HIGHLIGHTS
Young Azoreans winners of the i9.Açores in entrepreneurship mission in Barcelona
Azorean students winning the I9.Açores - Youth Academy of Innovative Ideas 2025 regional contest today end an entrepreneurship mission in Barcelona, Spain.
This mission started on Thursday, September 4, and aimed to enable the contact of young students with different entrepreneurial realities, as well as including a pedagogical aspect, which allowed them to know entrepreneurs and local projects, and a cultural component, through the visit to some of the city's main sights.
During the entrepreneurship mission participants visited Dfactory Barcelona, one of Europe's biggest hubs of technology and innovation, where students have had the opportunity to understand how cutting -edge projects are shaping the future in areas such as artificial intelligence, 3D and robotics.
followed a visit to Estrella Damm, a historic brand with over 145 years of tradition, where participants have discovered how tradition and authenticity can walk side by side with innovation and internationalization. A living lesson on brand identity and consistency over time.
At TBS Education, an international school that forms leaders with global vision, students and teachers have had direct contact with a different way of thinking of education, where internationalization, creativity and preparation for future challenges are at the center of academic experience.
The cultural program also included tours through the Gothic neighborhood, Las Ramblas, Park Güell and Sagrada Familia.
In this mission participated Azorean students and their teachers who were part of the 2024/2025 edition of the Entrepreneur Academy, through which they were selected to participate with their innovative ideas and projects in the i9.Açores, which came out winners in the different categories to contest.
From the 2nd cycle of Basic Education participate Miguel Gago da Câmara and Vicente Tavares, accompanied by Professor Guida Medeiros, from the Capelas Integrated Elementary School, in Ponta Delgada, winners of i9.
of the 3rd cycle participates student Pedro Dias and Professor Maria Helena Dias, from Domingos Rebelo Secondary School, in Ponta Delgada, authors of the winning project “CameliaesSencis”.
of secondary education participate in the mission of entrepreneurship in Barcelona the students Iara Silva and Beatriz Teles, guided by Professor Letícia Leal, Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Praia da Vitória - CDIJ Fortis, authors of the winning project “Praia by Boat”.
vocational education participates Tomás Teixeira and Edgar Salvador, accompanied by trainer José Amaral, EPROSEC - Professional School of the Office and Commerce Union of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in Ponta Delgada, who won the respective category in i9.Açores with the project “Fertazor”.
University Education Integrates the Entrepreneurship Mission Student Vasco Lima, from the University of Minho, winner of the i9.Açores with the project “Collective Vulca”.
I9.Açores - Young Academy of Innovative Ideas is promoted by the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth.
This year's edition took place in May, at Praia da Vitória, with the participation of more than 70 young people and 40 business ideas from all the islands of the region. At the opening session, the regional secretary with Youth Guardianship, Maria João Carreiro, announced that those classified first in the different categories of the contest would integrate an entrepreneurship mission with Barcelona.
I9.Açores represents the culmination of the work developed throughout the school year within the Entrepreneurial Academy, in which more than 6,000 of all teaching cycles have participated.
More than 1,200 young people have already received OTLJ Summer 2025 occupation scholarship
The 1,217 young people placed in the “Occupation on Vacation” and “Young Active” Summer Summer subprograms that completed their occupation project at the end of July have already received their occupation scholarships, in total paid by the Azores government of about 252 thousand euros.
Occupation scholarships are processed after the completion of the projects, and the next phase of payment will focus on the projects that started in July, but ending in August, and the projects that began in August.
This year, about two thousand young people saw their candidacy for OTLJ Summer 2025, promoted by the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth.
More than 760 projects presented by entities of the nine islands of the region were approved, 86% of which for the “vacation occupation” subprogram, in which 93% of young people with approved applications were placed.
In global terms, 95% of young people were placed in one of the subprograms of their interest - “vacation occupation”, “active young people” and “summer in occupation” - and indicated when the candidacy took place from March 1 to April 30.
Since 2023, more than six thousand young people have been placed at the OTLJ, which confirms the interest of young people in the occupation projects during the school holidays.
Last January was published the new OTLJ regulation.
OTLJ Regulations had not been reviewed in the Azores seven years ago.
The new regulation, in addition to creating the “Summer in Occupation” subprogram, reinforces 20% of the scholarships awarded to young people and extend the one to two months candidates.
