HIGHLIGHTS
Vencedores do I9.Açores integram missão de empreendedorismo a Madrid
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=22617514
Os projetos classificados em primeiro lugar nas diferentes categorias do concurso I9.Açores – Academia Jovem de Ideias Inovadoras, promovido pela Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego, através da Direção Regional da Juventude (DRJ), vão integrar uma missão de empreendedorismo a Madrid, em Espanha. “Empreender não é apenas abrir um negócio; é ter atitude, criatividade e coragem para fazer diferente, para gerar impacto e contribuir para uma sociedade melhor, razão pela qual decidimos proporcionar esta experiência fora da Região a um ecossistema empreendedor em Madrid, feito de novas tendências, criação, inovação e de exemplos de sucesso que, seguramente, poderão inspirar os jovens”, afirma Maria João Carreiro. A Secretária Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego enaltece a “qualidade das ideias de negócio e propostas de inovação submetidas ao I9.Açores”, concluindo que “existe nos Açores uma geração preparada para criar, empreender e transformar”. A quinta edição do I9.Açores arrancou na segunda-feira, dia 19 de maio, em Santa Cruz da Graciosa, e terminou esta quinta-feira, dia 21, contando com a participação de mais de 95 jovens e 45 ideias de negócio oriundas das escolas da Região. Depois de dois dias para apresentação das ideias à comunidade local na “Feira Empreendedora” e para sessões de mentoria com os participantes, os projetos mais inovadores e impactantes em cada um dos níveis de ensino – do Ensino Básico ao Ensino Secundário, passando pelo Ensino Profissional e pelo Ensino Superior – foram distinguidos por um júri composto por personalidades do setor empresarial e do empreendedorismo regional. Na categoria do 2.º ciclo do Ensino Básico, o 1.º lugar foi atribuído ao projeto “EcoMoldar”, da Escola Básica Integrada de Vila de Capelas. O 2.º lugar coube ao projeto “Estrela Dourada”, da Escola Básica Integrada da Maia, e o 3.º lugar foi conquistado pelo projeto “Ecokids - Aventura Sustentável”, da Escola Básica e Secundária da Madalena. O projeto “Emita cookies”, da Escola Básica Integrada de Lagoa, recebeu uma Menção Honrosa. No 3.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, o projeto “Biopalha: Cogumelos Sustentáveis”, da Escola Básica e Secundária da Graciosa, conquistou o 1.º lugar. Em 2.º lugar ficou o projeto “Aromas da Faneca”, da Escola Básica e Secundária de Santa Maria, enquanto o 3.º lugar foi entregue ao projeto “Azores in a box”, da Escola Secundária Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade. Foi, ainda, atribuída uma Menção Honrosa ao projeto “Anonaí”, da Escola Básica e Integrada de Rabo de Peixe. No Ensino Secundário, o projeto vencedor foi “Mar e Patas”, da Escola Básica e Secundária das Flores. O 2.º lugar foi atribuído ao projeto “Ambitri”, da Escola Básica e Secundária das Lajes do Pico e o 3.º lugar ao projeto “Inhamélicas” da Escola Secundária Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade. O projeto “Okayte”, da Escola Secundária Manuel de Arriaga, foi distinguido com uma Menção Honrosa. No Ensino Profissional, o 1.º lugar foi conquistado pelo projeto “Leite A2A2 sem lactose e queijo fresco aromatizado”, da MEP - Escola Profissional da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Ponta Delgada. Em 2.º lugar ficou o projecto “RaizMat”, da Escola Profissional da Horta, e em 3.º lugar o projeto “Green Gin”, da Ponte Norte - Cooperativa de Ensino e Desenvolvimento da Ribeira Grande, CRL - Escola Profissional da Ribeira Grande. Foi, ainda, atribuída uma Menção Honrosa ao projeto “Carteflow”, do Centro Qualificação dos Açores. No Ensino Superior, o 1.º lugar foi atribuído ao projeto “Bio Spark”, dos alunos universitários Miguel Santos e Samuel Pires Gonçalves. Este ano, integraram o júri do I9.Açores Catarina Ferreira, empreendedora e criadora de conceitos “Louvre Michaelense” e “O Calheta Petiscaria”; Lara Martinho, Administradora e Founder do Azores Book Hotel; Sérgio Nazaré, Chef e proprietário de dois restaurantes na ilha do Faial; Flávio Tiago, Professor Associado com Agregação na Universidade dos Açores e João Pedro Machado, gerente da Filnor, Lda. O Concurso i9.Açores é o culminar do trabalho desenvolvido ao longo do ano letivo no âmbito da Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes, um programa que tem por objetivo a promoção de competências empreendedoras na população juvenil dos Açores, através de percursos formativos de educação não-formal, usando a metodologia learning-by-doing e programas adaptados a cada nível de ensino e faixas etárias.
