Portugal 2020 is a partnership agreement adopted between Portugal and the European Commission that defines the programming principles that establish the territorial, social and economic development policy to promote in Portugal between 2014 and 2020.

Portugal will receive EUR 25 billion by 2020.

The Strategy for Research and Innovation of Portugal for a Smart Specialization in their national and regional components: North, Centre, Lisbon, Alentejo, Algarve, Azores, Madeira is worth noting. It identifies the major smart strategies, which are themes with scientific, technological and economic expertise, in which Portugal and its regions hold comparative and competitive advantages or had revealed potential to emerge as such.

ZILS is part of NUT II – Alentejo, NUTS III – Alentejo Litoral, which means that it is covered by Alentejo 2020 Program. In terms of eligibility for European Investment Funds (ERDF, Cohesion Fund, ESF, EAFRD and EMFF), Region Alentejo can access co-financing rate of 85% of the Funds.
The Thematic Operational Programmes in the continent are:

• Competitiveness and internationalisation
• Social inclusion and employment
• Human capital
• Sustainability and efficiency in the use of resources