You can apply for “vacationing” young people between 14 and 24 years old, resident in the Azores, who attend the 9th grade, or equivalent, or secondary education, while “young active young people” can apply residents in the Azores from 15 to 24 years old in projects promoted by IPSS.
Projects framed in each of these two subprograms last 20 business days in July and August, and may not exceed five hours a day.
Young people is awarded a three euros bag per hour, totaling up to 207 monthly.
The new “Summer in Occupation” subprogram is intended for young people residents of the Azores, from 16 to 24 years old, who attend secondary, general or professional education, or higher education, undergraduate or master's courses.
Projects take place between July and August, totaling 35 business days, starting until the 5th business day of July, in a maximum of 20 hours per week, not exceeding 5 hours daily.
Young people is assigned a purse of four euros per hour, which can total, if the young man meets all his occupation, a bag worth 560 euros.
“Returns the house” with more than 2,170 approved applications
More than 2,170 young Azorean students displaced from their island of residence to attend an educational establishment have already approved their candidacies to the “returns home” of the “+ Young” package, implemented by the Azores government, through the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment.
Of the total young students with applications approved to this unprecedented measure in the Azores, created in July 2024, more than 85% have already received the payment of the supports for the school years 23/24 and 24/25, in an investment of over 184 thousand euros.
Through the “returns the house” measure, young students dislocated benefit from the payment of two trips rounds and return per year, between their island of residence and the place of the school they are attending.
They are also considered for the purpose of supporting young people between an island other than their residence and the territory where the educational establishment is situated, in cases of absence of direct flight or residence of one of its parents.
Support for each trip, in the maximum amount of 99 €, includes expenses with the purchase of a basement baggage and with penalties for change of travel dates, when not included in the ticket.
You can apply for this measure young students over the age of 26, with fiscal residence in the Azores and attending level 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7 or 8 courses of the national qualifications in an educational establishment outside its island of residence, including another Azores Island, Portuguese continent or wood.
The Mobility Scholarship is awarded, per year, for trips that take place between September 1 and July 31.
Applications must be formalized on the Youth Portal, in youth.Azores.gov.pt , from 1 from September 15, pursuant to
Regional Secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, underlines the “innovative character of this measure” in the scope of public support measures and azorean youth, praising the fact that it is integrated in a “broad package of measures aimed at supporting studies and valuing their qualification and training, creating conditions for their fixation Azores ”.
The “returns the house-support for the mobility of the young displaced students” is part of the “+ Young” package, an initiative of the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition government created by
Network applications open - Regional Youth Volunteer Network
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=19131346
Applications to the new Networks Program - Regional Youth Volunteering Network, created and implemented by the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth. Applications take place in an open period on the Azores Youth Portal, available in Youth.Azores.gov.pt. They can apply for a volunteer project within the scope of young networks aged between 15 and 28 years, regardless of the level of education and the professional situation. This program includes two modalities: one “short duration” for one to five days projects, such as the requalification of a housing or the collection of stray animals, among others of a social and community nature; and another “regular” for projects for three to nine months in institutions with permanent activity, such as homes of elderly, disability support associations, among others that have as their object of action those provided for in volunteering. In “short duration” projects, young people benefit from a scholarship that can go from 21 euros to 75 euros, while in "regular" projects the monthly bag can reach 180 euros, a total of 1,620 euros, if the young man meets nine months of volunteering. With a view to the good implementation and execution of this program, the Regional Secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment appeals to the adhesion of entities, such as IPSS, non -profit associations and other, for the presentation of volunteer projects through which young people can participate and make their contribution. “If it is true that youth programs do not live without young people, it is not wrong to say that entities, associations and organizations are essential in the dynamization of these same programs for our young people,” noted Maria João Carreiro, when the presentation of Networks, in June, in the peak slabs. Also according to the holder of the Youth Folder, “with this new program, the Government of the Azores wants to affirm the importance of volunteering for personal, social and community development, through the sharing of knowledge, practices, perspectives and interventions that translate into the acquisition of skills and crucial competences in the formation of young people”.
