Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Governo dos Açores apela à submissão de candidaturas no setor agrícola e garante pagamento integral de apoios sem rateios
Governo dos Açores apela à submissão de candidaturas no setor agrícola e garante pagamento integral de apoios sem rateios
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Press release
Press release
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Regional Government steps up support for Alternativa Association and highlights progress in fight against new synthetic drugs
Regional Government steps up support for Alternativa Association and highlights progress in fight against new synthetic drugs
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
47 Azorean parishes awarded Eco-Parish Programme Award for Excellence
47 Azorean parishes awarded Eco-Parish Programme Award for Excellence
Nota de Imprensa
May 7, 2026 Governo dos Açores apela à submissão de candidaturas no setor agrícola e garante pagamento integral de apoios sem rateios O Governo dos Açores, através da Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, alerta os produtores da Região para a aproximação do final do prazo de candidaturas aos apoios do POSEI e do PEPAC. O período para a apresentação e submissão dos pedidos, a decorrer desde o dia 20 de março, encerra a 15 de maio, pelo que a tutela apela a que os processos sejam instruídos o mais cedo possível para evitar constrangimentos de última hora. Estes pedidos, regulamentados no Aviso n.º 2/2026 - SIGC, abrangem medidas vitais para os setores agrícola e pecuário, incluindo ajudas à produção, manutenção da vinha, horticultura, culturas tradicionais, produção pecuária e medidas agroambientais. Para o executivo açoriano, a atual campanha assenta numa garantia estrutural, há muito reivindicada pela Federação Agrícola dos Açores e assumida plenamente por este Governo: as candidaturas aprovadas serão pagas na sua totalidade, sem recurso a rateios. Esta postura política marca a continuidade de um compromisso de rigor assumido desde 2021, em contraste direto com os cortes sistemáticos que eram aplicados aos rendimentos dos produtores durante as anteriores governações de responsabilidade socialista. A decisão de blindar a totalidade das verbas devidas aos agricultores representa um esforço financeiro estimado em cerca de 16 milhões de euros por ano, montante que tem sido assegurado através do Orçamento Regional ou, à semelhança do que sucedeu no ano transato, por via do Orçamento do Estado. O Governo dos Açores reafirma, desta forma, o seu compromisso inabalável com a estabilidade, a previsibilidade e a confiança no setor agropecuário. A garantia da eliminação dos rateios é assumida como uma ferramenta essencial para salvaguardar a economia local, assegurando as condições financeiras necessárias para que os agricultores açorianos possam continuar a desenvolver a sua atividade com segurança e sustentabilidade.
May 7, 2026 Governo dos Açores apela à submissão de candidaturas no setor agrícola e garante pagamento integral de apoios sem rateios O Governo dos Açores, através da Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, alerta os produtores da Região para a aproximação do final do prazo de candidaturas aos apoios do POSEI e do PEPAC. O período para a apresentação e submissão dos pedidos, a decorrer desde o dia 20 de março, encerra a 15 de maio, pelo que a tutela apela a que os processos sejam instruídos o mais cedo possível para evitar constrangimentos de última hora. Estes pedidos, regulamentados no Aviso n.º 2/2026 - SIGC, abrangem medidas vitais para os setores agrícola e pecuário, incluindo ajudas à produção, manutenção da vinha, horticultura, culturas tradicionais, produção pecuária e medidas agroambientais. Para o executivo açoriano, a atual campanha assenta numa garantia estrutural, há muito reivindicada pela Federação Agrícola dos Açores e assumida plenamente por este Governo: as candidaturas aprovadas serão pagas na sua totalidade, sem recurso a rateios. Esta postura política marca a continuidade de um compromisso de rigor assumido desde 2021, em contraste direto com os cortes sistemáticos que eram aplicados aos rendimentos dos produtores durante as anteriores governações de responsabilidade socialista. A decisão de blindar a totalidade das verbas devidas aos agricultores representa um esforço financeiro estimado em cerca de 16 milhões de euros por ano, montante que tem sido assegurado através do Orçamento Regional ou, à semelhança do que sucedeu no ano transato, por via do Orçamento do Estado. O Governo dos Açores reafirma, desta forma, o seu compromisso inabalável com a estabilidade, a previsibilidade e a confiança no setor agropecuário. A garantia da eliminação dos rateios é assumida como uma ferramenta essencial para salvaguardar a economia local, assegurando as condições financeiras necessárias para que os agricultores açorianos possam continuar a desenvolver a sua atividade com segurança e sustentabilidade.
