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2026-10-09
The agreement establishes cooperation on the "Therapeutic Forest" project and opens the possibility for future partnerships in the area of training.
The Instituto Superior Miguel Torga (ISMT) and Fundação Mata do Bussaco formalised a collaboration protocol on 8 October 2026. The signing took place at the Foundation's facilities in Luso. The document was signed by Manuel Castelo Branco, President of the ISMT Direction Board, and Gonçalo Breda Marques, President of the Directive Board of Fundação Mata do Bussaco. The ceremony was also attended by Isa Magalhães, Secretary of the ISMT Direction Board, and Daniela Sequeira, from the Legal Advisory to the Directive Board of Fundação Mata do Bussaco.
The protocol defines the development of the "Therapeutic Forest" project as a central axis. This initiative focuses on the study, enhancement, and dissemination of the impacts of contact with nature in areas such as health, well-being, and social inclusion. The partnership provides for scientific research projects, internships, and academic work by the student community, as well as data collection on the use of the forest and the organisation of seminars. The institutions are also considering submitting joint applications for national and European funding programmes.
The agreement also establishes the openness of both institutions to the development of joint training projects. In this context, there is the prospect of future partnerships aimed, for example, at training tour guides, with the objective of exploring common ways for the interpretation and enhancement of the heritage of the Bussaco National Forest.