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100% Funded
12 mth
term
5.2%
a year
monthly
instalment
C+
rating
Rural development
SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
Collaborative workspace for rural development in Portugal.
Impact
Regionally anchored and internationally connected, CLARA’s vision is to bridge the gap between the urban and the rural and create shared values. Promoting dialogue, experimentation, research, innovation and the transfer of knowledge, they want to challenge patterns of thinking and behaviour, and explore contemporary solutions for the revitalisation of low density regions, while integrating, involving and empowering the local community, embracing their skills, perspectives and traditions.
The goal of the project is to develop the Odemira region while attracting people there and creating new job opportunities. By restoring ecosystems, investigating and promoting the region's full potential and expanding its cultural offer, they want to improve local living conditions, support artists and designers and attract more visitors, new residents, talent and investments to the region.
Transforming a derelict brick factory that once served as an economic and social anchor for the region into a Centre for Rural Future, they host activities that promote eco living, cultural activism and ethical tourism.
The whole rehabilitation process will be sustainable, starting from the planning to the construction, product development and contemporary design. Everything is based on innovative materials and processes and sustainable techniques. For example, hot water is supplied by a solar system and food supplies are organic and preferably bought from local producers.
Project Information
While Odemira is the municipality with the largest territory in Portugal, its interior has one of the lowest population densities in Europe. The CLARA project aims to reverse these negative trends, through the restoration and reconstruction of a brick factory, which previously acted as an anchor for economic and social activity in the area. The aim of the project is to give back to the population of the Alentejo region, where Odemira is located, transforming a derelict factory that once served as an economic and social anchor for the region into a Centre for Rural Future. CLARA is a collaborative workspace for research, training and innovation, promoting a creative environment where people live and work together for a specified period of time, stimulating the debate on local issues and encouraging the commitment of all involved. The loan will allow CLARA to turn this project into a reality. Also, it is backed by a co-financing contract from 'Turismo de Portugal', which is committed to refunding CLARA 50% of their expenses.
In the first construction phase, it is necessary to install infrastructures and equipment to accommodate residents. The construction of the equipment is an architectural project and construction of the Collective Warehouse for CLARA. Partners of the project are Sustainable Construction Portal and the Circular Economy Portugal.
Attached Documents
100% Funded
12 mth
term
5.2%
a year
monthly
instalment
C+
rating
Rural development
SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
Collaborative workspace for rural development in Portugal.
Impact
Regionally anchored and internationally connected, CLARA’s vision is to bridge the gap between the urban and the rural and create shared values. Promoting dialogue, experimentation, research, innovation and the transfer of knowledge, they want to challenge patterns of thinking and behaviour, and explore contemporary solutions for the revitalisation of low density regions, while integrating, involving and empowering the local community, embracing their skills, perspectives and traditions.
The goal of the project is to develop the Odemira region while attracting people there and creating new job opportunities. By restoring ecosystems, investigating and promoting the region's full potential and expanding its cultural offer, they want to improve local living conditions, support artists and designers and attract more visitors, new residents, talent and investments to the region.
Transforming a derelict brick factory that once served as an economic and social anchor for the region into a Centre for Rural Future, they host activities that promote eco living, cultural activism and ethical tourism.
The whole rehabilitation process will be sustainable, starting from the planning to the construction, product development and contemporary design. Everything is based on innovative materials and processes and sustainable techniques. For example, hot water is supplied by a solar system and food supplies are organic and preferably bought from local producers.
Project Information
While Odemira is the municipality with the largest territory in Portugal, its interior has one of the lowest population densities in Europe. The CLARA project aims to reverse these negative trends, through the restoration and reconstruction of a brick factory, which previously acted as an anchor for economic and social activity in the area. The aim of the project is to give back to the population of the Alentejo region, where Odemira is located, transforming a derelict factory that once served as an economic and social anchor for the region into a Centre for Rural Future. CLARA is a collaborative workspace for research, training and innovation, promoting a creative environment where people live and work together for a specified period of time, stimulating the debate on local issues and encouraging the commitment of all involved. The loan will allow CLARA to turn this project into a reality. Also, it is backed by a co-financing contract from 'Turismo de Portugal', which is committed to refunding CLARA 50% of their expenses.
