The Provincial Council of Tarragona supports IPHES-CERCA to strengthen its role as a driving force for research and the enhancement of the territory’s prehistoric heritage

The Provincial Council of Tarragona has granted a subsidy of 100,000 euros to the Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA) within the framework of its grant programme aimed at research centres that promote projects contributing to territorial development through the acquisition of new scientific and technological knowledge, as well as the generation of new productive or social initiatives with a direct impact at local and supra-municipal levels.

This financial contribution, approved by decree dated 24 November 2025 and corresponding to the call published on 10 June of the same year, enables the continuation and strengthening of the work that IPHES-CERCA has been carrying out consistently in the Camp de Tarragona in the field of prehistoric research, heritage conservation and social knowledge transfer. The project submitted has been considered of high territorial interest due to its capacity to contribute to the management, promotion and revitalisation of prehistoric heritage as a scientific, cultural and socio-economic resource.

A project in the service of the territory and social return

The subsidised initiative forms part of IPHES-CERCA’s consolidated trajectory as a leading centre in prehistoric research, with international projection and a strong territorial roots. The project highlights a model of research oriented towards social return, contributing to territorial cohesion, the strengthening of local identities and the positioning of heritage as a key element for sustainable development.

In this context, the subsidy supports the consolidation and expansion of the “IPHES Network of Municipalities for Research”, a stable collaboration framework with local administrations and territorial stakeholders that facilitates the integration of scientific knowledge into cultural, educational and tourism policies, promoting growth models based on culture, science and heritage.

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the role of prehistoric heritage as a vector for territorial development through research, conservation, management and dissemination actions, adopting a transversal, participatory approach aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Lines of action with territorial impact

The project is structured around several lines of intervention aimed at maximising the social impact of the research carried out by IPHES-CERCA, including:

• Excavation and research at prehistoric sites within the territory, ensuring their preservation, scientific documentation and enhancement in coordination with local councils.
• Support for cultural and tourism facilities through scientific advice, development of interpretative content and improvement of museographic and heritage narratives.
• Development of educational and community activities as tools for dissemination, social cohesion and citizen engagement.
• Promotion of scientific education and encouragement of research vocations, with special attention to vulnerable educational environments and special education centres.

These actions consolidate IPHES-CERCA as a key agent in knowledge transfer and in the revitalisation of prehistoric heritage in the Camp de Tarragona, strengthening the link between research, territory and society.

Institutional support for a strategic endeavour

Through this subsidy, the Provincial Council of Tarragona reaffirms its commitment to fostering research and innovation as essential instruments for territorial development, supporting projects that generate knowledge, promote social and productive initiatives and contribute to enhancing heritage as a cultural, educational and economic resource.

This contribution makes it possible to continue strengthening the work of IPHES-CERCA as an institution committed to high-quality research, deeply rooted in the territory and oriented towards the benefit of citizens.