Nota de Imprensa
May 7, 2026 Press release The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, following public statements made by Pedro Ferreira, an MP for the Liberal Initiative party, regarding the works at the Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade School, clarifies the following: 1. The project for the works in question was drawn up in 2020 by the then government, and the coalition Government launched the tender for the works as soon as the opportunity presented itself, given the urgent need for intervention. 2. The works contract in question is just the first phase, as the state of disrepair of the school requires a much more extensive intervention than that provided for in the project. 3. This first phase consists of repairing building roofs to address leaks and upgrading the electrical panels, specifically to improve them and bring them into line with current legislation, both within the panels themselves and between them. 4. During this phase, other problems were identified, with the necessary repairs included in the works and guaranteed by the applicable legal mechanisms. 5. The Regional Directorate for Public Works is currently in the process of launching tenders for projects involving the follow-up interventions at the school, including a complete overhaul of the electrical system, the sanitary facilities (covering the sewerage and water supply networks), the sports hall, and other previously identified issues. The Government of the Azores regrets the manner in which the Liberal Initiative MP raised this issue and offers its full cooperation in providing the necessary clarifications.
May 7, 2026 Press release The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, following public statements made by Pedro Ferreira, an MP for the Liberal Initiative party, regarding the works at the Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade School, clarifies the following: 1. The project for the works in question was drawn up in 2020 by the then government, and the coalition Government launched the tender for the works as soon as the opportunity presented itself, given the urgent need for intervention. 2. The works contract in question is just the first phase, as the state of disrepair of the school requires a much more extensive intervention than that provided for in the project. 3. This first phase consists of repairing building roofs to address leaks and upgrading the electrical panels, specifically to improve them and bring them into line with current legislation, both within the panels themselves and between them. 4. During this phase, other problems were identified, with the necessary repairs included in the works and guaranteed by the applicable legal mechanisms. 5. The Regional Directorate for Public Works is currently in the process of launching tenders for projects involving the follow-up interventions at the school, including a complete overhaul of the electrical system, the sanitary facilities (covering the sewerage and water supply networks), the sports hall, and other previously identified issues. The Government of the Azores regrets the manner in which the Liberal Initiative MP raised this issue and offers its full cooperation in providing the necessary clarifications.
Nota de Imprensa
May 7, 2026 Regional Government steps up support for Alternativa Association and highlights progress in fight against new synthetic drugs The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, visited Alternativa – Association Against Addictions, in Ponta Delgada, where she highlighted the vital role played by civil society organisations in the integrated response to addictive behaviours and dependencies in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. During the visit, the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security and the association signed a financial cooperation agreement amounting to €30,000, with a view to establishing the Centre for Health and Wellbeing Promotion. As of 2025, the Alternativa Association supported about 300 service users, mainly in the area of treatment monitoring following discharge from the detox programme, reinforcing its role in ensuring ongoing care and supporting the reintegration process. Mónica Seidi emphasised that “this investment reflects the Azorean Government’s commitment to a personalised, accessible and effective response, which prioritises not only treatment but also social reintegration and human dignity." The government official also highlighted recent legislative progress nationwide, with the enactment of the legislation updating the Drugs Act, paving the way for the criminalisation of new psychoactive substances. Among these is NEP, one of the most widely consumed synthetic substances in the Azores, whose inclusion in the legal charts represents a significant step in protecting public health and strengthening the tools to combat emerging drugs. The Regional Secretary commended the work carried out by the Azores Task Force, highlighting the crucial role of this body in timely reporting. Mónica Seidi concluded by reiterating the Regional Government’s commitment to further strengthening its collaboration with local institutions and promoting responses that are increasingly tailored to the needs of the population.
May 7, 2026 Regional Government steps up support for Alternativa Association and highlights progress in fight against new synthetic drugs The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, visited Alternativa – Association Against Addictions, in Ponta Delgada, where she highlighted the vital role played by civil society organisations in the integrated response to addictive behaviours and dependencies in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. During the visit, the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security and the association signed a financial cooperation agreement amounting to €30,000, with a view to establishing the Centre for Health and Wellbeing Promotion. As of 2025, the Alternativa Association supported about 300 service users, mainly in the area of treatment monitoring following discharge from the detox programme, reinforcing its role in ensuring ongoing care and supporting the reintegration process. Mónica Seidi emphasised that “this investment reflects the Azorean Government’s commitment to a personalised, accessible and effective response, which prioritises not only treatment but also social reintegration and human dignity." The government official also highlighted recent legislative progress nationwide, with the enactment of the legislation updating the Drugs Act, paving the way for the criminalisation of new psychoactive substances. Among these is NEP, one of the most widely consumed synthetic substances in the Azores, whose inclusion in the legal charts represents a significant step in protecting public health and strengthening the tools to combat emerging drugs. The Regional Secretary commended the work carried out by the Azores Task Force, highlighting the crucial role of this body in timely reporting. Mónica Seidi concluded by reiterating the Regional Government’s commitment to further strengthening its collaboration with local institutions and promoting responses that are increasingly tailored to the needs of the population.