Governo dos Açores coorganiza 91.ª reunião do Conselho da European Students’ Union de 25 a 31 de maio em Ponta Delgada
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=22608048
Os Açores vão acolher a 91.ª Board Meeting (BM91) da European Student’s Union – organização que representa as associações de estudantes do Ensino Superior de mais de 40 países – juntando em Ponta Delgada, na ilha de São Miguel, mais de 100 dirigentes associativos de 25 a 31 de maio. Este encontro é coorganizado pela Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego, através da Direção Regional da Juventude, e pelo Fórum Académico para a Informação e Representação Externa (FAIRe Portugal), sendo dedicado ao tema “O poder transformador do Ensino Superior nas Regiões Ultraperiféricas”. O programa do BM91 inclui sessões plenárias, grupos de trabalho temáticos, debates políticos e sessões formais de tomada de decisão, durante as quais serão discutidas e votadas resoluções com impacto no setor do ensino superior europeu. Em paralelo, serão organizadas atividades de capacitação e partilha de boas práticas, promovendo o desenvolvimento das competências dos participantes, particularmente nas áreas de participação cívica, representação estudantil e cooperação internacional. Além disso, durante o evento irão decorrer sessões abertas ao público, fortalecendo a ligação com os Açores e promovendo um debate amplo sobre questões estratégicas para o desenvolvimento regional e europeu As sessões abertas irão decorrer no Azoris Royal Garden - Leisure & Conference Hotel, em Ponta Delgada. A primeira sessão aberta, com o tema “Universidade dos Açores – o contributo estratégico para a transformação de uma RUP”, decorre na terça-feira, dia 26, pelas 10h15. Artur Lima, Vice-Presidente do Governo dos Açores; Susana Mira Leal, Reitora da Universidade dos Açores (UAc); Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, Eurodeputado; e João Soares, Presidente da Associação Académica da Universidade dos Açores (UAc), são os oradores de um painel que será moderado por Teresa Tiago, Professora da UAc. Também a 26 de maio, pelas 15h30, irá decorrer a segunda sessão aberta dedicada ao tema “Formação e Emprego: a captação e retenção de talento numa economia regional”. Renato Medeiros, Diretor Regional de Qualificação Profissional e Emprego; Artul Gil, Vice-reitor da UAc para a Ciência, Inovação e Transferência de Conhecimento; Marco Lopes, Presidente do Conselho Geral da UAc; e Cláudia Luz, da Jolera, são os oradores para esta sessão moderada por Duarte Pimentel, Diretor do Terinov. A terceira sessão está agendada para quinta-feira, dia 27, pelas 9h30, e será dedicada ao “Empreendedorismo e I&D: vantagens competitivas locais numa economia global”. Eládio Braga, Diretor Regional da Juventude; Guilherme Silva, do Grupo Finançor; Bruno Carvalho, da Space Port; Miguel Pombo, da IGNAE; e Nelson Simões, Professor e Investigador na UAc são os oradores de um painel moderado por Adriana Fumi Chim-Miki, Professora da UAc. A sessão de abertura, no dia 26 de maio, pelas 9h30, Azoris Royal Garden, será presidida pela Secretária Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego, Maria João Carreiro. O programa do BM91 inclui, ainda, visitas e atividades culturais na ilha de São Miguel. Durante encontro, será eleito o novo órgão dirigente da ESU, um momento crucial para determinar a liderança e as prioridades da organização para o próximo mandato.
