Who we are

AGA – Arouca Geopark Association is a nonprofit private-law association, established by public deed on 9th June 2008, published in the 2nd series – no. 125 – Diário da República (Official State Gazette), on 1st July, with the following business objectives: 

  • “promote and implement actions allowing for a socio-economic, cultural and environmental development, that is sustained and balanced in the municipality of Arouca and in the region; 
  • manage, in its intervention area, the area classified as Arouca Geopark and the geosites, as well as the protected areas and places classified as Natura 2000 network; 
  • manage the equipment and infrastructures in the nature, science, education, training, technology and/or tourism fields; 
  • preserve, promote and enhance its cultural, natural and geological heritage; promote a sustainable tourism; 
  • strengthen the development of local economic activities, stimulate and support the entrepreneurship and foster the traditional activities; 
  • promote and develop programs and workshops of educational and/or scientific nature, promote and develop scientific research; 
  • promote and develop professional training; 
  • promote and implement actions for raising environmental awareness, as well as activities concerning cultural and tourist entertainment; collect, process and disclose information about the region resources; 
  • implement actions concerning the protection, preservation and disclosure of the natural heritage, namely the geodiversity and biodiversity, with special emphasis on the geological heritage; 
  • promote and implement cooperation actions with entities that can contribute to the achievement of the Association’s goals; 
  • participate in public or private entities within the jurisdiction of the Geopark, and provide services to its members, local agents, and others, as well as market regional handicraft, local products and others”.

Mission 

Contribute to the protection, appreciation and boosting of the natural and cultural heritage, with special emphasis on the geological heritage, with a view to the deepening and disclosure of the scientific knowledge, thus fostering tourism and the sustainable development of the Arouca Geopark territory.

 

Vision 

To be acknowledged, at local, regional, national and international level, as an organization of excellence and reference, promoting a sustainable economic development of the region through the management of Geopark Arouca, complying with the guidelines of the European Geoparks Network.

 

Values

·         Environmental protection

·         Sustainable development

·         Service quality

·         Equity and equal treatment of the users

·         Technical competence and professionalism

·         Innovation

·         Teamwork and network 

·         Environmental responsibility