In the first construction phase, it is necessary to install infrastructures and equipment to accommodate residents. The construction of the equipment is an architectural project and construction of the Collective Warehouse for CLARA. Partners of the project are Sustainable Construction Portal and the Circular Economy Portugal.
Attached Documents
Project Earth - Valorização Sustentável de Regiões de Convergência
About Project Earth - Valorização Sustentável de Regiões de Convergência
In 2008, after having discovered an old abandoned factory in Alentejo and realising its full potential, Diogo and Mariana bought the complex. Together, with a group of people who shared their thoughts, concerns and ideas, they created Project Earth - Associação para a Valorização Sustentável de Regiões de Convergência, a non-profit association, with the purpose of finding strategies to combat the social and economic problems deteriorating the region (a similar situation to what was happening in other rural areas in Portugal) making it attractive to future generations again by developing the potential of the factory. Project Earth quickly attracted a growing group of artists, designers, architects, psychologists, researchers and thinkers from Portugal who face the challenge of transforming rural areas. A month after it was founded, the Portuguese Ministry of Culture recognised Project Earth as an Association of Cultural Interest.
The Business Model
Project Earth is a non-profit association, fully dedicated to the development of CLARA. The association’s revenues mainly come from the events hosted and organised by CLARA and public subsidies for culture and rural development. CLARA is based in Odemira, Portugal and its goal is to carry out activities such as residences, cultural events, workshops and conferences encompassing many different art disciplines mainly for the locals in the Alentejo region. It is also a collaborative workspace for research, training and innovation, promoting a creative environment where people live and work together. They want to improve local living conditions, support artists and designers and attract more visitors, new residents, talent and investments to the region.
Track Record
In 2008, Diogo and Mariana bought a brick factory in Alentejo. Portugal. In the same year, they created a non-profit association, Project Earth, fully dedicated to the development of CLARA.
In 2017, they secured its first milestone in the government program for the Valuation of Tourism in the Interior in the amount of € 400,000.
At the beginning of 2019, they entered the first phase of their application to the European Horizon 2020 Program. In the same year, they have received financing for its activities from the Portugal 2020 program.
In August 2019, CLARA hosted its first international event HOLIS Summer School gathered 24 participants together from 10 countries who worked in 4 interdisciplinary teams to develop functions and activities alongside business models that will help the centre to revitalise the economic and social fabric of the Odemira region in Portugal.
Our risk assessment classifies the promoter with C+.
Promoter Rating: C+
Guarantees
Project Earth - Valorização Sustentável de Regiões de Convergência
About Project Earth - Valorização Sustentável de Regiões de Convergência
The Business Model
Project Earth is a non-profit association, fully dedicated to the development of CLARA. The association’s revenues mainly come from the events hosted and organised by CLARA and public subsidies for culture and rural development. CLARA is based in Odemira, Portugal and its goal is to carry out activities such as residences, cultural events, workshops and conferences encompassing many different art disciplines mainly for the locals in the Alentejo region. It is also a collaborative workspace for research, training and innovation, promoting a creative environment where people live and work together. They want to improve local living conditions, support artists and designers and attract more visitors, new residents, talent and investments to the region.
Track Record
In 2008, Diogo and Mariana bought a brick factory in Alentejo. Portugal. In the same year, they created a non-profit association, Project Earth, fully dedicated to the development of CLARA.
In 2017, they secured its first milestone in the government program for the Valuation of Tourism in the Interior in the amount of € 400,000.
At the beginning of 2019, they entered the first phase of their application to the European Horizon 2020 Program. In the same year, they have received financing for its activities from the Portugal 2020 program.
In August 2019, CLARA hosted its first international event HOLIS Summer School gathered 24 participants together from 10 countries who worked in 4 interdisciplinary teams to develop functions and activities alongside business models that will help the centre to revitalise the economic and social fabric of the Odemira region in Portugal.
Our risk assessment classifies the promoter with C+.