Mais de 90 jovens participam no I9.Açores – Academia Jovem de Ideias Inovadoras
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=22560735
Arrancou hoje em Santa Cruz da Graciosa, na ilha Graciosa, mais uma edição do I9.Açores – Academia Jovem de Ideias Inovadoras, uma iniciativa da Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego, promovida através da Direção Regional da Juventude (DRJ). No total, estão a participar 93 jovens do 2.º e 3.º ciclo do Ensino Básico, do Ensino Secundário, do Ensino Profissional e do Ensino Superior, integrados em 45 equipas que vão apresentar e defender as ideias inovadoras e os projetos de empreendedorismo que construíram e desenvolveram durante o ano letivo 2025/2026 na Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes. Durante esta semana, os jovens participantes, acompanhados por 45 professores, formadores e técnicos, vão ter ainda a possibilidade de expor os seus projetos à comunidade local, na Feira I9.Açores, e de desenvolver treino de ‘pitching’ para apresentação das propostas a concurso. A competição das equipas do 2.º e 3.º ciclos do Ensino Básico vai decorrer na quarta-feira, a partir das 14h00, no Centro Cultural, seguindo-se, na quinta-feira, a partir das 9h30, também no Centro Cultural, a competição das equipas dos ensinos Secundário, Profissional e Universitário. A cerimónia de encerramento decorre na quinta-feira, a partir das 15h00, no Centro Cultural. Os projetos serão avaliados por um coletivo de jurados composto por personalidades de reconhecido mérito na vida pública pelos seus percursos académicos e profissionais, designadamente, Flávio Tiago, Professor Associado com Agregação na Universidade dos Açores; Catarina Ferreira, empreendedora e criadora dos conceitos “Louvre Michaelense” e “O Calheta Petiscaria”; Lara Martinho, administradora e fundadora do “Azores Book Hotel”; Sérgio Nazaré, Chef e proprietário do restaurante “Cantinho da Praça”; e João Machado, gerente da Filnor, Lda. A Academia Empreendedora é um programa de educação não formal de crianças e jovens em idade escolar para o empreendedorismo e culmina com o I9.Açores, no qual estão representados os projetos de empreendedorismo eleitos localmente nas escolas e instituições participantes. Durante a apresentação da 5.ª edição da Academia Empreendedora, que ocorreu também em Santa Cruz da Graciosa, em outubro de 2025, a Secretária Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego, Maria João Carreiro, sublinhou a forte adesão a um programa que contribui para a construção de uma atitude confiante e ativa dos jovens na sociedade e pelo qual já passaram, desde 2021, mais de 6.000 jovens de todas as ilhas da Região.
Governo Regional leva programas de juventude, qualificação e emprego à Feira da Indústria, Comércio e Serviços dos Açores – FICSA
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=22407438
A Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego (SRJHE) vai marcar presença institucional na próxima edição da Feira da Indústria, Comércio e Serviços dos Açores – FICSA 2026, que decorre de 8 a 14 de maio, nas Portas do Mar, em Ponta Delgada, numa organização anual da Câmara do Comércio e Indústria de Ponta Delgada. Esta participação institucional será dinamizada através da Direção Regional de Qualificação Profissional e Emprego e da Direção Regional da Juventude e pretende “reforçar junto dos cidadãos a divulgação das políticas públicas de juventude, formação, emprego e valorização das competências na Região”, explica Maria João Carreiro. Segundo a Secretária Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego, o ‘stand’ da SRJHE irá funcionar como um “balcão aberto de atendimento ao público” para esclarecimentos sobre medidas de estágios, de apoios à contratação e à requalificação profissional, bem como ofertas formativas na Região ou programas de mobilidade ou voluntariado jovem. “O nosso objetivo com esta participação é aproximar os cidadãos e as empresas dos incentivos e oportunidades de qualificação, formação e empregabilidade que existem nos Açores, estimulando os jovens e os trabalhadores para o desenvolvimento de uma cultura de investimento pessoal na sua formação e competências”, afirma a governante. O ‘stand’ da SRJHE vai estar integrado no “Espaço Qualificações” da FICSA e conta ainda com um segmento para promoção do Ensino Profissional nas Escolas Profissionais, integrado na campanha “A Tua Primeira Escolha”, que é promovida anualmente pela SRJHE para sensibilizar os jovens em idade escolar para as oportunidades desta via de ensino e para o período de candidaturas aos cursos em oferta nas Escolas Profissionais. Durante a FICSA, cuja edição deste ano é dedicada ao emprego e às qualificações, vai ser apresentada a oferta formativa para o ciclo de estudos 2026-2029 nas 16 Escolas Profissionais da Região e no Centro de Qualificação dos Açores. Diariamente, serão ainda dinamizadas no ‘stand’ da SRJHE sessões “A Tua Primeira Escolha LAB – À Descoberta das Profissões”, com demonstrações ao vivo e interativas de profissões e áreas profissionais com formandos de Escolas Profissionais dos Açores. “Ao verem de perto como se trabalha ou o que se aprende numa determinada área profissional, os jovens conseguem compreender melhor o que cada percurso envolve e identificar afinidades que muitas vezes não descobririam apenas através da teoria. Estas demonstrações são importantes para ajudá-los a tomar decisões mais informadas e alinhadas com os seus interesses”, defende Maria João Carreiro. A programação das sessões “A Tua Primeira Escolha LAB” pode ser consultada nas páginas “Qualificação Profissional e Emprego Açores” e “Juventude Açores” no Facebook. A FICSA, que se realiza anualmente durante as Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, conta este ano com 122 ‘stands’ empresariais e 56 de artesanato, através do Centro de Artesanato e Design dos Açores, da Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego.
