The CRESC Algarve 2020 Regional Operational Program, which reached a 100% execution rate, “had as its first consequence an increase in the region's contribution, in terms of national GDP [Gross Domestic Product], from 4% to 5%”, said the president of the CCDR of the Algarve, José Apolinário.

José Apolinário insisted that “at this moment, the economy generated in the region represents 5% of the national GDP [Gross Domestic Product]”, in which the tourism sector is the most important sector.

The president of the Algarve CCDR then highlighted the importance of CRESC in strengthening the region's responses in terms of care close to public service structures, particularly in education, with “a strong investment in schools”.

According to figures presented during the ceremony, the early childhood education coverage rate (gross pre-school enrolment rate) increased from 80.9% in 2013 to 101% in 2023, when the target to be achieved was 93%.

Another indicator cited was that of Elementary School students integrated into a normal school system (public school system), which went from 96.4% to 99.9% when the target was 99.5%.

The CRESC 2020 Algarve program had almost 319 million euros in funds distributed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), with 140 million going to companies.

This European aid was approved in 2014 and included in the national funding programming process for the period 2014-2020, in accordance with the guidelines defined by the Portuguese Government.