About two thousand young Azoreans placed on OTLJ Summer 2025 projects
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=19034260
About two thousand young Azoreans with approved candidacies to the OTLJ - Free Time Occupation Program were placed in one of the three subprograms “Occupation on Vacation”, “Young Active” and “Summer in Occupation”. Places should be consulted at the Azores Youth Portal, available in Youth.Azores.gov.pt, and unqualified young people can consult, on the same portal, entities with approved projects and indicate their interest in developing the project in that entity. In all, more than 760 projects presented by entities of the nine islands of the region were approved, 86% of which for the subprogram “Occupation on vacation”, in which 93% of young people with approved candidacies were placed to OTLJ 2025. The newly created “summer in occupation” already ranks second in the preferences of young people, although the number of projects presented by entities falls short of the demand for young people. Of the 90 projects presented by entities, 64 were approved, which allowed the placement of more than 60 young people, from 145 with approved applications. In the “active young” subprogram, 65 young people were placed, from 72 with approved applications, in one of 42 projects presented by entities. Globally, 95% of the young people who presented and saw their candidacy for OTLJ Summer 2025 were placed in one of the three subprograms of their interest and indicated when the candidacy took place from March 1 to April 30. Since 2023, more than six thousand young people have been placed at the OTLJ, which confirms the interest of young people in the occupation projects during the school holidays. Last January was published the new OTLJ Regulation, promoted by the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth. The OTLJ regulation had not been reviewed in the Azores seven years ago. The new regulation, in addition to creating the “Summer in Occupation” subprogram, reinforces 20% of the scholarships awarded to young people and extend the one to two months candidates. You can apply for “vacation” to young people between 14 and 24 years old, resident in the Azores, who attend the 9th grade, or equivalent, or secondary education, while “young actives” can apply residents in the Azores from 15 to 24 years old in projects promoted by IPSS. The projects framed in each of these two subprograms last 20 business days in July and August, and may not exceed five hours a day. Young people are awarded a three euros bag per hour, totaling up to 207 per month. The new subprogram “summer in occupation” is intended for young people residents of the Azores, from 16 to 24 years old, who attend secondary education, general or professional education, or higher education, in undergraduate or master's courses. Projects take place between July and August, a total of 35 business days, starting until the 5th business day of July, a maximum of 20 hours per week, not exceeding 5 hours a day. Young people are attributed a grant worth four euros per hour, which can total, if the young man meets all their occupation, a bag worth 560 euros. In the subprograms workshop to the potential OTLJ prosecutors, which took place in February, Maria João Carreiro highlighted the improvements in the OTLJ to reinforce the attractiveness of this program both for young people or entities, challenging the latter to present projects aligned with the interests of young people. About the “summer in occupation”, the regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment stressed that this subprogram allows us to integrate entities that were excluded from the OTLJ universe, such as private companies, social sector, social communication and cooperatives, “which promotes greater diversity and scope of occupation projects”.
Maria João Carreiro argues that “participatory democracy is not an abstract idea”
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=18901100
The regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment defended today, on the island of São Jorge, that “participatory democracy is not an abstract idea” and that the democratic process “has much to gain from the participation of young people”. In this assumption, the preview of the “Democracy - Regional Plan for Literacy and the Young Democratic Participation” will be submitted “very soon” to the Council of the Government of the Azores for approval, Maria João Carreiro said, followed by the opening period of public consultation by citizens. The ruler, who was speaking at the opening session of the III “Democracy” Seminar, which took place in the Municipal Auditorium of Velas, explained that this regional plan is based on four axes of action and intervention: democratic literacy; principles and electoral system; Promotion of a participatory ecosystem and media education. "It is imperative to sensitize young people to a culture of democratic participation and for the exercise of a responsibility that is all of us, showing them that they also have power outside the ballot box and beyond the electoral periods," he said. Maria João Carreiro stressed that "politics cannot be seen by young people as a distant activity", nor as an exercise that runs out in the vote, which is why "a politics must be made to youth citizenship and lead politics to the lives of young people." As he explained, "democracy does not live on viral content and shares of social networks, but of citizens who recognize in this system of political and social organization the possibility of being, at the same time, promoters and beneficiaries of the rights and duties associated with them." According to the head of the Youth Folder, the Azorean executive is working with a “spirit of commitment and willingness to dialogue with young people” in the sense that they “approach democratic experience”, indicating that, since 2023, more than 2,600 young people have participated in forums, meetings, meetings and participatory activities. At the III “Democracy” Seminar, about 100 young students from the schools of São Jorge Island were able to attend and reflect with the communication of Jorge Botelho Moniz, an associate researcher at IPRI -Nova and Cipes -Lusophone, subordinate to the theme “Representative Democracy and the need to be the voice of citizens”. The round table followed “the individual responsibility of being the voice of a collective: the importance of the representativeness of youth and the community”, with João Machado, a member of the direction of the National Youth Council; Tiago Félix, from the Municipal Council of Youth of Velas; Leoter Viegas, from the president of AIPA; and Jaime Vieira, president of the EBS de Vela Student Association. Eladio Braga, regional youth director, moderated the debate. In the session also played the musicians of the island of São Jorge Diogo “NTK” Teixeira. Participated in the Seminar ”, among others, the mayor of Velas, Luís Silveira, the deputies to the Legislative Assembly of the Azores Paulo Silveira and Maria Isabel Teixeira, the vice president of the EBS of Velas Executive Council, Salomé Nico, and the president of the Executive Council of the São Jorge Island, Dário Fonseca.