Government of the Azores reinforces investment in screening and vocational and professional guidance for young people of school age
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=22092070
The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment announced today the reinforcement of investment by the Government of the Azores in the screening and vocational and professional guidance of young people of school age, in line with the strategic proposal of the Regional Agenda for Professional Qualification (ARQP) – Valuing the Azoreans - Azores 2030. Maria João Carreiro, who was speaking at the closing session of the “Qualifications 2036” seminar, promoted by the Economic and Social Council of the Azores - CESA, in Ponta Delgada, anticipated a reinforced centrality of the Vocational and Professional Guidance Office - GOVP, created in 2022, among young Azoreans of school age. “Through the GOVP, the vocational and professional screening and guidance sessions for young people of school age will be reinforced and deepened, making them aware of the preparation of an individual professional project, an essential step to prevent these young people from entering the NEET situation”, he explained. As the government official announced this Tuesday, at a press conference to present the interim results of the ARQP, the rate of young NEETs in the Azores went from 19.3% in 2020 to 12.1% in 2024, when the target for 2025 set in the ARQP was 15%, which represents a “very positive evolution” for the Region. The ARQP sets, among other objectives, the implementation of measures and actions to reduce the rate of young NEETs, through new models of early vocational guidance. “From the first years of school age, young Azoreans today have access to more articulated Youth [Regional Directorate for Youth] and Qualification [Regional Directorate for Professional Qualification and Employment] measures, which are opportunities for vocational screening and socio-professional integration”, he praised. Through GOVP, which “has been essential” to work on personalized qualification and employment responses for young NEETs, the long-term unemployed and other groups in greater need of support, 2,415 individualized interactions and 420 group sessions have already been developed with registered unemployed people. Maria João Carreiro also highlighted that public qualification and employment policies “operate today in a profoundly different context than five, 10, 15 or 20 years ago”, signaling that the Region has seen its young population between 15 and 34 years of age decrease by more than a quarter, going from 78,469 to 57,434 people. “There are fewer young people in the regional demographic structure, longer school journeys and more demanding transitions between education and work”, he found. In a context in which early abandonment of education and training has fallen sharply in relation to the levels of 20 years ago, the Region today records historic highs in the employed population and historic lows in the unemployed population, he highlighted. According to the Regional Secretary, the Region “has moved from a model heavily based on occupational measures and precarious employment relationships, to a model increasingly focused on qualification, stable hiring and quality of employment”, in response to the cyclical and structural challenges of training and employment that still persist. Since 2021, of the more than 7,200 placements in hiring support, 4,892 have benefited young people, 87% of whom have permanent contracts. “The expression of the change in the profile of supported hiring is unequivocal: if in 2017 only 1.1% of placements corresponded to permanent contracts, in 2025 this figure will reach 100%”, he concluded. Maria João Carreiro also considered that the CESA initiative “Articulated Public Action in Education and Professional Training aimed at a public susceptible to weaknesses” reinforces the importance of the path that the Region has been following since 2021, in a process for which the Government of the Azores counts on the contribution and participation of CESA.
