Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública
Regional Government reduces Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products
Regional Government reduces Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products
Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
€1.3 million in funding allocated to culture
€1.3 million in funding allocated to culture
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Mónica Seidi destaca reforço do investimento no acesso e prevenção à Saúde Oral
Mónica Seidi destaca reforço do investimento no acesso e prevenção à Saúde Oral
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Regional Government with three European projects approved for agricultural innovation and sustainability
Regional Government with three European projects approved for agricultural innovation and sustainability
Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026 Regional Government reduces Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products The Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, announced at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores that the Regional Government will proceed with a reduction in the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (ISP) to curb fuel price rises in the Region. The measure is expected to be reflected in the next price update in April and comes against a backdrop of significant instability in international markets, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. The government official explained that the aim is to “curb the rise in fuel prices” and ease the pressure on Azorean households and businesses. In addition to this decision, Duarte Freitas acknowledged that the Government is keeping a close eye on interest rate trends and has not ruled out the possibility of reactivating the Credithab programme. In this regard, he stated that he is “considering the possibility of reactivating” this support mechanism should there be abnormal increases, as a measure aimed at helping families who are finding it particularly difficult to meet their housing costs. Regarding the cost of living, the Regional Government will also step up the monitoring of prices for essential goods. Such monitoring, which had been carried out on a quarterly basis, will now return to a monthly schedule. According to the Regional Secretary, this change will ensure a “swifter response to any abnormal fluctuations” in prices, particularly at a time marked by energy market volatility.
March 20, 2026 Regional Government reduces Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products The Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, announced at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores that the Regional Government will proceed with a reduction in the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (ISP) to curb fuel price rises in the Region. The measure is expected to be reflected in the next price update in April and comes against a backdrop of significant instability in international markets, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. The government official explained that the aim is to “curb the rise in fuel prices” and ease the pressure on Azorean households and businesses. In addition to this decision, Duarte Freitas acknowledged that the Government is keeping a close eye on interest rate trends and has not ruled out the possibility of reactivating the Credithab programme. In this regard, he stated that he is “considering the possibility of reactivating” this support mechanism should there be abnormal increases, as a measure aimed at helping families who are finding it particularly difficult to meet their housing costs. Regarding the cost of living, the Regional Government will also step up the monitoring of prices for essential goods. Such monitoring, which had been carried out on a quarterly basis, will now return to a monthly schedule. According to the Regional Secretary, this change will ensure a “swifter response to any abnormal fluctuations” in prices, particularly at a time marked by energy market volatility.
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.
Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026 Mónica Seidi destaca reforço do investimento no acesso e prevenção à Saúde Oral No âmbito do Dia Mundial da Saúde Oral, assinalado hoje, a Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social, Mónica Seidi, destaca o compromisso do Governo dos Açores com a promoção da saúde oral, através de medidas concretas que reforçam o acesso, a prevenção e a qualidade dos cuidados prestados à população açoriana. Entre os investimentos realizados, destaca-se a substituição de 12 cadeiras de medicina dentária nas Unidades de Saúde de Ilha, financiadas pelo Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR), abrangendo cinco unidades em São Miguel, três na Terceira, duas no Faial, uma em São Jorge e uma nas Flores, num investimento global de cerca de 350 mil euros. Também no reforço do acesso aos cuidados, o programa Cheque-Dentista tem vindo a demonstrar resultados encorajadores. Desde o seu início, em outubro de 2025, foram já registados cerca de 134 pedidos de adesão, dos quais 115 na ilha de São Miguel e 19 na ilha de São Jorge. Esta medida permite aos utentes aceder a tratamentos junto de prestadores aderentes, suportando apenas 5% do valor total, representando um passo importante na promoção da equidade no acesso à saúde oral em toda a Região. No domínio da prevenção, a SRSSS salienta os excelentes resultados do Programa de Intervenção no Cancro Oral (PICCOA), coordenado pelo Centro de Oncologia dos Açores, que visa a deteção precoce de lesões pré-malignas e malignas da cavidade oral. O programa inclui rastreios anuais dirigidos a grupos etários específicos, consultas de casos referenciados e a distribuição do Boletim Individual de Saúde Oral (BISO 40+), reforçando a vigilância e o encaminhamento atempado para tratamento especializado. No acumulado da segunda volta do programa PICCOA (2022-2026), registam-se já 36.354 rastreios, com uma taxa de participação de 29,3%, superando os resultados da primeira volta (2017-2021). Para assinalar o Dia Mundial da Saúde Oral, decorrem diversas iniciativas em várias Unidades de Saúde de Ilha. A título de exemplo, na Unidade de Saúde de Ilha de São Miguel, irão decorrer exposições informativas, sessões de educação para a saúde, rastreios e ações junto da comunidade escolar. Entre as atividades, incluem-se também ações nos diversos Centros de Saúde, promovendo a literacia em saúde oral em diferentes faixas etárias. A Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social sublinha que “este é um caminho que continuará a ser reforçado, com foco na prevenção, no acesso universal e na valorização dos profissionais, garantindo melhores níveis de saúde oral para todos os açorianos, sem esquecer o compromisso do Governo de avançar já este ano para a criação da carreira do médico dentista no SRS”.