Young Azoreans with a new volunteer program in the region
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=18812722
The young Azoreans interested in volunteer actions will have access to the Networks - Regional Youth Volunteering Network, the new program to support youth volunteering in the Azores, today announced the regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment. Maria João Carreiro, who spoke at the Pico's slabs, on Pico Island, during the inaugural session of the script “Youth.Azores - Know Your DRJ!” He explained that the regulation of this new program is being used and will be published shortly in an official newspaper, and the beginning of the candidacy period during June is foreseen. They will be able to be integrated into a young networks project aged between 15 and 28 years, regardless of the level of education and the professional situation. This program includes two modalities: one of “short duration” for projects from 1 to 5 days, such as the requalification of a housing or the collection of stray animals, among others of a social and community nature; and another “regular” for projects for 3 to 9 months in institutions with permanent activity, such as homes of elderly, disability support associations, among others that have as their object of action those provided for in volunteering. In “short duration” projects, young people benefit from a scholarship that can go from 21 euros to 75 euros, while in "regular" projects the monthly bag can reach 180 euros, a total of 1,620 euros, if the young man meets nine months of volunteering. "With this new program, we want to affirm the importance of volunteering for personal, social and community development, through the sharing of knowledge, practices, perspectives and interventions that translate into the acquisition of crucial skills and competences in the formation of young people," explained the youth portfolio holder. With a view to the good implementation and execution of this program, Maria João Carreiro has called on the adhesion of the entities, including the IPSS, non -profit associations and others, “which are absolutely essential for the application of volunteer projects” in which young people will surely want to be integrated and make their contribution. "If it is true that youth programs do not live without young people, it is not wrong to say that entities, associations and organizations are essential in the dynamization of these same programs for our young people," he said. In this assumption, the script “Youth.Azores” will include in their interactive sessions not only young people, but also entities that can present and streamline each of the DRJ's more than 10 programs in areas such as associativism, creativity and innovation, entrepreneurship, mobility, occupation, training or volunteering. "Just as we want to widen youth information and break barriers to its participation in programs, we are aware that this work of information and awareness has to reach entities so that they can, even more number, propose and streamline projects suitable for the interests and expectations of young people," he said. Participated in the inaugural session of the script “Youth.Azores”, which had its debut at the Pico Lajes Basic and Secondary School, among other guests, the vice-mayor of the Pico Lajes, Manuel Pimentel; the mayor of São Roque do Pico, Luís Filipe Silva; the deputy mayor of Madalena, Mário Silva; The President of the Executive Council of the Pico Lajes Basic and Secondary School, José Ferreira, and the regional director of Youth, Eladio Braga.