Registration for “Jovem Autonomia” until May 15th
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=21985424
Registration is open for the “Jovem Autonomia” program, promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Youth Directorate, to raise awareness among the young public and bring them closer to the identity marks and symbols of Regional Autonomy, through the played and sung version of the Anthem of the Azores. Applications must be made by May 15th, inclusive, through the Youth Portal, at youth.azores.gov.pt, in accordance with the Order of the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, published in the Official Journal. Young people born and/or residing in the Azores, aged between six and 35 years old on the date of application submission, can apply for “Young Autonomy”. Non-profit collective entities and informal groups of young people can also register for this competition, to choose the best interpretation of the Anthem of the Azores in different age groups, whose participants must be grouped by age groups between six and 12 years of age, inclusive (Echelon 1), between 13 and 17 years of age, inclusive (Echelon 2) and between 18 and 35 years of age, inclusive (Echelon 3). The interpretation of the Anthem of the Azores is permitted, in an individual or collective version, played and sung, or in an a cappella version, or in a version sung over a recorded instrumental background of the accompaniment, submitted through a file in .avi, .mp4 or .mkv format, as determined by the Program Regulations, to which the melody score and the text of the Anthem of the Azores, adopted in 1979 and 1980, respectively, are attached. The winning applications are awarded a prize of 200 euros, in the case of Level 1, 300 euros for Level 2 and 500 euros for the winning application in Level 3. The jury includes Ana Paula Andrade, who presides, Victor Rui Dores, Gualter Silva, Diogo Teixeira and Luís Martins. The winners will be announced on the Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, on May 25th, on the Youth Portal, at youth.azores.gov.pt. Since 2021, 27 applications have been submitted to “Jovem Autonomia”, individual and collective, winning the title of best interpretation for the interpretations of the Student University of the Azores – Paulo Silva and Rodrigo Furtado (Honorable Mention) in 2021; the Ponta Garça Children's and Youth Choir, in 2022; and Bruno Mestre Costa, in 2023. In 2025, the Academia de Música da Ribeira Grande won in levels 1 and 2. Flávia Câmara won in Level 3, with an Honorable Mention being awarded to the candidacy of the Cerebral Palsy Association of São Miguel.
More than a hundred young people from the Azores and Madeira at the Young Volunteer Academy
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=21905040
Since 2021, a total of 120 young people from the Azores and Madeira have participated in the Young Volunteer Academy, a program common to the two autonomous regions to promote the participation of young people in volunteering projects in the neighboring archipelago and implemented in the Azores by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth. Of the total participants, 61 are residents of the Azores and 59 residents of Madeira. The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment emphasizes that membership indicates that “this program is of interest to young people in both regions, for what it represents in terms of exchange and opportunities for participation in society and the exercise of active citizenship”. On this assumption, and following the evaluation of the program's implementation, the Regional Government has just reinforced support for young Azoreans integrated into volunteer projects in Madeira, to “guarantee more attractive conditions for participation”, explains Maria João Carreiro. Among the improvements to the regulations of the Young Volunteer Academy, enshrined in an Ordinance published in the Official Journal, is the reinforcement of the support grant awarded by the Government of the Azores to young Azoreans volunteering in Madeira, which is now 500 euros/month, which means an increase of 100 euros in relation to the grant set in 2022. Young Azoreans will also benefit from support for transfer costs between the airport and accommodation in Madeira, and vice versa, maintaining, among others, full support for round-trip travel between the Azores and Madeira, as well as personal accident insurance. Accommodation during the volunteer project is provided by the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Volunteer projects under the Young Volunteer Academy program last for one month, between April and November, always starting at the beginning of each month. Applications from young people and entities promoting volunteer projects take place throughout the year on the Youth Portal, available at youth.azores.gov.pt. Young people aged between 18 and 30, at the time of the start of the volunteer project, residing in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, can participate in the program. Also for young people residing in Madeira volunteering in the Azores, the Government of the Azores, through the Ordinance now published, ensures not only accommodation but also support for land transport between the place of residence and the place where the project takes place, as well as support for transfers on the airport/accommodation route, and vice versa, and socio-cultural integration activities.
