Presidência do Governo Regional
Raffaele Fitto’s visit strengthens European "dialogue" with the Azores, says José Manuel Bolieiro
Raffaele Fitto’s visit strengthens European "dialogue" with the Azores, says José Manuel Bolieiro
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Tender procedure for centralised procurement of medical gases for SRS launched today
Tender procedure for centralised procurement of medical gases for SRS launched today
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Paulo Estêvão praises “integration and tolerance” of Azoreans at opening of 4th Migration Forum
Paulo Estêvão praises “integration and tolerance” of Azoreans at opening of 4th Migration Forum
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people
Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people
Nota de Imprensa
April 9, 2026 Raffaele Fitto’s visit strengthens European "dialogue" with the Azores, says José Manuel Bolieiro The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, welcomed today Raffaele Fitto, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, at the Santana Palace for a meeting to exchange greetings, as part of his visit to Portugal. The primary aim of Raffaele Fitto’s visit, which includes Lisbon and the Azores, is to discuss the future of cohesion policy and the European Union’s strategy for the Outermost Regions, at a crucial time for the definition of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. This meeting follows on from the meeting held in Brussels in late 2025 during the High-Level Outermost Regions Forum, where José Manuel Bolieiro extended the invitation that has now been fulfilled, as well as the presentation of the joint declaration of the Outermost Regions on the 2028–2034 financial period. “We welcome this visit with much appreciation for the attention and commitment it demonstrates towards the Azores,” stated the President of the Regional Government. The head of the Azorean Government also highlighted Raffaele Fitto’s role as “a true ally of the Outermost Regions,” emphasising his understanding of the specific characteristics of these territories at a challenging stage of European transition. Following the audience, a working meeting will take place with several members of the Regional Government, which will focus on a presentation about the Region and the Azorean Government's views on European Union policies and its financial instruments. In the afternoon, the programme includes visits to projects supported by European funds, namely the Trás-os-Mosteiros housing development, under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), and the São Miguel Island Ecopark (MUSAMI), an investment under the Cohesion Programme, co-financed by the ERDF. For José Manuel Bolieiro, this direct contact with projects on the ground highlights “the tangible impact of European policies on the lives of the Azorean people.” It also reinforces the importance of a strong cohesion policy, tailored to the realities of the Outermost Regions. The President of the Regional Government also expressed his appreciation for Raffaele Fitto’s willingness to return to the Azores as part of a future visit that will cover other islands.
April 9, 2026 Raffaele Fitto’s visit strengthens European "dialogue" with the Azores, says José Manuel Bolieiro The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, welcomed today Raffaele Fitto, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, at the Santana Palace for a meeting to exchange greetings, as part of his visit to Portugal. The primary aim of Raffaele Fitto’s visit, which includes Lisbon and the Azores, is to discuss the future of cohesion policy and the European Union’s strategy for the Outermost Regions, at a crucial time for the definition of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. This meeting follows on from the meeting held in Brussels in late 2025 during the High-Level Outermost Regions Forum, where José Manuel Bolieiro extended the invitation that has now been fulfilled, as well as the presentation of the joint declaration of the Outermost Regions on the 2028–2034 financial period. “We welcome this visit with much appreciation for the attention and commitment it demonstrates towards the Azores,” stated the President of the Regional Government. The head of the Azorean Government also highlighted Raffaele Fitto’s role as “a true ally of the Outermost Regions,” emphasising his understanding of the specific characteristics of these territories at a challenging stage of European transition. Following the audience, a working meeting will take place with several members of the Regional Government, which will focus on a presentation about the Region and the Azorean Government's views on European Union policies and its financial instruments. In the afternoon, the programme includes visits to projects supported by European funds, namely the Trás-os-Mosteiros housing development, under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), and the São Miguel Island Ecopark (MUSAMI), an investment under the Cohesion Programme, co-financed by the ERDF. For José Manuel Bolieiro, this direct contact with projects on the ground highlights “the tangible impact of European policies on the lives of the Azorean people.” It also reinforces the importance of a strong cohesion policy, tailored to the realities of the Outermost Regions. The President of the Regional Government also expressed his appreciation for Raffaele Fitto’s willingness to return to the Azores as part of a future visit that will cover other islands.