Government launches script “Youth.Azores” to publicize opportunities for occupation, mobility or volunteering for young people
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=18760575
On Wednesday, June 4, on Pico Island, the script “Youth.Azores-Know Your DRJ!”, Promoted by the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth (DRJ). The purpose of this script is to publicize and present to young Azoreans, through interactive sessions, programs and measures to support associativism, creativity and innovation, entrepreneurship, mobility, occupation of free time, formation or volunteering, for example. The script “Youth.Azores” will travel all the islands of the region. In each island and/or county, in the case of the islands of São Miguel and Third, two distinct sessions will be organized, one for young people and one for public and private entities, including private social solidarity institutions, private law associations and other organizations that may present and streamline projects in different programs and measures. The inaugural session of the “Youth.Azores” script will take place at the Pico Lajes Basic and Secondary School, from 10:30 am, in a joint session for young people and entities. Maria João Carreiro, regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, explains that this initiative is part of a logic of “widening youth information” and “contributing to young people to know and increasingly add to the different programs and measures promoted by the DRJ”. "Our goal is to bring information to young people from an incentive and encouragement of participation in different programs, without forgetting the necessary awareness of entities for project presentation, as some programs are effectively dependent on the availability of entities to welcome and integrate young people," he explained. Also according to the ruler, the script “Youth.Azores” is inspired by the Azores Youth Portal, available in Youth.Ozores.gov.pt, presented in March 2023, and which brought new possibilities for communication and interaction with young Azoreans.
First classifieds of the regional contest i9.Oçores awarded with entrepreneurship mission to Barcelona
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=18672196
The projects ranked first in the different categories of contest i9.Açores - Young Academy of Innovative Ideas will join an entrepreneurship mission to Barcelona, as this week announced the regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro. The fourth edition of I9.Açores, promoted through the Regional Directorate of Youth, started on Monday, in Praia da Vitória, and was attended by more than 70 young people and 40 business ideas from all islands in the region. After two days of ideas, mentoring and evaluation sessions by a jury composed of business sector and regional entrepreneurship, the most innovative and impactful projects were distinguished at each level of education. In the category of the 2nd cycle of basic education, the first place was attributed to the project "Queijadinha Real", from the Integrated Basic School of Chapels. Second place was up to the project "Flaming Wax", from the Velas Basic and Secondary School, and third place was won by the project "Qu'endémicos", from the Northeast Basic and Secondary School. In the 3rd cycle, the project "CameliaesSencis", from Domingos Rebelo Secondary School, got the first place. In second place was the project "Roots of the Earth", from the Integrated Elementary School of Maia, while third place was delivered to the project "Sweet of Flowers", from the Flowers Basic and Secondary School. Honorable mentions were also attributed to the projects "take care and serve", from the House of Water People, and "Special Fashion", from the Calheta Basic and Secondary School. In secondary education, the winning project was "Beach by Boat", from Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Praia da Vitória. Second place was attributed to the project "Including Canyoning", from the Flores Basic and Secondary School, and the third to the project "Muuuu no Pico", from the Pico Lajes Basic and Secondary School. In vocational education, the first place was won by the project "Fertazor", EPROSEC - Professional School of the Office and Commerce Union of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. In second place was the project "Aperinaz & Vilnaz", from Ponte Norte - Ribeira Grande Professional School. The third place was attributed to the projects "Without Shadow", from the Azores Tour Training School, and "Doce Baía", from the Horta Professional School. In higher education, the first place was attributed to the project "Collective Vulca", from the University of Minho. This year, they are part of the I9.Açores Jury Eunice Melo, businesswoman; Avelino Cormonde, founder of Biofontinhas; Joana Saavedra, co -founder of bamboo bicycles; Duarte Pimentel, Terinov Executive Director - Terceira Island Science and Technology Park; and Ricardo Reis, publicist, director and co -founder of Hunt Global. Competition I9.Açores is the culmination of the work developed throughout the school year within the Entrepreneurial Academy, a program that aims to promote entrepreneurial skills in the Azores' youth population, through non-formal education pathways, using the Learning-by-Doing Methodology, traversing educational programs adapted to each level of education and age groups.
