Fundación Rei Afonso Henriques

Cross-border cooperation in the Douro basin

Fundación Rei Afonso Henriques (FRAH) is a private institution with public-sector participation, established by public deed on February 7, 1994. Its goal is to promote cooperation between Spain and Portugal in the Douro River basin, with particular attention to border areas between Castile and León and Portugal. It has locations in Zamora, Spain, and Bragança, Portugal.

Institutional recognition

• Registered in Spain's Foundation Registry under Order No. 26379, dated October 31, 1994, and published in the Official State Gazette on November 29, 1994.
• Recognized in Portugal as a Pessoa Coletiva de Utilidade Pública by an order of the prime minister published in the Diário da República, Series II, No. 29, on February 4, 1999.
• Granted the High Patronage of the President of Portugal on July 25, 1995.

Board of trustees

The board is the foundation's highest authority and includes public and private organizations from Spain and Portugal. Members include the Provincial Government of Zamora, Zamora City Council, Bragança Municipal Council, the Government of Castile and León, Caja Rural de Zamora, the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, CEOE-Cepyme Zamora, and the Official Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Zamora.

Programs and facilities

The foundation runs its own programs, hosts events organized by its trustees and other groups, and provides institutional and educational services. It also takes part in economic and cultural cooperation projects. Its areas of work include:

• Europe Direct Zamora Center
• Spanish and Portuguese examination center
• Meeting and conference center
• Project office
• Territorial Cooperation Office
• Cultural and educational programs through the Instituto Rei Afonso Henriques
• Library and documentation center
• Cross-border socioeconomic development

Locations and contact

Spain: Avenida del Nazareno de San Frontis, no number, 49027 Zamora. Phone: +34 980 53 50 52. Email: dirgral@frah.es.

Portugal: 46 Rua Eng. José Beça, 5300-034 Bragança. Phone: +351 273 332 236. Email: portugal@frah.es.

Other emails: actividades@frah.es, centroidiomas@frah.es, and centroexamenes@frah.es.

History

The Zamora location occupies the former Convento de San Francisco extra-Pontem, donated by the Provincial Government of Zamora and restored with support from the Government of Castile and León and the European Union's INTERREG II program. It opened on October 31, 1998.