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Ricardo Gonçalves

Head of Innovation, Investment and Strategic Planning

Municiplaity of Fundão

Fundão, Portugal

After a Law degree and some experience, I’ve led Fundão’s Innovation Strategy, winning the RegioStars Award. I manage teams & projects in EU/national programs.

My organisation

Municiplaity of Fundão

Municiplaity of Fundão

Authority/Government

Fundão, Portugal

Local government in central Portugal, known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic development. Over the past decade, Fundão has implemented an ambitious Innovation Strategy that integrates digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for businesses and talent. Recognized with the RegioStars Award by the European Commission in 2018, the municipality has been actively involved in numerous European and national projects across Horizon Europe, Interreg, and other funding programs. Fundão has developed strong initiatives in AgriTech, Smart Cities, Circular Economy, and Digital Transition, supporting local companies and attracting global investments. With a people-centered approach, it promotes education, talent retention, and green development, ensuring that rural regions actively contribute to Europe’s digital and sustainable transformation.
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About me

am passionate about territorial innovation, economic development, and public policy, working to bridge the gap between urban and rural innovation. With a background in Law, I transitioned into the public sector to contribute to the transformation of my city, Fundão, where I have been leading Fundão’s Innovation Strategy, recognized with the 2018 RegioStars Award by the European Commission.

Over the years, I have managed and participated in dozens of European and national projects across programs like Horizon Europe, Interreg, and Urbact, focusing on Smart Cities, AgriTech, Circular Economy, and Talent Attraction. I have worked with and led multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration between startups, policymakers, and international networks to ensure that smaller communities are not left behind in the digital and green transitions.

My mission is to create sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven ecosystems where people and businesses can thrive, proving that small cities can lead big changes.

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Skills

  • Planning
  • innovation
  • public policies
  • co-creation
  • Funding
  • HorizonEurope
  • eufunds

Interests

  • Mobility
  • Agritech
  • Citiverse
  • Smart Cities
  • SDG
  • VR/AR
  • Metaverse
  • gaming

Marketplace (2)

  • Partnership

    Citiverse

    Citiverse project to build on the smart city strategy, digital twin development and city control center, aligned with global trends.

    Author

    Ricardo Gonçalves

    Head of Innovation, Investment and Strategic Planning at Municiplaity of Fundão

    Fundão, Portugal

  • Product

    OASC Conference 2026

    Participate in OASC Conference 2026, in Fundão! Engage with this global smart cities network and shape the future of urban innovation.

    Author

    Ricardo Gonçalves

    Head of Innovation, Investment and Strategic Planning at Municiplaity of Fundão

    Fundão, Portugal