Candidates for the new “Digital Youth” program until June 30
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=18650709
The period of applications for the “Young Digital” program, created by the Regional Secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth. Applications should be formalized by the youth, youth and others youth associations with youth activities plan on the Youth Portal in Youth.Azores.gov.pt. The program of the program 1 of the program is intended to support these associations in the acquisition of laptops, software and services for the promotion of short-term training in digital skills, in view of the creation of formative spaces at the headquarters of these associations. Support is attributed in the form of co -finance in 95% of acquisitions, up to a maximum amount of 8,100 euros per association with approved project, which will allow, for example, the acquisition of up to a maximum of 10 laptops with a cost of up to 750 euros each. The program “Young Digital” was presented by Maria João Carreiro, regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, on the day of youth associativism, which is celebrated on April 30. At the celebration, which took place in the Archipelago - Center for Contemporary Arts, in Ribeira Grande, integrated in the II edition of the “Associativism Talks”, the ruler explained the importance of the program. "This program will make an important contribution to opening the headquarters of younger younger associations, which can and should find spaces there for the exercise of citizenship, socialization and learning in areas, such as digital, which are also a challenge from the point of view of good democratic experience, responsible, plural and inclusive participation," he said. In addition to measurement 1, the “Young Digital” program includes another support, this time to finance the dynamization of short -term training units in digital skills for young people. In this case, the support of measurement 2 focuses on each training hour, between 40 and 50 euros, up to a maximum of 2,500.00 euros, and on expenses with computer consumables, support services, maintenance or other indispensable to perform the formations up to a maximum of 250 euros. The period of applications for measure 2 of the “digital young people” will be determined by order of the Regional Secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, to be published in an official newspaper after completing the period of ongoing applications to measure 1. In both measures, the supports of “digital young people” can total 10,850.00 euros per association.
More than 70 young people from basic to university education present innovative ideas in i9.Açores
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=18631749
More than 70 young people today began their participation in the i9.Açores-Young Academy of Innovative Ideas, promoted by the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth, and which runs until Thursday in the auditorium of Ramo Grande, Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island. In total, they are in competition in this 4th edition of i9. More than 40 student business ideas of the 2nd cycle to secondary education, including vocational education and higher education, which deal with areas such as agriculture, tourism, gastronomy, new technologies and artificial intelligence, social solidarity or health and well-being. The proposals result from the work developed during this year's edition of the Entrepreneurial Academy, in which about 2,000 students from all teaching cycles and all islands, 34 schools, four social action entities, 50 teachers and 12 technicians participated. At the opening session of the I9.Açores, the regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment praised the “quality of proposals” and the “responsibility of young people”, since each of the proposals is aligned with at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "The challenges we launched, we could not have had a better answer, which demonstrates that we are working with young people and not just for young people," Maria João Carreiro praised, remembering that the entrepreneurial academy, which culitate with i9. In the total of the four editions, about 6,000 young people have already been part of the Entrepreneurial Academy. Maria João Carreiro explained that this program created by the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition “gives the existing human potential in the Azores”, contributing to the “construction of a confident and active attitude of young people in society”, while enabling them with “skills that are essential for the affirmation of an entrepreneurial profile”. According to the ruler, Praia da Vitória will be this week the “space par excellence of the celebration of talent, creativity, dream, boldness, ambition, competitive spirit, identification of skills and professional vocations”. During the i9.Açores, participants will be able to present their products to the community at I9.Açores, which runs at the Youth Academy of Terceira Island, and benefit from pitching and training with the judges. This year, they are part of the I9.Açores Jury Eunice Melo, businesswoman; Avelino Cormonde, founder of Biofontinhas; Joana Saavedra, co -founder of bamboo bicycles; Duarte Pimentel, Terinov Executive Director - Terceira Island Science and Technology Park; and Ricardo Reis, publicist, director and co -founder of Hunt Global. Those classified with 1st place in each of the categories in contest will join an entrepreneurship mission to Barcelona, similar to the winners of the previous three editions, who visited entrepreneurial ecosystems in Madrid, Lisbon and Coimbra or Aveiro, Porto and Braga. Regional public investment in this edition of the Entrepreneurial Academy and i9.Açores is 150 thousand euros. The regional secretary reiterated that the region “needs critical thinking and the ability to understand and intervene from young people in a time, such as we live in various challenges,” challenging participants to live this experience “in the best possible way, to create memories for life and to leave this contest with the same motivation and winning spirit with which they came to i9.Açores”. Participated in the opening and visit to Fair I9.Açores, among other guests, the mayor of Praia da Vitória, Vânia Ferreira, and the regional director of Youth, Eládio Braga.
Maria João Carreiro announces “digital young people” with over 10,000 euros on support for youth associations
“Young Digital-Local Digital Competency Training Workshops” is the new program of the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth, to support the creation of formative spaces operating in the headquarters of youth associations, or equivalent, announced this Wednesday, in Ribeira Grande, Maria João Carreiro.
