching 23 October deadline and the stages that follow.

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Hi, my name is Ana and I am fundraising on behalf of the Community of Neighbors of the Serra da Vigia – Interior de Odemira who have come together to understand and respond to decisions affecting the hills where we live.

A living land

I was born and raised in a monte in the middle of these hills, 38 years ago, in a time of oil lamps and neighbours gathering at our well to collect drinking water.

Much has changed since. But much has remained. The old oak trees are still here, as are the eagles, bees, lavender and rock roses.

And much has started coming back. The barrancos that had been dry for long periods now carry water again. Ravens and blue jays have returned, as have heather and fairy bells. A while ago, I saw a golden jackal here for the first time in my life.

People have come back. The villages and montes had been emptying out for years; today, there is a growing and active community, with families, children, businesses and a renewed cultural life.

Why we need your help

Our hills now face two proposals that could significantly change this living landscape: the Mira Wind Project and changes to the Odemira Municipal Master Plan (PDM).

The Mira Wind Project (affecting the areas of S. Martinho das Amoreiras, Luzianes-Gare, Santa Clara-a-Velha and Relíquias) proposes 22 wind turbines, a new electrical substation, underground power cables, new access roads and power lines — creating a significant new infrastructure footprint across the hills of the Interior de Odemira.

At the same time, the proposed PDM changes would change how our land can be used, potentially allowing large-scale industrial and energy infrastructure in areas that are currently subject to different land-use rules. Both processes raise complex questions that require specialist knowledge our community cannot reasonably provide on its own.

I want to be clear about this: we deeply support renewable energy and the transition to cleaner sources of energy. We believe this can go hand in hand with protecting communities, biodiversity, heritage and the land we live in.

The question is not simply how a project is designed, but also where it is located and whether the same goals could be achieved in locations with fewer impacts.

How your donation will be used

We want to help find the best possible balance between renewable energy, the needs of the community, and the protection of this land.

For this, we need independent planning, ecological and legal expertise. With the PDM participation deadline on 23 October, this work is time-sensitive.

Your donation will help our community understand what is being proposed, study the land and its living ecology, assess potential impacts, and identify how and where we can contribute effectively to the process. It will also give us guidance as the process develops, including on the appropriate administrative and legal steps.

Transparency and accountability

I will act as guardian of the fund on behalf of the community, with no personal benefit, and ensure full transparency in how every contribution is used.

Our Fund Regulation, supporting information and the professional quotations behind the €30,000 target are available to anyone who would like to see them via the links at the bottom of the page.

We would be very grateful for your support.

Every contribution, large or small, helps.

Please donate and share the campaign ♥️⛰️

Help us understand.

Help us participate.

Help us care for the future.

Ana Escher

Grupo de Vizinhos da Serra da Vigia – Interior de Odemira

Community of Neighbours of Serra da Vigia – Interior de Odemira

A little more about me

I work on projects that help preserve the unique intangible heritage of these hills, including Da Serra e da Charneca, a collection of local oral poetry, and Entre Serras e Bichos, supported by Évora Capital Europeia da Cultura 2027. I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Universidade de Lisboa, with a background in law and legal practice, working across research, editorial practice and local forms of knowledge.

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Use of Funds & Campaign Details

Fund Charter

Professional Quotations; Confidentiality Applies

Financial Updates