Nota de Imprensa
May 7, 2026 47 Azorean parishes awarded Eco-Parish Programme Award for Excellence On Wednesday, the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, distinguished 47 Azorean parish councils that have stood out for their performance and contribution to environmental conservation, at an award-delivery ceremony held in Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. According to the government official, “the Eco-Parish Programme plays a fundamental role as a strategic tool for cooperation between the Regional Government and the parish councils in the cleaning and maintenance of public spaces, including watercourses and the coastline, involving local communities in environmental awareness and education initiatives.” Alonso Miguel emphasised that “this contribution extends beyond the cleaning, sanitation and improvement of our public spaces, helping to consolidate the Region’s image of sustainability and, above all, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Azorean population." “In fact, clean public spaces and unobstructed watercourses, combined with good environmental practices among the local population, are key factors in reducing the risks associated with various natural hazards, such as floods, flooding or landslides, to which the Azores are increasingly exposed and vulnerable as a result of climate change,” stated the government official. In this regard, he added that “preventive and effective action is crucial to avoiding significant material and financial losses, but above all, to strengthening safety and protection for the Azorean people." The Regional Secretary noted that “the Regional Government has been increasing the funds allocated to the Eco-Parish Programme over the years, intending to decisively empower and strengthen Parish Councils so that they can firmly embrace this important and demanding mission.” The Regional Secretary noted that, “in just five years, between 2021 and 2025, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action has allocated about €4.4 million to parish councils under this Programme. This is a substantially higher figure than that seen in the previous nine years, since 2012, when the programme was launched." Alonso Miguel emphasised that “this very significant financial investment, combined with commitment, dedication and sense of purpose of parish councils in effectively addressing these challenges, has led to the success of the Eco-Parish Programme, as demonstrated by the results achieved over recent years.” Alonso Miguel revealed that “in 2025, specifically, 126 parishes participated in the Eco-Parish programme, whose joint efforts enabled the monitoring and intervention along 240 km of watercourses and approximately 175 km of coastline across the nine islands of the archipelago.” According to the Regional Secretary, “as a result of these efforts, it was possible to ensure the removal and disposal of over a thousand tonnes of waste dumped in public spaces to appropriate final destinations, as well as to carry out 487 environmental awareness and education initiatives.” “These are, in fact, extraordinary figures, which clearly demonstrate the importance of this programme,” he stated. The government official highlighted that “47 parish councils from eight of the nine islands of the Azores were awarded a prize for excellence for their outstanding work in 2025 in the areas of cleaning, maintenance and environmental awareness, as well as for organising clean-up initiatives in public spaces involving the local community.” Alonso Miguel noted that “in addition to the award for excellence, an additional prize amounting to €1,000 was also awarded to each winning parish council, doubling the amount previously awarded, representing a total investment of €47,000. This will undoubtedly provide an additional incentive for parishes to strive for this level of excellence.” Alonso Miguel concluded by emphasising that “the delivery of these awards for excellence is, therefore, a fitting recognition of the efforts undertaken by each of the winning parish councils, as well as the dedication shown to this cause by their respective communities. It also reflects our gratitude and respect for the collective work—based on community engagement and shared responsibility—that has been carried out.” The following parish councils have been awarded the Eco-Parish Programme Award for Excellence for 2025: Ponta Delgada, Flores Island; Praia do Norte, Ribeirinha, Capelo, Salão, Praia de Almoxarife, and Pedro Miguel, Faial Island; São Mateus, Candelária, Madalena, Prainha, Piedade, and Calheta de Nesquim, Pico Island; Rosais, Norte Pequeno, and Santo Antão, São Jorge Island; Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Graciosa Island; Relva, Fajã de Cima, Conceição, Ribeirinha, Maia, Santa Cruz, Ribeira Seca, Calhetas, Matriz, São Brás, and Santana, São Miguel Island; Altares, Doze Ribeiras, Feteira, Vila do Porto Judeu, Raminho, Ribeirinha, São Bartolomeu de Regatos, São Bento, Vila de São Mateus da Calheta, Terra Chã, Vila de São Sebastião, Agualva, Fonte do Bastardo, Fontinhas, Porto Martins, São Brás, Vila das Lajes, and Vila Nova, Terceira Island; and also Santo Espírito, Santa Maria Island.
May 7, 2026 47 Azorean parishes awarded Eco-Parish Programme Award for Excellence On Wednesday, the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, distinguished 47 Azorean parish councils that have stood out for their performance and contribution to environmental conservation, at an award-delivery ceremony held in Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. According to the government official, “the Eco-Parish Programme plays a fundamental role as a strategic tool for cooperation between the Regional Government and the parish councils in the cleaning and maintenance of public spaces, including watercourses and the coastline, involving local communities in environmental awareness and education initiatives.” Alonso Miguel emphasised that “this contribution extends beyond the cleaning, sanitation and improvement of our public spaces, helping to consolidate the Region’s image of sustainability and, above all, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Azorean population." “In fact, clean public spaces and unobstructed watercourses, combined with good environmental practices among the local population, are key factors in reducing the risks associated with various natural hazards, such as floods, flooding or landslides, to which the Azores are increasingly exposed and vulnerable as a result of climate change,” stated the government official. In this regard, he added that “preventive and effective action is crucial to avoiding significant material and financial losses, but above all, to strengthening safety and protection for the Azorean people." The Regional Secretary noted that “the Regional Government has been increasing the funds allocated to the Eco-Parish Programme over the years, intending to decisively empower and strengthen Parish Councils so that they can firmly embrace this important and demanding mission.” The Regional Secretary noted that, “in just five years, between 2021 and 2025, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action has allocated about €4.4 million to parish councils under this Programme. This is a substantially higher figure than that seen in the previous nine years, since 2012, when the programme was launched." Alonso Miguel emphasised that “this very significant financial investment, combined with commitment, dedication and sense of purpose of parish councils in effectively addressing these challenges, has led to the success of the Eco-Parish Programme, as demonstrated by the results achieved over recent years.” Alonso Miguel revealed that “in 2025, specifically, 126 parishes participated in the Eco-Parish programme, whose joint efforts enabled the monitoring and intervention along 240 km of watercourses and approximately 175 km of coastline across the nine islands of the archipelago.” According to the Regional Secretary, “as a result of these efforts, it was possible to ensure the removal and disposal of over a thousand tonnes of waste dumped in public spaces to appropriate final destinations, as well as to carry out 487 environmental awareness and education initiatives.” “These are, in fact, extraordinary figures, which clearly demonstrate the importance of this programme,” he stated. The government official highlighted that “47 parish councils from eight of the nine islands of the Azores were awarded a prize for excellence for their outstanding work in 2025 in the areas of cleaning, maintenance and environmental awareness, as well as for organising clean-up initiatives in public spaces involving the local community.” Alonso Miguel noted that “in addition to the award for excellence, an additional prize amounting to €1,000 was also awarded to each winning parish council, doubling the amount previously awarded, representing a total investment of €47,000. This will undoubtedly provide an additional incentive for parishes to strive for this level of excellence.” Alonso Miguel concluded by emphasising that “the delivery of these awards for excellence is, therefore, a fitting recognition of the efforts undertaken by each of the winning parish councils, as well as the dedication shown to this cause by their respective communities. It also reflects our gratitude and respect for the collective work—based on community engagement and shared responsibility—that has been carried out.” The following parish councils have been awarded the Eco-Parish Programme Award for Excellence for 2025: Ponta Delgada, Flores Island; Praia do Norte, Ribeirinha, Capelo, Salão, Praia de Almoxarife, and Pedro Miguel, Faial Island; São Mateus, Candelária, Madalena, Prainha, Piedade, and Calheta de Nesquim, Pico Island; Rosais, Norte Pequeno, and Santo Antão, São Jorge Island; Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Graciosa Island; Relva, Fajã de Cima, Conceição, Ribeirinha, Maia, Santa Cruz, Ribeira Seca, Calhetas, Matriz, São Brás, and Santana, São Miguel Island; Altares, Doze Ribeiras, Feteira, Vila do Porto Judeu, Raminho, Ribeirinha, São Bartolomeu de Regatos, São Bento, Vila de São Mateus da Calheta, Terra Chã, Vila de São Sebastião, Agualva, Fonte do Bastardo, Fontinhas, Porto Martins, São Brás, Vila das Lajes, and Vila Nova, Terceira Island; and also Santo Espírito, Santa Maria Island.
Nota de Imprensa
May 7, 2026 Vice-Presidency of the Government renews cooperation agreement with Fulbright Portugal The Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima, renewed on Wednesday the cooperation agreement between the Regional Government of the Azores and Fulbright Portugal, which will remain in force until 2029. The Vice-President of the Government highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Azores and the United States of America, noting that “it is a great pleasure to renew this commitment, both in the fields of science and culture, and to strengthen friendship ties." “It is absolutely extraordinary that Azorean students have the opportunity to live in the USA and American students to live in the Azores and in Portugal, getting to know our cultures and sharing ways of life,” he said. Artur Lima recalled that the U.S. Consulate in the Azores is the oldest, reiterating the historical importance of Lajes Air Base and the American presence in the Azores. In this regard, he expressed a desire to deepen cooperation under the Fulbright Programme, including the future Lajes Air Base Interpretation Centre. “The Azores and Lajes Air Base have been fundamental to the maintenance of world peace, and the USA has been the guarantor of that peace. A very close relationship with the USA was established at Lajes, and it continues to this day,” he emphasised. “If the Azores are today a developed, democratic and multi-party Autonomous Region, this is also due to the contribution of the USA, through the Lajes Air Base,” he stated. The Vice-President of the Government also mentioned the inclusion of health in RIS3 Azores, an area “of paramount importance to the Region.” According to him, the expansion of this cooperation could also involve “an increase in the number of scholarship holders” and cover the health sector, which will bring benefits to “hospitals, health centres and, above all, our health users.” On the occasion, the Vice-President thanked the U.S. Consul in the Azores, Rita Rico, for organising the initiative and for her role in strengthening friendly relations between the two parties, as well as the Executive Director of Fulbright Portugal, Otília Reis. Artur Lima also highlighted the work of the Regional Fund for Science in managing the agreement, ensuring that talented young people and researchers in the Azores receive the financial and logistical support they need to succeed in the world’s most demanding environments. The renewal of the cooperation agreement reiterates the commitment of the Regional Government of the Azores, through the Vice-Presidency, to the strategy of training and internationalising young Azorean researchers via the Fulbright Programme, a benchmark in academic and cultural exchange between Portugal and the USA. Since 2022, when the agreement was consolidated between the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores and Fulbright Portugal, six Portuguese researchers, including two from the University of the Azores, and seven U.S. researchers have participated in this programme, with projects in the fields of aerospace engineering, computer science and international relations.
May 7, 2026 Vice-Presidency of the Government renews cooperation agreement with Fulbright Portugal The Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima, renewed on Wednesday the cooperation agreement between the Regional Government of the Azores and Fulbright Portugal, which will remain in force until 2029. The Vice-President of the Government highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Azores and the United States of America, noting that “it is a great pleasure to renew this commitment, both in the fields of science and culture, and to strengthen friendship ties." “It is absolutely extraordinary that Azorean students have the opportunity to live in the USA and American students to live in the Azores and in Portugal, getting to know our cultures and sharing ways of life,” he said. Artur Lima recalled that the U.S. Consulate in the Azores is the oldest, reiterating the historical importance of Lajes Air Base and the American presence in the Azores. In this regard, he expressed a desire to deepen cooperation under the Fulbright Programme, including the future Lajes Air Base Interpretation Centre. “The Azores and Lajes Air Base have been fundamental to the maintenance of world peace, and the USA has been the guarantor of that peace. A very close relationship with the USA was established at Lajes, and it continues to this day,” he emphasised. “If the Azores are today a developed, democratic and multi-party Autonomous Region, this is also due to the contribution of the USA, through the Lajes Air Base,” he stated. The Vice-President of the Government also mentioned the inclusion of health in RIS3 Azores, an area “of paramount importance to the Region.” According to him, the expansion of this cooperation could also involve “an increase in the number of scholarship holders” and cover the health sector, which will bring benefits to “hospitals, health centres and, above all, our health users.” On the occasion, the Vice-President thanked the U.S. Consul in the Azores, Rita Rico, for organising the initiative and for her role in strengthening friendly relations between the two parties, as well as the Executive Director of Fulbright Portugal, Otília Reis. Artur Lima also highlighted the work of the Regional Fund for Science in managing the agreement, ensuring that talented young people and researchers in the Azores receive the financial and logistical support they need to succeed in the world’s most demanding environments. The renewal of the cooperation agreement reiterates the commitment of the Regional Government of the Azores, through the Vice-Presidency, to the strategy of training and internationalising young Azorean researchers via the Fulbright Programme, a benchmark in academic and cultural exchange between Portugal and the USA. Since 2022, when the agreement was consolidated between the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores and Fulbright Portugal, six Portuguese researchers, including two from the University of the Azores, and seven U.S. researchers have participated in this programme, with projects in the fields of aerospace engineering, computer science and international relations.