Nota de Imprensa
April 9, 2026 Tender procedure for centralised procurement of medical gases for SRS launched today The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, welcomed the launch of the public tender for the awarding of a Public Procurement Contract (PPC) for the supply of medical gases to the health units within the Regional Health Service (SRS). The tender has already been published on the acinGov platform, under reference no. 20/2026. With a three-year term, renewable up to a maximum of four, this tender is part of the Regional Government’s strategy to reinforce the centralisation of procurement in the health sector, promoting greater efficiency, the rationalisation of resources and the financial sustainability of the SRS. Regional Implementing Decree no. 13/2025/A of 23 April established the current Health Procurement Centre of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (CCSRAA) in response to new public procurement requirements and developments in the sector, replacing the previous legislation, which had been in force for over 15 years. The CCSRAA is responsible for processing procedures and awarding contracts on behalf of SRS entities, promoting the consolidation of orders and entering into framework agreements (known as CPAs). This ensures more advantageous, uniform and predictable conditions for the supply of essential goods and services. This model also reduces unit costs, increases bargaining power, promotes standardisation of procurement and generates economies of scale, whilst eliminating procedural redundancies. “The centralised procurement process is a strategic function within the healthcare sector, requiring the ability to ensure the right quality, in the right quantity, at the right time, at the right price and from the right source. Therefore, it is a key element in the supply chain management,” stressed Mónica Seidi. New procurement procedures are expected to be launched this year in areas such as pharmaceuticals, related medical devices and hospital supplies. “With this tender, the Regional Government is taking another step towards consolidating the centralised procurement model, strengthening the role of the Health Procurement Centre as an instrument of good governance, transparency and efficiency within the Regional Health Service,” concluded the Regional Secretary.
April 9, 2026 Tender procedure for centralised procurement of medical gases for SRS launched today The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, welcomed the launch of the public tender for the awarding of a Public Procurement Contract (PPC) for the supply of medical gases to the health units within the Regional Health Service (SRS). The tender has already been published on the acinGov platform, under reference no. 20/2026. With a three-year term, renewable up to a maximum of four, this tender is part of the Regional Government’s strategy to reinforce the centralisation of procurement in the health sector, promoting greater efficiency, the rationalisation of resources and the financial sustainability of the SRS. Regional Implementing Decree no. 13/2025/A of 23 April established the current Health Procurement Centre of the Autonomous Region of the Azores (CCSRAA) in response to new public procurement requirements and developments in the sector, replacing the previous legislation, which had been in force for over 15 years. The CCSRAA is responsible for processing procedures and awarding contracts on behalf of SRS entities, promoting the consolidation of orders and entering into framework agreements (known as CPAs). This ensures more advantageous, uniform and predictable conditions for the supply of essential goods and services. This model also reduces unit costs, increases bargaining power, promotes standardisation of procurement and generates economies of scale, whilst eliminating procedural redundancies. “The centralised procurement process is a strategic function within the healthcare sector, requiring the ability to ensure the right quality, in the right quantity, at the right time, at the right price and from the right source. Therefore, it is a key element in the supply chain management,” stressed Mónica Seidi. New procurement procedures are expected to be launched this year in areas such as pharmaceuticals, related medical devices and hospital supplies. “With this tender, the Regional Government is taking another step towards consolidating the centralised procurement model, strengthening the role of the Health Procurement Centre as an instrument of good governance, transparency and efficiency within the Regional Health Service,” concluded the Regional Secretary.
