The recent Madeira 2025 Conference in Funchal served as a platform for a structured debate on the beaches of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, highlighting the urgency to requalify these spaces and ensure their universal access.
Political Collaboration and New Directions
The meeting was attended by the three main regional political forces, in a remarkable atmosphere of understanding and institutional cooperation. Moderated by Miguel Guarda, director of JM-FM radio, strategies for coastal planning and environmental sustainability policies were discussed to ensure balanced development.
Tourist Pressures and Infrastructure
The current management faces constraints related to the lack of planning of infrastructures and the impact of mass tourism, which hinders the full use of beaches by residents and visitors. It was also pointed out that the duplication of public support ends up not reaching those who need it most, especially in peripheral areas of the island.
Youth Involvement
One of the highlights of the Conference was the reference to the Young Municipal Assembly, considered an inspiring model to stimulate young people’s active participation in the protection of coastal environments and in the enhancement of bathing spaces.
Perspectives and Next Steps
Although concrete measures have not yet been announced, the discussions revealed a joint commitment to place the theme of beaches at the top of the regional agenda. The expectation is that, in the coming years, projects will emerge involving municipalities, civic associations, and environmental entities in a common effort.
Returning to the people the full use of the beaches of Madeira translates into a political and social challenge, which involves combining environmental conservation, accessibility, and collective well-being. This will undoubtedly be one of the central axes of the regional policies being defined.