Government of the Azores invests more than half a million euros in a program that encourages “young people’s confidence in their ability to dream, create and generate impact”
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=21790540
Since the 2021/2022 academic year, the Government of the Azores has already invested more than 500 thousand euros in Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes, whose edition will culminate with I9.Açores – Academia Jovem de Ideias Innovadoras, on May 18th and 21st, on Graciosa Island, announces the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth (DRJ). Maria João Carreiro highlights the “success of this program” of training children and young people of school age in skills for entrepreneurship, pointing out that in the 2025/2026 edition, 33 schools are registered, from Basic Education, Secondary Education, Professional Schools, and two IPSS, involving around a thousand participants, 63 technicians and teachers, from eight islands in the Azores. “The Entrepreneurial Academy is a program that believes that new generations will be able to make things happen, instead of waiting for things to happen”, highlights the Regional Secretary of Youth, Housing and Employment, explaining that this program was created to encourage the protagonism of children and young people, offer practical tools and develop essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, project management and innovation. “Entrepreneurship is not just about opening a business: it is about having attitude, creativity and courage to do things differently, to generate impact and contribute to a better society”, he highlights. Among the activities carried out during the Entrepreneurial Academy are initiatives such as “Entrepreneur for a Day”, “Christmas Markets” and the “Local Ideas Competition”, which is running until March 20th and which stamps the passport of the winning teams for the I9.Açores – Young Academy of Innovative Ideas. The Academia Empreendedora program, which is implemented through DRJ and is in its fifth edition, includes two subprograms. The Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders, created by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government covers all education cycles, from the 1st cycle to high school, through Professional Education, IPSS and Higher Education, with a university edition, with a program suitable for each level of education and aligned with 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Entrepreneurial Academy – Activate Your Potential is aimed at the young population incarcerated in Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroísmo Prisons.
Registration for OTLJ Summer 2026 subprograms until April 30
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=21717875
Registration for the summer 2026 edition of the subprograms “Ocupação em Férias”, “Verão em Ocupação” and “Jovens Ativos” of the OTLJ, promoted by the Regional Secretariat of Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate of Youth, is open until April 30th. Registration takes place simultaneously for young people and entities promoting the projects and must be made on the Youth Portal, at juventude.azores.gov.br . Young people between 14 and 24 years of age, residing in the Azores, who are studying the 9th year of schooling, or equivalent, or high school, can apply for the “Vacation Occupation” program. The projects included in this subprogram last 20 working days, in the months of July and August, and cannot exceed five hours per day. Young people are granted a grant of three euros per hour of employment, for a total of up to 207 euros per month. The new subprogram “Verão em Ocupação”, created in 2025, is aimed at young people residing in the Azores, aged 16 to 24, who attend Secondary Education, General or Professional Education, or Higher Education. The projects take place between July and August, for a total of 35 working days, starting on the 5th working day of July, for a maximum of 20 hours per week, not exceeding 5 hours per day. Young people are awarded a grant worth four euros per hour, which can total, if the young person completes their entire occupation, a grant worth 560 euros. The “Jovens Ativos” subprogram is aimed at young people living in the Azores, aged 15 to 24, in situations of social vulnerability and integrated into inclusion projects promoted by IPSS. The projects last 20 working days and take place in July or August, and cannot exceed five hours per day. Young people placed in this subprogram are granted a grant worth three euros per effective hour of employment, for a total of up to 207 per month. In January 2025, the new OTLJ regulations were published. Following the review promoted by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition Government to a regulation that had not been updated for seven years, the support grants were increased by 20%, the application deadline was extended from one to two months, the “Summer in Occupation” was created and more promoting entities were included for a greater offer and diversification of free-time occupation projects for young people living in the Azores during the summer months. All information about OTLJ available for consultation on the Youth Portal.
Government of the Azores has already supported more than 125 creativity and young talent projects in an investment of more than 263 thousand euros
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=21486478
The Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Youth Directorate, has already supported more than 125 projects within the scope of the AECT – Support Program for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Young Talent, in an investment of more than R$ 263 thousand. According to Maria João Carreiro, the “expressive adherence” to the AECT, created in 2023 by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government, confirms the “scope of this financial instrument to support young people’s initiative and entrepreneurship” in the creative and performing arts areas. “AECT is a program to stimulate the entrepreneurial capacity and initiative of young people in creative areas, which is why it provides different support for different projects, from artistic residencies to small projects that need an initial boost, through high potential projects to training”, highlights the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment. The AECT includes, among others, the START, IMPACT and REART measures whose registrations are in progress and must be made on the Youth Portal, at youth.azores.gov.br. The START measure, for which registrations are due until February 28th, aims to support the implementation of small projects in the areas of entrepreneurship and youth creativity, which contribute to the initial impetus for youth creation and innovation. Approved projects must begin in the 2nd half of this year, lasting up to 6 months and global financing of up to R$1,500. The IMPACT measure, for which registrations are due until March 31st, is aimed at supporting creative and young entrepreneurship initiatives with an impact on the community and/or sustainability potential. The projects, lasting up to 12 months, must begin in the 2nd half of the current year and can benefit from public financing of up to R$5,000. Through the REART measure, innovative projects are supported in the form of short-term artistic residencies, lasting three to five days, in which a maximum of three young people must be integrated per residence. The financing for each project can reach 1,500 euros (100 euros/day, per participant), and the result of this residency must be presented in the local community. Young people born or residing in the Azores between 16 and 30 years of age, informal groups of young people, non-profit entities based in the Region and Casas dos Açores can register for AECT projects, for projects to promote the Azorean identity. Artisans registered at the Azores Crafts and Design Center can register for the REART measure. All information about AECT at youth.azores.gov.br.