According to the Regional Secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, which was spoken at the opening of the II Edition of the “Associativism Talks”, which took place in the Archipelago-Contemporary Arts Center, under the day of youth associativism, the regulation of this new program will be published on Monday, May 5, in an official newspaper, followed by the publication of the orders of applications.
“Digital Young” provides two types of support that can total 10,850.00 euros per association.
Support for co -finance in 95% of the acquisition of portables, software and internet services, which can reach a total of 8,100 euros, and another support to finance the dynamization of short training units in digital skills for young people.
In the case of the latter, the support focuses on each training hour, between 40 and 50 euros, up to a maximum of 2,500.00 euros, and the expenses with computer consumables, support services, maintenance or other indispensable to perform the formations up to a maximum of 250 euros.
may benefit from “digital young people” young people aged 12 to 24, or up to 30 years of age, if they are integrated into social inclusion or reintegration projects, and the youth associations, equivalent, juvenile and others plan of activities for young schools and certified entities, are promoted.
“This program will make an important contribution to opening the headquarters of younger younger associations, which can and should find spaces there for the exercise of citizenship, socialization and learning in areas, such as digital, which are also a challenge from the point of view of good democratic experience, responsible, plural and inclusive participation”, explained Maria João Carreiro.
To stimulate the widest participation of different audiences in the activities of the associations will be created at the Youth of the Azores, available in Youth.Ozores.gov.pt, the “itinerary of associativism,” said the ruler.
Through this “itinerary” the activities of youth associations in the region will be disclosed, “which will surely contribute to greater visibility of these activities and encourage community participation in the life of associations,” he praised.
“The diversity and importance of the activities of the associations deserve to be disclosed and reach even younger. As far as us, the Government of the Azores, can count on our collaboration for this good disclosure,” said Maria João Carreiro.
The Regional Secretary also expressed the recognition of the Government of the Azores to each of the youth associations of the region by the “invaluable merits” and “strategic contribution” for community development, occupation and training of young people, volunteering, creativity and innovation, environmental awareness or for the promotion of human rights.
“Young Associativism in the Azores is alive and recommended,” he has praised, indicating that financing to juvenile association activity increased from about 83,000 euros 2019 to 150,000 euros by 2025, ie double the investment, as a result of the improvements that the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition enrolled in the associative activity incentive system.
During the “associativism talk”, and before the communication “Associativism: From Personal Conviction to Social Mission”, with Rita Saias, former president of the National Youth Council, a tribute was made to Leonardo Sousa, who recently died, with the posthumous delivery of the Diploma de Merit by “excellent contribution given to associativism on the island of promoting activities and work in the development of activities youth, civic participation and community involvement of young people ”.
followed the round table “The Associativism in Youth”, moderated by Sara Oliveira, journalist, with Hugo Medeiros, from the Portuguese Scout Association; Mariana Pedro, from the Portuguese Guides Association; José Carlos Melo, from the National Listening Body; Micaela Pimentel, from Ichtus - Youth Association of Porto Jewish; and Lisandra Silva, from AJIFA - Youth Association of Faial Island.
The “9 Circus Association” and the “Vengagirls” dance group ensured the cultural moments of a meeting that celebrated youth associativism on youth associativism.
Interjovem card holders with travel at 48 euros at Sata Air Azores and 15 euros at Atlânticoline
Interjovem card holders will continue to benefit during this year of special area and sea mobility conditions between the different islands of the archipelago, not paying more than 48 euros on a round trip operated by SATA Air Azores and Only 15 euros on any round trip opened by Atlanticoline.
These special conditions are again guaranteed in 2025 through a program contract between the region and the two companies, signed by the Regional Secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, to comply with discounts on tariffs applied to interjovem card holders, In which it represents “a strong bet on youth mobility”, stresses Maria João Carreiro.
“Investing in mobility is creating the conditions for young people to freely circulate in the region for social, cultural or occupational purposes. The InterJovem Card has contributed greatly to this purpose, the result of public investment in its revitalization. InterJovem is increasingly recognized by young people as well as a discovery and boarding card, ”he values.