Promoter Rating: C+
Guarantees
Payments Status: On time
2020-04-28
Loan terms were restructured
Besides the delay on the payment of a subsidy from Turismo de Portugal, the recent COVID-19 outbreak also affected the promoter's financial situation. Therefore, Project Earth asked for a change in the terms of CLARA’s loan. The new conditions consist of the introduction of a 6 month grace period and a project extension for the same duration. 97% of the investors agreed.
2020-04-03
Project in arrears
The still missing support from Turismo de Portugal meant CLARA was not able to pay on the scheduled date.
2020-03-03
Project in arrears
The still missing support from Turismo de Portugal meant CLARA was not able to pay on the scheduled date.
2020-02-02
Application to H2020
Application to CULTOUR, H2020 Program that is part of a bigger program called TRANSFORMATIONS - Innovative approaches to urban and regional development through cultural tourism. This project forecasts a total support of €3,8M, from which €423.000 will be invested in pilot project CLARA.
2020-01-03
Project in arrears
Due to a delay in the release of the funds from Turismo de Portugal, CLARA missed liquidity to pay January's payment on time. The payment was regularized on the 24th of that month.
2019-08-30
Kitchen all set
CLARA’s kitchen and outdoor dining area reinforces its food culture program, adding value to organic production and to other local producers. The outdoor space is vast and offers numerous opportunities for outdoor leisure and work activities. The promoter started a regeneration process by planting trees, creating a water reserve system and starting their own organic food production. Visitors are invited to participate in the process.
2019-08-01
Bathrooms up and running
The bathroom area, divided in 4 blocks, is equipped with 10 toilets, 8 showers, and 10 washbasins. Hot water is supplied by a solar system and drinking water is available.
2019-07-15
Clara Camp Site On
CLARA Camp, located at west side of the property, consists of 20 large, very comfortable and warm tents with wooden floors, mattresses, pillows and duvets, providing the ideal environment to relax after a productive day
2019-07-03
1st payment
2019-07-01
Partial restoration of the factory building
The building was cleaned, non-structural elements were removed, part of the roof that had fallen was repaired and part of the new rainfall drainage system was installed.
2019-05-28
100% funded
2019-05-27
Open for investment
Payments Status: On time
2020-04-28
Loan terms were restructured
Besides the delay on the payment of a subsidy from Turismo de Portugal, the recent COVID-19 outbreak also affected the promoter's financial situation. Therefore, Project Earth asked for a change in the terms of CLARA’s loan. The new conditions consist of the introduction of a 6 month grace period and a project extension for the same duration. 97% of the investors agreed.
2020-04-03
Project in arrears
The still missing support from Turismo de Portugal meant CLARA was not able to pay on the scheduled date.
2020-03-03
Project in arrears
The still missing support from Turismo de Portugal meant CLARA was not able to pay on the scheduled date.
2020-02-02
Application to H2020
Application to CULTOUR, H2020 Program that is part of a bigger program called TRANSFORMATIONS - Innovative approaches to urban and regional development through cultural tourism. This project forecasts a total support of €3,8M, from which €423.000 will be invested in pilot project CLARA.
2020-01-03
Project in arrears
Due to a delay in the release of the funds from Turismo de Portugal, CLARA missed liquidity to pay January's payment on time. The payment was regularized on the 24th of that month.
2019-08-30
Kitchen all set
CLARA’s kitchen and outdoor dining area reinforces its food culture program, adding value to organic production and to other local producers. The outdoor space is vast and offers numerous opportunities for outdoor leisure and work activities. The promoter started a regeneration process by planting trees, creating a water reserve system and starting their own organic food production. Visitors are invited to participate in the process.
2019-08-01
Bathrooms up and running
The bathroom area, divided in 4 blocks, is equipped with 10 toilets, 8 showers, and 10 washbasins. Hot water is supplied by a solar system and drinking water is available.
2019-07-15
Clara Camp Site On
CLARA Camp, located at west side of the property, consists of 20 large, very comfortable and warm tents with wooden floors, mattresses, pillows and duvets, providing the ideal environment to relax after a productive day
2019-07-03
1st payment
2019-07-01
Partial restoration of the factory building
The building was cleaned, non-structural elements were removed, part of the roof that had fallen was repaired and part of the new rainfall drainage system was installed.
2019-05-28
100% funded
2019-05-27
Open for investment