Nota de Imprensa
April 8, 2026 Paulo Estêvão praises “integration and tolerance” of Azoreans at opening of 4th Migration Forum The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, chaired the opening session of the 4th Migration Forum today on the island of Corvo, highlighting the deep-rooted migratory history of the Azorean people and the “integration and tolerance” shown towards those arriving on the nine islands. The event, which runs until Friday and also covers the island of Flores, focuses on the challenges and opportunities of human mobility, placing the Autonomous Region of the Azores at the forefront of reception policies in the Outermost Regions. Speaking via video link from Lisbon, Paulo Estêvão drew a historical parallel between the waves of Azorean emigration to various destinations – and their vital importance for the islands’ development – and the current flows of foreign citizens seeking to settle in the archipelago. For the Regional Secretary, the answer is clear: “integration and tolerance” are the values that best “describe the Azorean people." Considering the specific situation on the island of Corvo, Paulo Estêvão acknowledged the ongoing challenge of declining population numbers. Nevertheless, he was keen to praise the “remarkable integration efforts” of immigrants who choose to live on the smallest island of the Azores. The government official pragmatically acknowledged the structural challenges to be overcome, such as access to housing. In this regard, he identified this as a factor that hinders both young Azoreans and the immigrant population from settling in the Region, reiterating the Government’s commitment to reversing this trend. In his speech, the Secretary for Communities also emphasised the crucial importance of legalising the status of foreign residents in the archipelago. This is an ongoing endeavour undertaken by the Regional Government, driven by coordinated efforts with AIMA – Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, and with leading social partners working on the ground, such as the Association of Immigrants in the Azores (AIPA) and CRESAÇOR. Under the theme “Migration in the Atlantic Outermost Regions: Challenges, Opportunities and the Future of Human Mobility in the Outermost Regions,” the forum brings together experts, academics, public bodies and civil society organisations. The event will be attended by prominent national and international figures, namely Pedro Portugal Gaspar, President of the Board of Directors of AIMA, and Vasco Malta, Head of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Portugal. The debate is further enriched by the insights of those working on the ground. It will feature local representatives from the political, economic, social and cultural spheres, alongside teachers, the President of the Flores Secondary School Board, and representatives from the Santa Cruz Municipal Council. Following on from the three previous editions, held on the islands of Faial, Pico, São Miguel and Terceira between 2023 and 2025, the 4th Migration Forum confirms the Azorean Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting dialogue, cooperation and inclusion. The event, thus, consolidates the Region’s role as a true bridge linking communities, cultures and territories, capable of transforming the challenges of geographical isolation into innovative and inclusive reception practices.
April 8, 2026 Paulo Estêvão praises “integration and tolerance” of Azoreans at opening of 4th Migration Forum The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, chaired the opening session of the 4th Migration Forum today on the island of Corvo, highlighting the deep-rooted migratory history of the Azorean people and the “integration and tolerance” shown towards those arriving on the nine islands. The event, which runs until Friday and also covers the island of Flores, focuses on the challenges and opportunities of human mobility, placing the Autonomous Region of the Azores at the forefront of reception policies in the Outermost Regions. Speaking via video link from Lisbon, Paulo Estêvão drew a historical parallel between the waves of Azorean emigration to various destinations – and their vital importance for the islands’ development – and the current flows of foreign citizens seeking to settle in the archipelago. For the Regional Secretary, the answer is clear: “integration and tolerance” are the values that best “describe the Azorean people." Considering the specific situation on the island of Corvo, Paulo Estêvão acknowledged the ongoing challenge of declining population numbers. Nevertheless, he was keen to praise the “remarkable integration efforts” of immigrants who choose to live on the smallest island of the Azores. The government official pragmatically acknowledged the structural challenges to be overcome, such as access to housing. In this regard, he identified this as a factor that hinders both young Azoreans and the immigrant population from settling in the Region, reiterating the Government’s commitment to reversing this trend. In his speech, the Secretary for Communities also emphasised the crucial importance of legalising the status of foreign residents in the archipelago. This is an ongoing endeavour undertaken by the Regional Government, driven by coordinated efforts with AIMA – Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, and with leading social partners working on the ground, such as the Association of Immigrants in the Azores (AIPA) and CRESAÇOR. Under the theme “Migration in the Atlantic Outermost Regions: Challenges, Opportunities and the Future of Human Mobility in the Outermost Regions,” the forum brings together experts, academics, public bodies and civil society organisations. The event will be attended by prominent national and international figures, namely Pedro Portugal Gaspar, President of the Board of Directors of AIMA, and Vasco Malta, Head of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Portugal. The debate is further enriched by the insights of those working on the ground. It will feature local representatives from the political, economic, social and cultural spheres, alongside teachers, the President of the Flores Secondary School Board, and representatives from the Santa Cruz Municipal Council. Following on from the three previous editions, held on the islands of Faial, Pico, São Miguel and Terceira between 2023 and 2025, the 4th Migration Forum confirms the Azorean Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting dialogue, cooperation and inclusion. The event, thus, consolidates the Region’s role as a true bridge linking communities, cultures and territories, capable of transforming the challenges of geographical isolation into innovative and inclusive reception practices.
