Últimas Notícias
Registration for “Jovem Autonomia” until May 15th
2026-03-31
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
2026-03-23
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”
2026-03-12
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
2026-03-05
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
2026-02-12
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
2026-02-06
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”
2025-12-15
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
2025-12-10
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
2025-11-16
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”.
Interjovem Card holders with interisland air travel for 21 euros during the month of December
2025-11-14
Interjovem Card holders with interisland air travel for 21 euros during the month of December
https://www.cartaointerjovem.com/
By Order from the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, young holders of the Interjovem Card can benefit from inter-island air travel for 21 euros, round trip, or 15 euros, one way, operated by SATA Air Açores.
These values are valid for trips made between December 1st and 31st, as part of the Interjovem Card's special Christmas campaign, a month in which “there is an increase in trips by young students returning to their island of origin”, notes the government official.
"During this period, initiatives related to the Christmas season also proliferate on the different islands. In this sense, the improvement of the advantages offered by the Interjovem Card, during this festive season, contributes to greater mobility of young people between islands", he adds.
Maria João Carreiro explains that “the Interjovem Card offers more mobility to young people”, following the program contract between the Region, Atlânticoline S.A. and SATA Air Açores that allows, among other advantages throughout the year, to create specific commercial campaigns that are more advantageous for young people.
The Interjovem Card is an initiative by the Government of the Azores to promote youth mobility in the archipelago, associated with commercial advantages and discounts, and is aimed at young people born or resident in the Azores, as well as young Azores descendants registered on the “Açorianos no Mundo” platform, aged between 13 and 30.
Since 2021, several improvements and advantages have been implemented to add value to the ownership and use of the Interjovem Card, such as the 20% discount on the Azores Tariff, that is, at most young people pay 48 euros on an inter-island air trip (round trip), with the same booking conditions as the Azores Tariff being guaranteed for the Interjovem Tariff.
The Interjovem Card can be purchased on the website https://www.cartaointerjovem.com or on the new APP for mobile devices, and payment can be made via MBWay or Credit Card, through the RIAC payment platform.
The Interjovem Card, which is promoted through the Regional Youth Directorate, has more than 100 partnerships on all islands in the Region, guaranteeing a minimum of 10% discount on the services offered by partners to Card holders.
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20300443
2025-10-26
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20300443
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20300443
Youth associations registered in the Azorean Register of Youth Associations will be able to access, in 2026, a global amount of financing of 170 thousand euros for the implementation and execution of their activity plans, under the terms of the Dispatch from Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, published today in the Official Journal.
This amount represents an increase of 20 thousand euros in relation to the amount approved for the current year within the scope of the Support Program for Activity Plans of the Incentive System for the Development of Youth Associative Activity (SIDAAJ).
Applications must be submitted using an electronic form available on the portal juventude.azores.gov.pt, from November 1st to December 15th, for youth associations, and from November 1st to January 15th, 2026, for student associations.
“The financing available for next year expands the material conditions and resources so that each youth association can achieve more, with more quality and with even more impact”, highlights Maria João Carreiro.
The Regional Secretary reaffirms the commitment of the Government of the Azores to “strengthening the youth association movement”, highlighting that youth associations develop an “essential mission not only for the defense and affirmation of the interests of young people, but also for the training and qualification of young people themselves to exercise active and constructive citizenship, that is, a citizenship that wants to be part of the solution and not just watch the challenges”.
The publication of the Order that establishes the maximum amount of financing for the activities of young associations takes place at output of InterAj - Training Workshop for Youth Associations, which took place from the 24th to the 26th of October, on the island of Faial, bringing together more than 50 association leaders and representatives of youth associations.
This annual meeting of youth associations, promoted through the Regional Youth Directorate, had as its theme for reflection “Associative Leadership and Sustainability”.
During InterAj, participants had the opportunity to participate in workshops on “Administrative and Financial Management in Youth Associations”, “Leadership and Development Strategies for Youth Associations” and “Innovation in Youth Associations”.
The new SIDAAJ, regulated in 2023 by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government, includes more financing, more eligible expenses and more time for applications, in addition to providing for the financing of projects co-organized by two or three associations and biannual financing for projects lasting two years.
