Regional Government approves €200,000 in incentives for developing Azorean Handicrafts - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

Artisans and Craft Production Units (UPAs) in the Azores who applied this year for the Incentive System for the Development of Azorean Handicrafts (SIDART) will receive public support totalling €200,000, as recently approved by the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro.

A total of 150 applications were approved, including 71  for co-funding investments in UPAs, 44 for projects to improve and innovate craft products, 30 for investment projects to boost the craft sector, and five applications for investments in craft training.

"SIDART is a unique incentive system in the country. Given its scope and predictability, this system has stimulated, every year, a series of investments not only in the defence and safeguarding of craft production, but also in its promotion, qualification, and innovation," explained Maria João Carreiro.

For the first time, the submission, processing and validation of applications took place exclusively on the Azorean Handicrafts portal, at artesanato.azores.gov.pt, simplifying procedures and allowing applicants to monitor all stages of the process.

“The new Azorean Handicrafts website, launched in December 2024, has streamlined procedures and, above all, further strengthened communication and proximity between the Crafts and Design Centre of the Azores [CADA], a public service of excellence, and artisans and craft companies,” stated the Regional Secretary.

Applications for SIDART open annually. The amount of support varies between a minimum of €200 and a maximum of €20,000, non-refundable, up to a limit of 50% of eligible expenses for applications from the islands of São Miguel and Terceira and 60% for the other islands of the archipelago - Santa Maria, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo.

In May 2022, the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government introduced improvements to the SIDART regulations, including the possibility of subsidising accommodation expenses in Portugal or abroad for participation in trade fairs, or subsidising expenses already incurred and not foreseen, thereby adapting this system to the needs of artisans.