March 20, 2026 Mónica Seidi destaca reforço do investimento no acesso e prevenção à Saúde Oral No âmbito do Dia Mundial da Saúde Oral, assinalado hoje, a Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social, Mónica Seidi, destaca o compromisso do Governo dos Açores com a promoção da saúde oral, através de medidas concretas que reforçam o acesso, a prevenção e a qualidade dos cuidados prestados à população açoriana. Entre os investimentos realizados, destaca-se a substituição de 12 cadeiras de medicina dentária nas Unidades de Saúde de Ilha, financiadas pelo Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR), abrangendo cinco unidades em São Miguel, três na Terceira, duas no Faial, uma em São Jorge e uma nas Flores, num investimento global de cerca de 350 mil euros. Também no reforço do acesso aos cuidados, o programa Cheque-Dentista tem vindo a demonstrar resultados encorajadores. Desde o seu início, em outubro de 2025, foram já registados cerca de 134 pedidos de adesão, dos quais 115 na ilha de São Miguel e 19 na ilha de São Jorge. Esta medida permite aos utentes aceder a tratamentos junto de prestadores aderentes, suportando apenas 5% do valor total, representando um passo importante na promoção da equidade no acesso à saúde oral em toda a Região. No domínio da prevenção, a SRSSS salienta os excelentes resultados do Programa de Intervenção no Cancro Oral (PICCOA), coordenado pelo Centro de Oncologia dos Açores, que visa a deteção precoce de lesões pré-malignas e malignas da cavidade oral. O programa inclui rastreios anuais dirigidos a grupos etários específicos, consultas de casos referenciados e a distribuição do Boletim Individual de Saúde Oral (BISO 40+), reforçando a vigilância e o encaminhamento atempado para tratamento especializado. No acumulado da segunda volta do programa PICCOA (2022-2026), registam-se já 36.354 rastreios, com uma taxa de participação de 29,3%, superando os resultados da primeira volta (2017-2021). Para assinalar o Dia Mundial da Saúde Oral, decorrem diversas iniciativas em várias Unidades de Saúde de Ilha. A título de exemplo, na Unidade de Saúde de Ilha de São Miguel, irão decorrer exposições informativas, sessões de educação para a saúde, rastreios e ações junto da comunidade escolar. Entre as atividades, incluem-se também ações nos diversos Centros de Saúde, promovendo a literacia em saúde oral em diferentes faixas etárias. A Secretária Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social sublinha que “este é um caminho que continuará a ser reforçado, com foco na prevenção, no acesso universal e na valorização dos profissionais, garantindo melhores níveis de saúde oral para todos os açorianos, sem esquecer o compromisso do Governo de avançar já este ano para a criação da carreira do médico dentista no SRS”.
Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026 Regional Government with three European projects approved for agricultural innovation and sustainability The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has seen three strategic innovation projects for regional agriculture approved by the European Parliament, focusing on crop diversification, the circular economy and animal welfare. For the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “today is an important day for the Azores.” He emphasised that the approval of these initiatives “demonstrates that Azorean agriculture is a vibrant and innovative force that is essential for the sustainable development of the archipelago.” The three projects, representing an overall investment of around €1.6 million, aim to prepare the sector for new food and environmental requirements: As part of the efforts to promote agricultural innovation, the "AZOREAN COCOA" project has been launched. With a budget of €108,000 and an expected lifespan of 24 months, this pilot study will assess the agricultural and economic viability of growing cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in the Region. With the establishment of experimental plots on São Miguel and Terceira, soils, microclimates and costs will be analysed with the aim of paving the way for a new value-added agricultural sector linked to artisanal chocolate and agritourism. In the area of sustainability and the circular economy, the second phase of the “Bio Filtering” project is moving forward, focusing on the processing and reuse of slaughterhouse waste. Representing an estimated investment of €359,000, the initiative will use natural solutions (such as aquatic plants and accelerated vermicomposting) to transform organic waste into high-quality agricultural compost. The project, which can be replicated across the nine islands, is expected to reduce unprocessed organic waste by up to 5,000 tonnes per year by 2027. The third initiative, “CALF FRIENDLY - Happy Calves,” is aimed at dairy farms on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel. This project has a budget of €1.13 million for the 2026–2028 period. The initiative promotes the suckling of calves for up to three months, a single daily milking and the use of biodiverse pastures. It also provides for the creation of Environmental Credits to offset producers and the awarding of the European “Calf Friendly” label. António Ventura noted that these projects represent a clear “European recognition of the diversification of food production” in the Azores, making a direct contribution “to carbon negativity, soil sustainability, zero waste and a circular economy.” The respective documents will now be submitted to the European Commission, where the technical and financial assessment phase will take place. The submission of these proposals to the European Parliament stemmed from the close institutional cooperation with the MEP for the Azores, Paulo do Nascimento Cabral. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, “this proactive approach between the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food and MEP Paulo Nascimento Cabral has resulted in a direct benefit for the Azorean people.” It will ensure a path for the sector that is “consumer-focused, more resilient and diversified, and aligned with the environmental challenges of the 21st century.”
March 20, 2026 Regional Government with three European projects approved for agricultural innovation and sustainability The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has seen three strategic innovation projects for regional agriculture approved by the European Parliament, focusing on crop diversification, the circular economy and animal welfare. For the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “today is an important day for the Azores.” He emphasised that the approval of these initiatives “demonstrates that Azorean agriculture is a vibrant and innovative force that is essential for the sustainable development of the archipelago.” The three projects, representing an overall investment of around €1.6 million, aim to prepare the sector for new food and environmental requirements: As part of the efforts to promote agricultural innovation, the "AZOREAN COCOA" project has been launched. With a budget of €108,000 and an expected lifespan of 24 months, this pilot study will assess the agricultural and economic viability of growing cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in the Region. With the establishment of experimental plots on São Miguel and Terceira, soils, microclimates and costs will be analysed with the aim of paving the way for a new value-added agricultural sector linked to artisanal chocolate and agritourism. In the area of sustainability and the circular economy, the second phase of the “Bio Filtering” project is moving forward, focusing on the processing and reuse of slaughterhouse waste. Representing an estimated investment of €359,000, the initiative will use natural solutions (such as aquatic plants and accelerated vermicomposting) to transform organic waste into high-quality agricultural compost. The project, which can be replicated across the nine islands, is expected to reduce unprocessed organic waste by up to 5,000 tonnes per year by 2027. The third initiative, “CALF FRIENDLY - Happy Calves,” is aimed at dairy farms on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel. This project has a budget of €1.13 million for the 2026–2028 period. The initiative promotes the suckling of calves for up to three months, a single daily milking and the use of biodiverse pastures. It also provides for the creation of Environmental Credits to offset producers and the awarding of the European “Calf Friendly” label. António Ventura noted that these projects represent a clear “European recognition of the diversification of food production” in the Azores, making a direct contribution “to carbon negativity, soil sustainability, zero waste and a circular economy.” The respective documents will now be submitted to the European Commission, where the technical and financial assessment phase will take place. The submission of these proposals to the European Parliament stemmed from the close institutional cooperation with the MEP for the Azores, Paulo do Nascimento Cabral. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, “this proactive approach between the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food and MEP Paulo Nascimento Cabral has resulted in a direct benefit for the Azorean people.” It will ensure a path for the sector that is “consumer-focused, more resilient and diversified, and aligned with the environmental challenges of the 21st century.”
Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026 Paulo Estêvão opens “Azores Square” and “Azorean Museum” in São Luís do Maranhão during official visit to Brazil The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, will be making an official visit to Brazil (the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Maranhão) in the coming days, during the year marking the 50th anniversary of the Azores’ autonomy. The highlight of the visit will take place on Monday, March 23, in the city of São Luís (Maranhão), where the Azorean government official and the Governor of the State of Maranhão will preside over the official opening of the "Azores Square" and the "Azorean Museum." This ceremony marks a historic milestone in the preservation and promotion of the Azorean cultural heritage in the northeastern region of Brazil. The Azorean delegation, which also includes the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, and the researcher and university lecturer Susana Goulart Costa, will begin the official programme on Saturday, March 21, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. On Saturday afternoon, the Regional Secretary will visit the House of the Azoresa of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Gravataí, and will also attend the dinner marking the institution’s 23rd anniversary. While still in Rio Grande do Sul, the delegation will take part in a formal ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. local time, at the Teatro da Santa Casa in Porto Alegre – the largest city in the world founded by Azoreans. The event, part of the "Porto Alegre Week," will feature the launch of the book "Açores: Nove Ilhas, Nove Histórias," written by Susana Goulart Costa and published by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities in partnership with the local House of the Azores. On Sunday, the delegation will travel to the state of Maranhão, where it will have a busy schedule of institutional and cultural engagements on Monday. Before the opening ceremonies scheduled for Monday afternoon, Paulo Estêvão will pay a courtesy visit to the former President of the Republic of Brazil, José Sarney. On Monday morning, the programme includes an academic presentation of the book "Açores: Nove Ilhas, Nove Histórias" to students enrolled in the History Programme at the State University of Maranhão in São Luís, featuring speeches by the Regional Director for the Communities, the book's author and the Regional Secretary.
March 20, 2026 Paulo Estêvão opens “Azores Square” and “Azorean Museum” in São Luís do Maranhão during official visit to Brazil The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, will be making an official visit to Brazil (the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Maranhão) in the coming days, during the year marking the 50th anniversary of the Azores’ autonomy. The highlight of the visit will take place on Monday, March 23, in the city of São Luís (Maranhão), where the Azorean government official and the Governor of the State of Maranhão will preside over the official opening of the "Azores Square" and the "Azorean Museum." This ceremony marks a historic milestone in the preservation and promotion of the Azorean cultural heritage in the northeastern region of Brazil. The Azorean delegation, which also includes the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, and the researcher and university lecturer Susana Goulart Costa, will begin the official programme on Saturday, March 21, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. On Saturday afternoon, the Regional Secretary will visit the House of the Azoresa of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Gravataí, and will also attend the dinner marking the institution’s 23rd anniversary. While still in Rio Grande do Sul, the delegation will take part in a formal ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. local time, at the Teatro da Santa Casa in Porto Alegre – the largest city in the world founded by Azoreans. The event, part of the "Porto Alegre Week," will feature the launch of the book "Açores: Nove Ilhas, Nove Histórias," written by Susana Goulart Costa and published by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities in partnership with the local House of the Azores. On Sunday, the delegation will travel to the state of Maranhão, where it will have a busy schedule of institutional and cultural engagements on Monday. Before the opening ceremonies scheduled for Monday afternoon, Paulo Estêvão will pay a courtesy visit to the former President of the Republic of Brazil, José Sarney. On Monday morning, the programme includes an academic presentation of the book "Açores: Nove Ilhas, Nove Histórias" to students enrolled in the History Programme at the State University of Maranhão in São Luís, featuring speeches by the Regional Director for the Communities, the book's author and the Regional Secretary.