More than 750 children and young people join the Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders
2025-10-22
More than 750 children and young people join the Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20247254
More than 750 Azorean children and young people are registered in the 2025/2026 edition of the Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders, said this Tuesday, at the Ilha Graciosa Cultural Center, in Santa Cruz, the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro. At the opening of the 5th edition of this non-formal education program for children and young people of school age for entrepreneurship, promoted through the Regional Youth Directorate, the governor confirmed that among those enrolled are students from all education cycles, including Professional Education, from more than 40 entities, such as schools, IPSS and the Ponta Delgada Prison. The number of participants could also increase, due to the start of the university edition of this program and its extension to young inmates at the Angra do Heroísmo Prison, whose protocol for its implementation should be signed soon, he said. “The Entrepreneurial Academy is a program that believes that the new generations will be able to make things happen, instead of waiting for things to happen”, praised Maria João Carreiro, highlighting that “the personal and social circumstances of each young person are not and cannot be a fatality, but rather an opportunity for transformation, growth and integration”, she argued. Since the 2021/2022 academic year, more than 6,000 young people from all the islands and 142 technical insertion teachers have participated in the four editions of Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes, “which leads us to believe that this program is already a milestone among young Azoreans”, he praised. During the academic year, participants at Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes develop a training program in skills for entrepreneurship appropriate to their level of education and aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN). Among the activities carried out are initiatives such as “Empreendedor Por Um Dia”, “Mercadinhos de Natal” and the “Local Ideas Competition”, which stamps the passport of the winning teams for the I9.Açores – Academia Jovem de Ideias Inovadoras. "The journey of this Academy tells us that each of the participants carries an idea, a dream, a desire to do something new. This is what entrepreneurship seeks to awaken: the confidence that it is possible to create one's own path, even with uncertainty", he praised. Maria João Carreiro therefore expressed confidence in “another successful edition that will leave seeds, concerns and a confident attitude among the participants”, remembering 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 opening a business: it is having attitude, creativity and courage to do things differently, to generate impact and contribute to a better society”, he stressed. Participating in the opening session of the 2025/2026 edition of Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes were the Mayor of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, António Reis, the deputy to the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, Adolfo Vasconcelos, and the Regional Director of Youth (DRJ), Eládio Braga. The session, which started with two musical moments with Artistic Education students from Escola Secundária da Graciosa, Afonso Albuquerque and Íris Olaio, also included a conversation, moderated by DRJ, with former participants from Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes Rita Gil, Íris Olaio and Luana Veiga. The Academia Empreendedora program, in which the Region invests around 150 thousand euros annually, includes two subprograms. Academia Empreendedora – Escola de Líderes covers all educational cycles, from the 1st cycle to Secondary Education, through Professional Education, IPSS and Higher Education, with a university edition, with the program being suitable for each level of education and aligned with 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Entrepreneurial Academy – Activate Your Potential is aimed at the young population incarcerated in Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroísmo Prisons.
InterAj 2025 – Training Workshop for Youth Associations from October 24th to 26th on the island of Faial
2025-10-15
InterAj 2025 – Training Workshop for Youth Associations from October 24th to 26th on the island of Faial
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=20172830
More than 50 association leaders and representatives of youth associations in the Region will gather at InterAj 2025 – Training Workshop for Youth Associations, from October 24th to 26th, at the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Center, on the island of Faial. This annual initiative promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, provides an opportunity for youth dialogue and reflection on the challenges and opportunities of youth associations, with this year's theme being “Associative Leadership and Sustainability”. InterAj 2025 kicks off on Friday, October 24th, with the opening session, chaired by the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, followed by the panel “Associativism: the challenges of leadership and the drive for success”, moderated by Mariana Marques, General Director of the YUPI Association. Participating in this panel are Eládio Braga, Regional Youth Director; Ricardo Sousa, President of the Board of Directors of Cooperativa Synergia Portugal; Maria Marques, Trainer and Consultant in Project Management and Financial Management; and António Gomes, Director of the Check-in Association and President of Cooperativa Compacting. On the second day of InterAj's work, association leaders and representatives of youth associations in the Region will participate in workshops on “Administrative and Financial Management in Youth Associations”, “Leadership and Development Strategies for Youth Associations” and “Innovation in Youth Associations”. The program also includes sessions to present financing programs and the working session “Participation and Collaboration in Youth Associations”, with Gustavo Briz, educator and trainer in national and international public and youth participation, as well as the presentation of the conclusions of this regional meeting. InterAj is an annual event to support and dialogue with young Azoreans, through their representative associations, assuming added importance for the exchange of experiences and the training of youth association leaders in the Region.
Young Azoreans winners of the i9.Açores in entrepreneurship mission in Barcelona
2025-09-08
Young Azoreans winners of the i9.Açores in entrepreneurship mission in Barcelona
https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/news-detail?id=19794403
The Azorean students winning of the I9.Açores - Youth Academy of Innovative Ideas 2025 regional contest now 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 in 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 printing and robotics. This was followed by 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 about education, where internationalization, creativity and preparation for the challenges of the future 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. From the 3rd cycle participates the student Pedro Dias and Professor Maria Helena Dias, from Domingos Rebelo Secondary School, in Ponta Delgada, authors of the winning project “CameliaesSencis”. Secondary education participates 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, from 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 is part of the Entrepreneurship Mission, student Vasco Lima, from the University of Minho, winner of I9.Açores with the “Vulca Collective” project. 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, in Praia da Vitória, with the participation of more than 70 young people and 40 business ideas from all islands in 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 join an entrepreneurship mission to 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
2025-09-01
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.