Government of the Azores includes artisans in support measure for short-term artistic residencies for young people
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=21432352
The application period for the REART measure – Short-Term Artistic Residencies, implemented by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth (DRJ), within the scope of the AECT – Support Program for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Young Talent, is running until February 28th, inclusive. Applications must be submitted on the Youth Portal, at youth.azores.gov.pt. Private non-profit entities and artisans certified by the Centro de Artesanato e Design dos Açores (CADA) can apply, as was announced this Thursday in a session for artisans promoted by DRJ in partnership with CADA and which took place in the “Azores in a Box” space, in Portas do Mar, in Ponta Delgada, with online transmission to all the islands. The projects, to be carried out between April 1st and November 30th, 2026, must last a minimum of three days and a maximum of five days and involve the participation of a maximum of three young people, between 18 and 30 years of age, for each approved and supported residence project. Under the terms of the Order of the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, published in the Official Journal, this year, a maximum of 10 projects will be approved. Each project can benefit from funding of up to 1,500 euros (100 euros/day, per participant). The objective of the REART measure is to promote and stimulate opportunities for young people living in the Azores to develop skills in different creative areas, exchange and assimilate cultural and artistic experiences, particularly with Azorean artisans and artisanal know-how, and publicly present the result of the creative process to the local community. Created in March 2023 by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government, the AECT – Support Program for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Young Talent aims to promote creative areas in the youth community, through the creation of favorable conditions for the artistic and cultural promotion of young people and, also, fostering their cultural participation, entrepreneurship and initiative. The AECT also integrates the START measures, applications for which are open until February 28th, and IMPACT, with applications open until March 31st, both at youth.azores.gov.pt.
More than 380 young people are already benefiting from the “Cheque-Livro Açores”
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20846956
The Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, has already issued more than 380 “Book Checks” to young people residing in the Azores aged 18, in an approved global investment of 38 thousand euros and more than 390 approved sales. For the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, this is an “expressive” adherence to an unprecedented measure in the Region to “encourage young people to reinforce their portfolio of skills and knowledge through reading and printed books”. Each “Açores Book Check” has a value of 100 euros for the purchase of physical books in bookstores or establishments that sell participating books, and can be used in different purchases and establishments during a period of one year from the date of issuance. Young people's applications for the “Cheque-Livro Açores” must be formalized on the Youth Portal, at loja.azores.gov.pt, between the day the young person turns 18 years old and the day before their 19th birthday. The “Cheque-Livro Açores”, in digital format, is personal and non-transferable. The amount of the book/s purchased with the “Cheque-Livro Açores” is reimbursed by the Regional Government to bookstores, booksellers and establishments selling books that adhere to the measure and that are identified on the Azores Youth portal. Young people residing on islands without entities adhering to the measure can purchase books from intermediary entities, which are responsible for selling digitally and shipping the books. The costs of sending the books are paid directly to the intermediary entities, and are not deducted from the beneficiary's balance of the “Cheque-Livro Açores”. The “Cheque-Livro Açores” is part of the “+Jovem” package, an unprecedented initiative in the Region for young residents, which includes “Regressa a Casa” or the “Salary Enhancement Measure”.