Nota de Imprensa
April 8, 2026 Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment announced today that the Regional Government is stepping up its investment in screening and vocational and career guidance for school-aged young people, aligned with the strategic proposal of the Regional Agenda for Vocational Education (ARQP) – Empowering Azoreans – Azores 2030. Maria João Carreiro spoke at the closing session of the “Qualifications 2036” seminar, organised by the Economic and Social Council of the Azores (CESA) in Ponta Delgada. On the occasion, she highlighted the increased focus on the Vocational and Career Guidance Office (GOVP) – established in 2022 – in supporting school-age young people in the Azores. “With GOVP, screening and vocational and career guidance sessions for school-aged young people will be further stepped up and expanded, encouraging them to draw up an individual career plan – an essential step in preventing these young people from becoming NEETs,” she explained. As the government official announced on Tuesday at a press conference to present the interim results of the ARQP, the NEET rate among young people in the Azores fell from 19.3% in 2020 to 12.1% in 2024, whilst the 2025 target set in the ARQP stood at 15%, representing a “very positive development” for the Region. Among other targets, the ARQP sets out the implementation of measures and actions to reduce the NEET rate among young people, through new models of early vocational guidance. “From the early school years, Azorean young people now have access to more coordinated measures from the Regional Directorate for Youth and the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment, which provide opportunities for vocational guidance and socio-professional integration,” she emphasised. According to her, GOVP “has been essential” in developing tailored training and employment solutions for NEETs, the long-term unemployed and other groups most in need of support, having already conducted 2,415 individual sessions and 420 group sessions with registered jobseekers. Maria João Carreiro also pointed out that public policies for training and employment “are being developed within a context that is profoundly different from that of five, 10, 15 or 20 years ago,” noting that the Region has seen its young population aged between 15 and 34 decrease by more than a quarter, falling from 78,469 to 57,434. “There are fewer young people in the Region’s demographic structure, longer educational pathways and more challenging transitions between education and work,” she noted. In a context where early dropout rates from education and training have fallen sharply compared with the figures of 20 years ago, the Region now has record highs in the number of employed people and record lows in the number of unemployed, she highlighted. According to the Regional Secretary, the Region “has moved from a model heavily reliant on employment schemes and precarious contracts to one increasingly focused on skills development, permanent employment and job quality,” as a response to the cyclical and structural challenges in training and employment that still persist. Since 2021, from the more than 7,200 placements under the hiring support scheme, 4,892 have benefited young people, with 87% on permanent contracts. “The shift in the profile of supported hiring is clear: whilst in 2017 only 1.1% of placements were permanent contracts, this figure reached 100% in 2025,” she concluded. Maria João Carreiro also noted that the initiative promoted by CESA, "Coordinated Public Action in Education and Vocational Training for Vulnerable Groups," underlined the importance of the path the Region has been following since 2021, a process in which the Regional Government relies on CESA’s contribution and participation.
April 8, 2026 Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment announced today that the Regional Government is stepping up its investment in screening and vocational and career guidance for school-aged young people, aligned with the strategic proposal of the Regional Agenda for Vocational Education (ARQP) – Empowering Azoreans – Azores 2030. Maria João Carreiro spoke at the closing session of the “Qualifications 2036” seminar, organised by the Economic and Social Council of the Azores (CESA) in Ponta Delgada. On the occasion, she highlighted the increased focus on the Vocational and Career Guidance Office (GOVP) – established in 2022 – in supporting school-age young people in the Azores. “With GOVP, screening and vocational and career guidance sessions for school-aged young people will be further stepped up and expanded, encouraging them to draw up an individual career plan – an essential step in preventing these young people from becoming NEETs,” she explained. As the government official announced on Tuesday at a press conference to present the interim results of the ARQP, the NEET rate among young people in the Azores fell from 19.3% in 2020 to 12.1% in 2024, whilst the 2025 target set in the ARQP stood at 15%, representing a “very positive development” for the Region. Among other targets, the ARQP sets out the implementation of measures and actions to reduce the NEET rate among young people, through new models of early vocational guidance. “From the early school years, Azorean young people now have access to more coordinated measures from the Regional Directorate for Youth and the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment, which provide opportunities for vocational guidance and socio-professional integration,” she emphasised. According to her, GOVP “has been essential” in developing tailored training and employment solutions for NEETs, the long-term unemployed and other groups most in need of support, having already conducted 2,415 individual sessions and 420 group sessions with registered jobseekers. Maria João Carreiro also pointed out that public policies for training and employment “are being developed within a context that is profoundly different from that of five, 10, 15 or 20 years ago,” noting that the Region has seen its young population aged between 15 and 34 decrease by more than a quarter, falling from 78,469 to 57,434. “There are fewer young people in the Region’s demographic structure, longer educational pathways and more challenging transitions between education and work,” she noted. In a context where early dropout rates from education and training have fallen sharply compared with the figures of 20 years ago, the Region now has record highs in the number of employed people and record lows in the number of unemployed, she highlighted. According to the Regional Secretary, the Region “has moved from a model heavily reliant on employment schemes and precarious contracts to one increasingly focused on skills development, permanent employment and job quality,” as a response to the cyclical and structural challenges in training and employment that still persist. Since 2021, from the more than 7,200 placements under the hiring support scheme, 4,892 have benefited young people, with 87% on permanent contracts. “The shift in the profile of supported hiring is clear: whilst in 2017 only 1.1% of placements were permanent contracts, this figure reached 100% in 2025,” she concluded. Maria João Carreiro also noted that the initiative promoted by CESA, "Coordinated Public Action in Education and Vocational Training for Vulnerable Groups," underlined the importance of the path the Region has been following since 2021, a process in which the Regional Government relies on CESA’s contribution and participation.