In addition to special rates, interjovem holders benefit from the conditions that passengers travel with the Azores tariff at SATA Air Azores - without reserve or luggage contingency.
The investment scheduled for this year in compensation for special rates is 40 thousand euros.
Also through the renewal of the protocol between the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment and the Agency for the Modernization and Quality of Citizen Service - RIAC, I.P. Before 2025, the simplification of the interjovem card acquisition and payment process, which can be paid by MBway, multibanco reference or credit card.
“InterJovem has marked several generations and is marking others, because it is valued in its functionality and suitable for the current reality of young Azoreans”, praises the head of the youth folder, stressing that the interjovem card has more than 100 partners in all islands that guarantee a minimum of 10% discount on the services offered to card holders.
Since the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition government has presented the new interjovem card image and associated new features, such as air travel and sea, the card price has been reduced from 20 euros to the current 10 euros, besides being an app 'has been created not only for acquisition, but also for the georeferencing of partners adhering to Interjovem.
At Christmas time, and considering the flow of young mobility of young people, especially those who are displaced from their island of residence for academic or professional purposes, a special Christmas campaign has been developed, which allows interil air trips to 21 euros round trip and 15 euros only round trip during the month of December, at SATA Air Azores.
Only in the last special Christmas campaign were sold about 300 passages to the interjovem card holders, which means about 26% of the trips sold during the year 2024.
can purchase the Interjovem card, operationalized through the Regional Directorate of Youth, young natural or residents in the Azores, aged 13 to 30, by the amount of 10 euros, and may be purchased in the APP. 'InterJovem Card, available for Android (Google Play) and iOS (app store), or on the site https://www.cartaoterjovem.com/ , having the validity of 1 year.
Young Azoreans with more opportunities to participate in the construction of public youth policies
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=16855157
Young Azoreans today have access to more opportunities to participate in the joint construction of public youth policies, and since 2023 have participated in auscultation forums promoted by the Azores government more than 2,000 young people from all islands in the region, Maria João Carreiro said. The regional secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, which presided over the opening session of the “Sou! Meeting of Youth and Associative Leaders”, on Vitória Beach, Terceira Island, ensured that the Azores government “will continue to do more and more young people to participate in public life”. Among the actions and initiatives promoted by the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition highlighted by the ruler is a study on the state of civic and political participation of young Azoreans, which involved more than 1,100 young people from all islands, or the holding of two democracy seminars, which involved about 300 young people. Since 2023, six Youth Councils of the Azores have been held - the regional government consultation body in Youth; The script “Youth with Voice”, which toured each of the nine islands and involved 400 young people, or the 25.4 Democracy Forum, promoted in partnership with the National Federation of Youth Associations, in Ponta Delgada, in which about 200 young people participated. "We can only create adequate, effective and truly aligned policies with the needs and expectations of young people, if we are able to involve them in the construction of measures they can and should be recipients," he said. Among the challenges in terms of youth democratic participation is the fight against misinformation, fake news and populism, which “behave risks for the exercise of informed, plural and inclusive citizenship,” he said. In view of a joint response to this challenge, the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth, developed this year the project “is on! Inform you, debate and decide ”, co-financed by Erasmus+, Youth, Sport and CES. This project included different initiatives, among which three participatory laboratories and construction by young people of a manifesto that will be presented tomorrow at the end of the meeting with the proposal of actions to combat disinformation and will then be delivered to the region's public decision makers. “We have to be able to assume the burden and responsibility of creating synergies that involve society and the bodies of power, including social communication, formation, information, awareness and involvement of young people in the construction of a healthy society,” said Maria João Carreiro. Participating in the meeting at “Sou On! Youth and Associative Leaders Meeting”, which ends tomorrow at Vitória Beach, about a hundred young people, university professors, communication experts and participatory citizenship, political decision makers and leaders of the Azores Youth Associations. It is recalled that the plan and budget for 2025 proposed by the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition, which will be appreciated and voted next week in the Azorean Parliament, proposes a reinforcement of 10,000 euros in public investment in “participation and youth associativism”, totaling 470 thousand euros next year. The budget proposal for next year for youth ascends to 3.5 million euros, of which 1 million euros for the execution of the "returns home" integrated in the "+ Young" package to attract, retain and fix young talent on each of the archipelago islands.
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