At the border between Portugal and Spain lies a unique ecoregion where natural beauty meets environmental fragility. The Serra da Malcata and the Sierra de Gata form a sparsely populated rural area with shared ecological features and common challenges—most notably, the growing risk of devastating wildfires driven by climate change.

This region was selected as a pilot site for the PHOENIX project because of its ecological coherence and the urgent need for coordinated strategies. Both sides of the border suffer from weakened rural economies, fragmented governance, and the increasing impact of climate disruptions such as droughts, heatwaves, and biodiversity loss.

In response, the Gata Malcata pilot sets out to create a cross-border space for collaboration, where institutions, local communities, and land users come together to co-develop solutions for fire mitigation and sustainable land use. The project envisions transforming the landscape into a more resilient mosaic, using traditional agroforestry models and adaptive practices to reduce fire risk and preserve water resources.

The video story produced within the PHOENIX project captures the essence of this collective effort. It documents how local farmers, producers, associations, and institutions began a participatory journey: building trust, sharing knowledge, and taking the first steps toward integrated land management and transboundary governance.

A key component of the pilot is the revival of mosaic landscapes—diverse land-use patterns inspired by traditional rural practices that can act as natural firebreaks and ecological buffers. Alongside, the pilot fosters political and civic engagement, strengthening the capacity of communities to actively shape policies and decisions affecting their environment.

Gata Malcata stands as a powerful example of how democratic innovation, ecological transformation, and cross-border cooperation can converge to address the climate emergency—starting from the peripheries and working toward systemic change.

Video by Davide Salvadori

Dissemination lead: Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli