Presidência do Governo Regional
Governo dos Açores reforça capacidade operacional da Proteção Civil e Bombeiros com entrega de 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático
Governo dos Açores reforça capacidade operacional da Proteção Civil e Bombeiros com entrega de 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Over a hundred young people from Azores and Madeira at Youth Volunteering Academy
Over a hundred young people from Azores and Madeira at Youth Volunteering Academy
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Public consultation on new fisheries regulations in the Azores
Public consultation on new fisheries regulations in the Azores
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Mónica Seidi highlights increased investment in oral health access and prevention
Mónica Seidi highlights increased investment in oral health access and prevention
Nota de Imprensa
March 23, 2026 Governo dos Açores reforça capacidade operacional da Proteção Civil e Bombeiros com entrega de 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático O Presidente do Governo dos Açores, José Manuel Bolieiro, presidiu hoje à entrega de 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático aos corpos de bombeiros dos Açores e ao Serviço Regional de Proteção Civil e Bombeiros dos Açores (SRPCBA), num investimento público regional de 866 mil euros. Na cerimónia, que decorreu no pavilhão da Associação Agrícola de São Miguel, na Ribeira Grande, e na qual participou o Secretário Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática, Alonso Miguel, e o Presidente do SRPCBA, Rui Andrade, o líder do Executivo açoriano destacou a importância deste investimento para o reforço da capacidade operacional da proteção civil e bombeiros. “Estas viaturas, adquiridas com financiamento exclusivo da Região, isto é, sem qualquer cofinanciamento comunitário, o que representa muito para a Região, significam mais um passo firme na valorização dos nossos corpos de bombeiros, nas suas capacidades de resposta, comando e controlo das operações, bem como no seu potencial de organização”, enalteceu. Dos 19 veículos, todos equipados com material específico para a instalação de um posto de comando inicial, 17 foram entregues aos 17 corpos de bombeiros da Região e dois ao SRPCBA, assegurando, assim, “a uniformização dos meios de comando e controlo em todo o arquipélago, bem com padrões operacionais consistentes entre todos os corpos de bombeiros”, explicou. As novas viaturas agora entregues pela Região, cuja atribuição foi baseada em critérios objetivos e na “exigência operacional de cada corpo de bombeiros” para cumprir a sua missão com eficácia e “para benefício das populações e das comunidades em cada uma das ilhas”, explicou. O concurso público para a aquisição destes veículos foi lançado em maio de 2025 pela Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática, através do SRPCBA, no quadro de uma estratégia ampla e consistente de renovação de frotas e reequipamentos dos corpos de bombeiros da Região. O Presidente do Governo lembrou que já foram investidos oito milhões de euros na capacitação da proteção civil e bombeiros, designadamente na aquisição de 14 viaturas vermelhas de combate a incêndios e um reboque multivítimas, num investimento de cerca de 5 milhões de euros; na aquisição de 21 ambulâncias de socorro, num investimento superior a 1,8 milhões de euros; na aquisição de 70 monitores desfibrilhadores para ambulâncias de socorro, num investimento de 770 mil euros, aos quais acresce a aquisição dos 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático. “Este investimento tem uma finalidade: servir as pessoas, e não apenas na reação e resposta à calamidade e ao sinistro, mas sobretudo pela capacidade preventiva e de resiliência”, afirmou. O líder do executivo açoriano lembrou que está a decorrer o concurso público, no valor de cerca de dois milhões de euros, para a aquisição de mais cinco viaturas de combate a incêndios e que em breve serão entregues duas novas viaturas vermelhas aos bombeiros da Horta e da Povoação, ambos os investimentos com cofinanciamento comunitário. Neste Dia Mundial da Meteorologia, José Manuel Bolieiro enalteceu, ainda, a “cooperação mútua” com o IPMA e com a sua representação nos Açores, assinalando que a instalação de novos radares meteorológicos em São Miguel e nas Flores, combinados com o radar da Terceira, contribuem para um maior conhecimento dos fenómenos meteorológicos e para a prevenção também para efeitos de proteção civil. Participaram na cerimónia, entre outros convidados, o Presidência da Câmara Municipal da Ribeira Grande, Jaime Vieira; o Presidente da Federação de Bombeiros dos Açores, José Braia Ferreira; o Presidente da AMRAA, Carlos Ferreira; o Presidente do Conselho de Ilha de São Miguel, Jorge Rita, bem como representantes de autarquias e dos corpos de bombeiros dos Açores.
March 23, 2026 Governo dos Açores reforça capacidade operacional da Proteção Civil e Bombeiros com entrega de 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático O Presidente do Governo dos Açores, José Manuel Bolieiro, presidiu hoje à entrega de 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático aos corpos de bombeiros dos Açores e ao Serviço Regional de Proteção Civil e Bombeiros dos Açores (SRPCBA), num investimento público regional de 866 mil euros. Na cerimónia, que decorreu no pavilhão da Associação Agrícola de São Miguel, na Ribeira Grande, e na qual participou o Secretário Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática, Alonso Miguel, e o Presidente do SRPCBA, Rui Andrade, o líder do Executivo açoriano destacou a importância deste investimento para o reforço da capacidade operacional da proteção civil e bombeiros. “Estas viaturas, adquiridas com financiamento exclusivo da Região, isto é, sem qualquer cofinanciamento comunitário, o que representa muito para a Região, significam mais um passo firme na valorização dos nossos corpos de bombeiros, nas suas capacidades de resposta, comando e controlo das operações, bem como no seu potencial de organização”, enalteceu. Dos 19 veículos, todos equipados com material específico para a instalação de um posto de comando inicial, 17 foram entregues aos 17 corpos de bombeiros da Região e dois ao SRPCBA, assegurando, assim, “a uniformização dos meios de comando e controlo em todo o arquipélago, bem com padrões operacionais consistentes entre todos os corpos de bombeiros”, explicou. As novas viaturas agora entregues pela Região, cuja atribuição foi baseada em critérios objetivos e na “exigência operacional de cada corpo de bombeiros” para cumprir a sua missão com eficácia e “para benefício das populações e das comunidades em cada uma das ilhas”, explicou. O concurso público para a aquisição destes veículos foi lançado em maio de 2025 pela Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática, através do SRPCBA, no quadro de uma estratégia ampla e consistente de renovação de frotas e reequipamentos dos corpos de bombeiros da Região. O Presidente do Governo lembrou que já foram investidos oito milhões de euros na capacitação da proteção civil e bombeiros, designadamente na aquisição de 14 viaturas vermelhas de combate a incêndios e um reboque multivítimas, num investimento de cerca de 5 milhões de euros; na aquisição de 21 ambulâncias de socorro, num investimento superior a 1,8 milhões de euros; na aquisição de 70 monitores desfibrilhadores para ambulâncias de socorro, num investimento de 770 mil euros, aos quais acresce a aquisição dos 19 veículos de Auto Comando Tático. “Este investimento tem uma finalidade: servir as pessoas, e não apenas na reação e resposta à calamidade e ao sinistro, mas sobretudo pela capacidade preventiva e de resiliência”, afirmou. O líder do executivo açoriano lembrou que está a decorrer o concurso público, no valor de cerca de dois milhões de euros, para a aquisição de mais cinco viaturas de combate a incêndios e que em breve serão entregues duas novas viaturas vermelhas aos bombeiros da Horta e da Povoação, ambos os investimentos com cofinanciamento comunitário. Neste Dia Mundial da Meteorologia, José Manuel Bolieiro enalteceu, ainda, a “cooperação mútua” com o IPMA e com a sua representação nos Açores, assinalando que a instalação de novos radares meteorológicos em São Miguel e nas Flores, combinados com o radar da Terceira, contribuem para um maior conhecimento dos fenómenos meteorológicos e para a prevenção também para efeitos de proteção civil. Participaram na cerimónia, entre outros convidados, o Presidência da Câmara Municipal da Ribeira Grande, Jaime Vieira; o Presidente da Federação de Bombeiros dos Açores, José Braia Ferreira; o Presidente da AMRAA, Carlos Ferreira; o Presidente do Conselho de Ilha de São Miguel, Jorge Rita, bem como representantes de autarquias e dos corpos de bombeiros dos Açores.
Nota de Imprensa
March 23, 2026 Over a hundred young people from Azores and Madeira at Youth Volunteering Academy 120 young people from the Azores and Madeira have taken part in the Youth Volunteering Academy since 2021. This is a programme shared by the two autonomous regions designed to encourage young people to get involved in volunteering projects in the neighbouring archipelago. The programme is run in the Azores by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth. The overall number of participants comprises 61 residents of the Azores and 59 residents of Madeira. The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment emphasised that the level of participation indicates that “this programme is of relevance for young people in both regions, considering what it offers in terms of exchange and opportunities for participation in society and the exercise of active citizenship.” Under this assumption, and following an evaluation of the programme’s implementation, the Regional Government has just increased support for young Azoreans participating in volunteering projects in Madeira to “ensure more attractive conditions for participation,” explained Maria João Carreiro. The improvements to the regulations of the Youth Volunteering Academy, enshrined in an Ordinance published in the Official Journal, include the increase in the support grant awarded by the Government of the Azores to young Azoreans volunteering in Madeira, which now stands at €500/month. This represents an increase of €100 compared to the grant stipulated for 2022. Young Azoreans will also now benefit from support for travel expenses between the airport and their accommodation in Madeira, and vice versa, whilst still benefiting from full support for round-trip travel between the Azores and Madeira, in addition to personal accident insurance coverage. Accommodation during the volunteering project is provided by the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Volunteering projects under the Youth Volunteering Academy programme last for one month, between April and November, always starting at the beginning of each month. Applications from young people and organisations promoting volunteering projects are accepted throughout the year on the Youth Portal, available at juventude.azores.gov.pt. Young people aged between 18 and 30 at the beginning of the volunteering project, who are residents in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, are eligible for the programme. For young people living in Madeira who are volunteering in the Azores, the Azorean Government, through the recently published Ordinance, guarantees not only accommodation but also support for ground transport between their place of residence and the project location. It also provides support for transfers between the airport and the place where they will be accommodated, and vice versa, in addition to social and cultural integration activities.
March 23, 2026 Over a hundred young people from Azores and Madeira at Youth Volunteering Academy 120 young people from the Azores and Madeira have taken part in the Youth Volunteering Academy since 2021. This is a programme shared by the two autonomous regions designed to encourage young people to get involved in volunteering projects in the neighbouring archipelago. The programme is run in the Azores by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth. The overall number of participants comprises 61 residents of the Azores and 59 residents of Madeira. The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment emphasised that the level of participation indicates that “this programme is of relevance for young people in both regions, considering what it offers in terms of exchange and opportunities for participation in society and the exercise of active citizenship.” Under this assumption, and following an evaluation of the programme’s implementation, the Regional Government has just increased support for young Azoreans participating in volunteering projects in Madeira to “ensure more attractive conditions for participation,” explained Maria João Carreiro. The improvements to the regulations of the Youth Volunteering Academy, enshrined in an Ordinance published in the Official Journal, include the increase in the support grant awarded by the Government of the Azores to young Azoreans volunteering in Madeira, which now stands at €500/month. This represents an increase of €100 compared to the grant stipulated for 2022. Young Azoreans will also now benefit from support for travel expenses between the airport and their accommodation in Madeira, and vice versa, whilst still benefiting from full support for round-trip travel between the Azores and Madeira, in addition to personal accident insurance coverage. Accommodation during the volunteering project is provided by the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Volunteering projects under the Youth Volunteering Academy programme last for one month, between April and November, always starting at the beginning of each month. Applications from young people and organisations promoting volunteering projects are accepted throughout the year on the Youth Portal, available at juventude.azores.gov.pt. Young people aged between 18 and 30 at the beginning of the volunteering project, who are residents in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, are eligible for the programme. For young people living in Madeira who are volunteering in the Azores, the Azorean Government, through the recently published Ordinance, guarantees not only accommodation but also support for ground transport between their place of residence and the project location. It also provides support for transfers between the airport and the place where they will be accommodated, and vice versa, in addition to social and cultural integration activities.
Nota de Imprensa
March 22, 2026 Public consultation on new fisheries regulations in the Azores The Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries announced the launch of the procedure for drafting two key ordinances for the fisheries sector in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. These include the adoption of new regulations governing the management of fishing ports and harbours, as well as the second amendment to the general regulations governing the operation of fish auctions, cold storage units, collection points and collection vehicles. The initiative seeks to update the current legal framework by replacing Decree No. 24/2018 of March 19, as amended by Decree No. 42/2019 of June 18, with a new regulatory instrument. The procedure was initiated by the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, who also chairs the committee, in accordance with Article 55 of the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), approved by Decree-Law No. 4/2015 of January 7. According to Article 98(1) of the CPA, an opening notice has been published regarding the commencement of the procedure and the associated public consultation; the documents are available at: https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/srmp/participa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-procedimental. Interested parties have 10 working days from the date of publication (March 20) to register as such and submit comments or suggestions. Any interested party wishing to be registered must submit a written declaration addressed to the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, expressly stating the procedure in question, as well as their name, tax identification number and email address (if available), along with consent for the use of said information for notification purposes, in accordance with Article 112(1)(c) of the CPA. Submissions should preferably be emailed to [email protected], but may also be sent by post to Rua Cônsul Dabney – Colónia Alemã, PO Box 9, 9900-014 Horta, Faial, or by fax to +351 292 240 890. Should there be registered interested parties, a hearing of interested parties will subsequently be held, in accordance with Article 100 of the CPA. Once the consultation phase has been completed, the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries will review the contributions received. The final approval of the regulations will be accompanied by a report containing an overview of the submissions received, as well as a comprehensive assessment and the rationale for the options adopted.
March 22, 2026 Public consultation on new fisheries regulations in the Azores The Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries announced the launch of the procedure for drafting two key ordinances for the fisheries sector in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. These include the adoption of new regulations governing the management of fishing ports and harbours, as well as the second amendment to the general regulations governing the operation of fish auctions, cold storage units, collection points and collection vehicles. The initiative seeks to update the current legal framework by replacing Decree No. 24/2018 of March 19, as amended by Decree No. 42/2019 of June 18, with a new regulatory instrument. The procedure was initiated by the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, who also chairs the committee, in accordance with Article 55 of the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), approved by Decree-Law No. 4/2015 of January 7. According to Article 98(1) of the CPA, an opening notice has been published regarding the commencement of the procedure and the associated public consultation; the documents are available at: https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/srmp/participa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-procedimental. Interested parties have 10 working days from the date of publication (March 20) to register as such and submit comments or suggestions. Any interested party wishing to be registered must submit a written declaration addressed to the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, expressly stating the procedure in question, as well as their name, tax identification number and email address (if available), along with consent for the use of said information for notification purposes, in accordance with Article 112(1)(c) of the CPA. Submissions should preferably be emailed to [email protected], but may also be sent by post to Rua Cônsul Dabney – Colónia Alemã, PO Box 9, 9900-014 Horta, Faial, or by fax to +351 292 240 890. Should there be registered interested parties, a hearing of interested parties will subsequently be held, in accordance with Article 100 of the CPA. Once the consultation phase has been completed, the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries will review the contributions received. The final approval of the regulations will be accompanied by a report containing an overview of the submissions received, as well as a comprehensive assessment and the rationale for the options adopted.
Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026 Mónica Seidi highlights increased investment in oral health access and prevention As part of World Oral Health Day, marked today, the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the Regional Government’s commitment to promoting oral health through specific measures that improve access, prevention and the quality of care delivered to the Azorean population. Among the investments made, special emphasis should be placed on the replacement of 12 dental chairs in Island Health centres, funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), covering five centres in São Miguel, three in Terceira, two in Faial, one in São Jorge and one in Flores, representing an overall investment of about €350,000. The Dental Voucher programme has also been showing encouraging results in improving access to care. Since its launch in October 2025, about 134 applications have been submitted, including 115 on the island of São Miguel and 19 on the island of São Jorge. This measure allows users to access treatment from participating providers, paying just 5% of the total cost, representing an important step towards promoting access to oral health across the Region. Regarding prevention, the Regional Secretary for Health highlighted the excellent results of the Oral Cancer Intervention Programme (PICCOA), coordinated by the Azores Oncology Centre, which aims to detect pre-malignant and malignant oral cavity lesions at an early stage. The programme includes annual screenings targeting specific age groups, consultations for referred cases and the distribution of the Individual Oral Health Report (BISO 40+), thereby strengthening surveillance and ensuring timely referral for specialist treatment. So far, the second phase of the PICCOA programme (2022–2026) has recorded 36,354 screenings, with a participation rate of 29.3%, surpassing the first phase results (2017–2021). World Oral Health Day is being marked with various initiatives at health centres across the island. In this regard, the São Miguel Island Health Unit will host informative exhibitions, health education sessions, screenings and activities for the school community. The activities also include initiatives at various health centres, promoting oral health literacy across different age groups. The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security emphasised that “this is a path that will continue to be consolidated, with a focus on prevention, universal access and the recognition of professionals, ensuring better standards of oral health for all Azoreans, whilst not forgetting the Government’s commitment to move forward, this year, with the creation of a career path for dentists within the Regional Health Service (SRS).”
March 20, 2026 Mónica Seidi highlights increased investment in oral health access and prevention As part of World Oral Health Day, marked today, the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the Regional Government’s commitment to promoting oral health through specific measures that improve access, prevention and the quality of care delivered to the Azorean population. Among the investments made, special emphasis should be placed on the replacement of 12 dental chairs in Island Health centres, funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), covering five centres in São Miguel, three in Terceira, two in Faial, one in São Jorge and one in Flores, representing an overall investment of about €350,000. The Dental Voucher programme has also been showing encouraging results in improving access to care. Since its launch in October 2025, about 134 applications have been submitted, including 115 on the island of São Miguel and 19 on the island of São Jorge. This measure allows users to access treatment from participating providers, paying just 5% of the total cost, representing an important step towards promoting access to oral health across the Region. Regarding prevention, the Regional Secretary for Health highlighted the excellent results of the Oral Cancer Intervention Programme (PICCOA), coordinated by the Azores Oncology Centre, which aims to detect pre-malignant and malignant oral cavity lesions at an early stage. The programme includes annual screenings targeting specific age groups, consultations for referred cases and the distribution of the Individual Oral Health Report (BISO 40+), thereby strengthening surveillance and ensuring timely referral for specialist treatment. So far, the second phase of the PICCOA programme (2022–2026) has recorded 36,354 screenings, with a participation rate of 29.3%, surpassing the first phase results (2017–2021). World Oral Health Day is being marked with various initiatives at health centres across the island. In this regard, the São Miguel Island Health Unit will host informative exhibitions, health education sessions, screenings and activities for the school community. The activities also include initiatives at various health centres, promoting oral health literacy across different age groups. The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security emphasised that “this is a path that will continue to be consolidated, with a focus on prevention, universal access and the recognition of professionals, ensuring better standards of oral health for all Azoreans, whilst not forgetting the Government’s commitment to move forward, this year, with the creation of a career path for dentists within the Regional Health Service (SRS).”
Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026 €1.3 million in funding allocated to culture The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, announced today the breakdown of cultural funding to be allocated to each artistic area under the Legal Support Scheme for Cultural Activities (RJAAC), totalling about €1.3 million. The Order published today specifies the amounts to be allocated across sectors such as the audiovisual sector, the performing and visual arts, heritage, publishing, and interdisciplinary events. According to the government official, the criteria stipulated for allocating these funds “were based on the amounts awarded to applications in the corresponding artistic sectors last year.” The document earmarks €1.164 million for cultural projects, based on annual or biennial programmes or initiatives, with a significant interest in the preservation, enhancement, promotion and dissemination of culture in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. It also stipulates €77,000 for the acquisition, refurbishment, improvement, extension or construction of infrastructures intended for cultural activities. It also allocates €16,000 for the acquisition and conservation of musical instruments, the purchase of uniforms, costumes and repertoire by cultural groups, and a further €15,000 for the costs of publishing cultural works. “This funding was allocated in amounts ranging from €500 to €50,000 per project, depending on the area of activity. This is the main amendment introduced by the new legislation,” stated Sofia Ribeiro. It should be noted that the new regulation was revised by the Regional Government in 2024, and this is the first time that funding has been allocated under the new regulation. According to the government official, cultural agents “now have 15 working days to change the tier they have applied for, if they so wish.” “As they are already aware of their assessment, and consequently of their position on the ranked list, they have a clear idea of the funding that will be allocated, a process which is automatic,” she emphasised. RJAAC remains the main source of support for cultural organisations. The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport also provides funding under the Support Programme for Recreational and Philharmonic Societies (SOREFIL), exclusively for philharmonic societies, as well as for the restoration, conservation and promotion of the whaling heritage of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
March 20, 2026 €1.3 million in funding allocated to culture The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, announced today the breakdown of cultural funding to be allocated to each artistic area under the Legal Support Scheme for Cultural Activities (RJAAC), totalling about €1.3 million. The Order published today specifies the amounts to be allocated across sectors such as the audiovisual sector, the performing and visual arts, heritage, publishing, and interdisciplinary events. According to the government official, the criteria stipulated for allocating these funds “were based on the amounts awarded to applications in the corresponding artistic sectors last year.” The document earmarks €1.164 million for cultural projects, based on annual or biennial programmes or initiatives, with a significant interest in the preservation, enhancement, promotion and dissemination of culture in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. It also stipulates €77,000 for the acquisition, refurbishment, improvement, extension or construction of infrastructures intended for cultural activities. It also allocates €16,000 for the acquisition and conservation of musical instruments, the purchase of uniforms, costumes and repertoire by cultural groups, and a further €15,000 for the costs of publishing cultural works. “This funding was allocated in amounts ranging from €500 to €50,000 per project, depending on the area of activity. This is the main amendment introduced by the new legislation,” stated Sofia Ribeiro. It should be noted that the new regulation was revised by the Regional Government in 2024, and this is the first time that funding has been allocated under the new regulation. According to the government official, cultural agents “now have 15 working days to change the tier they have applied for, if they so wish.” “As they are already aware of their assessment, and consequently of their position on the ranked list, they have a clear idea of the funding that will be allocated, a process which is automatic,” she emphasised. RJAAC remains the main source of support for cultural organisations. The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport also provides funding under the Support Programme for Recreational and Philharmonic Societies (SOREFIL), exclusively for philharmonic societies, as well as for the restoration, conservation and promotion of the whaling heritage of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