REDES Program with youth volunteering projects in the Region
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20794457
More than 90 young people living in the Azores have already applied to the REDES – Regional Youth Volunteer Network program, with 44 young people having already been placed. Applications for this program from the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, implemented through the Regional Directorate for Youth, take place during an open period for young people and entities at juventude.azores.gov.pt. All young people already placed in REDES opted for regular volunteering projects, lasting three to nine months, in institutions or associations with activities in the areas of culture, social inclusion, sport, environment, health and prevention of risk behaviors, social support for children, young people, the elderly and people with disabilities, animal welfare, among other areas of action. Young people involved in regular volunteering projects are awarded a monthly grant of up to 180 euros, for a total of 1,620 euros, if the young person completes nine months of volunteering. REDES also includes a modality for short-term volunteer projects. In this modality, which includes volunteering to renovate a house or collect animals, for example, projects last from one to five days, for a total of 25 hours. Young people benefit from a support grant totaling between 21 euros and 75 euros. Entities with approved projects, the description of the projects and the number of vacancies are identified and available for consultation at https://juventude.azores.gov.pt/programa/redes/, through which young people interested in volunteering can propose their candidacy. Currently, 21 applications from entities have been approved for 31 vacancies in regular volunteering projects in São Miguel, Pico, Terceira, Graciosa and São Jorge, and nine applications from entities for 31 vacancies in short-term projects in São Miguel, Pico and Terceira. REDES is aimed at young people residing in the Azores, aged between 15 and 28 years old at the date of submission of the application, and aims to promote opportunities for the development of personal and technical skills, as well as for the exercise of active and supportive citizenship in activities that contribute to their communities. Youth associations and youth associations, student associations registered in the Azorean Register of Youth Associations can apply for volunteer projects; public entities; IPSS, sports clubs or other non-governmental and civil society organizations with projects aligned with the program areas. REDES - Regional Youth Volunteer Network was announced in June this year by the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, in Lajes do Pico, on the island of Pico. Maria João Carreiro, on the occasion, explained that the objective of the Government of the Azores with this new program is to “affirm the importance of volunteering for the development and personal, social and civic training of young people”, therefore calling for good adherence and participation by entities in offering volunteer projects that can add value to institutions and young people.
Youth associations in the Azores with public support of more than 816 thousand euros
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20514458
Youth associations registered in the Azorean Register of Youth Associations benefited, between 2024 and 2025, from regional public support in a global amount exceeding 816 thousand euros, said the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, at the inauguration of the management building of the Casa do Escuteiro complex, of the National Listening Corps, in Ponta Delgada. This support, granted within the scope of the Incentive System for the Development of Youth Associative Activity (SIDAAJ), allowed investments in the execution of the activity plans of youth associations, as well as in equipment and headquarters or in additional activities, such as the organization and participation in training activities, stated Maria João Carreiro. “More than proclaiming and evoking the importance of associations, this Government of the Azores works to encourage and awaken the action of youth associations”, he said. The Regional Secretary highlighted the “good example” of the National Scout Corps, which between 2024 and 2025 applied for 84 projects to develop with children and young scouts, whose implementation and execution the Region contributed with an investment of more than 50 thousand euros. To this amount, there are 82 thousand euros in public support, in the same period, for investment in equipment, headquarters and additional activities, as well as the 50 thousand euros allocated through the Regional Youth Directorate for the Casa do Escuteiro, “an infrastructure that symbolizes the commitment to training children and young people to exercise responsible citizenship and committed to collective well-being”, he valued. Currently, 28 youth or similar associations are registered in the Azorean Register of Youth Associations, which means 14 more associations compared to the number registered in 2019. “In the Azores, youth associations are alive and recommended”, praised the Regional Secretary. More than a number, “this growth clearly testifies to the interest and commitment of young people and the confidence in a policy that invites young people to organize themselves around their interests and needs and to participate in the construction of a plural, inclusive and sustainable society”, he said. For 2026, the Government of the Azores increased the global amount of financing available so that youth associations can implement and execute their activity plans. In total, there are 170 thousand euros, which represents an increase of around 90 thousand euros compared to public funding in 2019. In the proposed Plan and Budget for 2026, which will be considered and voted on at the end of this month in the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, proposes to invest two million euros next year “in programs that promote a culture of personal investment by young people in their civic and professional training”.
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”.
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.
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.
EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE FOR YOU
-
Associativism
close
-
Citizenship
close
-
Citizenship
close
-
Digital Transition
close
-
Entrepreneurship
close
-
European Programmes
close
-
Mobility
close
-
Occupation of Free Time
close
-
Other opportunities
close
-
Training
close
-
Volunteering
close
-
Youth Information
close