Nota de Imprensa
April 8, 2026 New adapted apartment bolsters support for displaced Azorean patients The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the findings of the first-quarter 2026 report from the Displaced Patient Support Service (SADD) in Lisbon, emphasising the crucial role this service plays in supporting patients from the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Between January 1 and March 31, 2026, SADD followed 253 cases, with 87% from new referrals from regional hospitals, highlighting the growing demand and importance of this service as a first-line response in supporting patients requiring transfer. These cases resulted in 463 stays (224 patients referred from the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, 194 from the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island, and 45 from the Horta Hospital) with an average of 1.83 visits per patient, thus reflecting the need for ongoing care. There has also been a significant expansion of the Accommodation Protocol. It now provides eight rooms distributed across three apartments, in addition to an apartment with a single room adapted to accommodate patients with reduced mobility, equipped with an adjustable bed, a removable shower chair and a ramp providing access to bathroom facilities. In the first quarter of 2026, the Accommodation Protocol service recorded an average increase of about 34% in occupancy compared to 2025. The adapted apartment is primarily intended for residents with significant functional limitations, particularly in terms of mobility and independence, as well as for clinical conditions requiring specific accessibility and safety measures; allocation is based on duly assessed clinical, functional and social criteria. It is also important to note that the adapted apartment registered an average occupancy rate of 65.33% in its first two months of operation, evidencing high demand. For Mónica Seidi, “these figures demonstrate the Regional Government’s commitment to ensuring an integrated, person-centred and effective response to displaced patients, ensuring not only access to healthcare but also the necessary social, emotional and logistical support throughout the process.” The Regional Secretary also praised the work carried out by the Regional Directorate for Health and the SADD team, whose dedication has been crucial in ensuring the continuity of healthcare outside the Region, promoting the well-being of patients and their families.
April 8, 2026 New adapted apartment bolsters support for displaced Azorean patients The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the findings of the first-quarter 2026 report from the Displaced Patient Support Service (SADD) in Lisbon, emphasising the crucial role this service plays in supporting patients from the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Between January 1 and March 31, 2026, SADD followed 253 cases, with 87% from new referrals from regional hospitals, highlighting the growing demand and importance of this service as a first-line response in supporting patients requiring transfer. These cases resulted in 463 stays (224 patients referred from the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, 194 from the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island, and 45 from the Horta Hospital) with an average of 1.83 visits per patient, thus reflecting the need for ongoing care. There has also been a significant expansion of the Accommodation Protocol. It now provides eight rooms distributed across three apartments, in addition to an apartment with a single room adapted to accommodate patients with reduced mobility, equipped with an adjustable bed, a removable shower chair and a ramp providing access to bathroom facilities. In the first quarter of 2026, the Accommodation Protocol service recorded an average increase of about 34% in occupancy compared to 2025. The adapted apartment is primarily intended for residents with significant functional limitations, particularly in terms of mobility and independence, as well as for clinical conditions requiring specific accessibility and safety measures; allocation is based on duly assessed clinical, functional and social criteria. It is also important to note that the adapted apartment registered an average occupancy rate of 65.33% in its first two months of operation, evidencing high demand. For Mónica Seidi, “these figures demonstrate the Regional Government’s commitment to ensuring an integrated, person-centred and effective response to displaced patients, ensuring not only access to healthcare but also the necessary social, emotional and logistical support throughout the process.” The Regional Secretary also praised the work carried out by the Regional Directorate for Health and the SADD team, whose dedication has been crucial in ensuring the continuity of healthcare outside the Region, promoting the well-being of patients and their families.
