Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Portuguese Language Courses for Speakers of Other Languages with approved funding
Portuguese Language Courses for Speakers of Other Languages with approved funding
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Azores with pilot project to collect and recycle used coffee capsules
Azores with pilot project to collect and recycle used coffee capsules
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
Berta Cabral says Azorean Energy Strategy 2030 is ambitious and aims to decarbonise and increase renewable energy sources
Berta Cabral says Azorean Energy Strategy 2030 is ambitious and aims to decarbonise and increase renewable energy sources
Secretário Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
"Integration Campus" promotes inclusion in regional university context
"Integration Campus" promotes inclusion in regional university context
Nota de Imprensa
May 16, 2025 Portuguese Language Courses for Speakers of Other Languages with approved funding This week, the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, signed the funding contracts for the 2025 Portuguese Language Courses for Speakers of Other Languages on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira. The contracts were signed by the organisations responsible for promoting the courses: CRESAÇOR - Migrant Support Office, chaired by Artur Martins, which provides training in São Miguel, and AIPA - Association of Immigrants in the Azores, chaired by Leoter Viegas, responsible for the course in Terceira. The signing was attended by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, and took place in Ponta Delgada. These courses are aimed at adult foreign citizens residing in the Autonomous Region of the Azores whose mother tongue is not Portuguese. They aim to contribute to the full integration of immigrants residing in the archipelago through their professional and personal development. On Terceira Island, the course began on March 17, after working hours, with the participation of 20 trainees, aged between 24 and 76, from nine countries: USA, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Iran, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Spain. On São Miguel Island, the training began on April 7 with 20 participants, aged between 22 and 57, from nine countries: Belarus, Colombia, USA, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and Ukraine. The Portuguese Language courses for speakers of other languages are promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities and the Regional Directorate for Education and Educational Administration. They are regulated by Ordinance 49/2012 of April 27, amended and republished by Ordinance 56/2014 of August 19.
May 16, 2025 Portuguese Language Courses for Speakers of Other Languages with approved funding This week, the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, signed the funding contracts for the 2025 Portuguese Language Courses for Speakers of Other Languages on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira. The contracts were signed by the organisations responsible for promoting the courses: CRESAÇOR - Migrant Support Office, chaired by Artur Martins, which provides training in São Miguel, and AIPA - Association of Immigrants in the Azores, chaired by Leoter Viegas, responsible for the course in Terceira. The signing was attended by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, and took place in Ponta Delgada. These courses are aimed at adult foreign citizens residing in the Autonomous Region of the Azores whose mother tongue is not Portuguese. They aim to contribute to the full integration of immigrants residing in the archipelago through their professional and personal development. On Terceira Island, the course began on March 17, after working hours, with the participation of 20 trainees, aged between 24 and 76, from nine countries: USA, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Iran, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Spain. On São Miguel Island, the training began on April 7 with 20 participants, aged between 22 and 57, from nine countries: Belarus, Colombia, USA, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and Ukraine. The Portuguese Language courses for speakers of other languages are promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities and the Regional Directorate for Education and Educational Administration. They are regulated by Ordinance 49/2012 of April 27, amended and republished by Ordinance 56/2014 of August 19.
Nota de Imprensa
May 16, 2025 Azores with pilot project to collect and recycle used coffee capsules The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, chaired the presentation and official launch of the pilot project to collect and recycle used coffee capsules in the Region, held in Ponta Delgada, symbolically celebrating International Recycling Day, which is marked on Saturday, May 17. Alonso Miguel explained that “this project will be implemented in the 19 municipalities of the Region, in collaboration between the Regional Government, municipalities and RECAPS; the latter comprises six coffee production companies, owners of 14 brands, and the Industrial and Commercial Association of Coffee." According to the Regional Secretary, "the project will run for five years, representing an investment of about 60 thousand Euros by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action. It will make 130 personalised containers available, distributed throughout the Region's municipalities, and provide financial compensation to support waste management operators for the costs incurred with transporting the capsules to final recycling destinations outside the Region." Alonso Miguel emphasised that "the project is mainly intended to remove this type of waste from the undifferentiated route as, due to its characteristics, namely its shape and small size, it often gets lost in transport and escapes sorting systems, in addition to having a high potential for contamination in the composting process arising from mechanical and biological processing systems." The Regional Secretary for the Environment emphasised that ‘the implementation of this project, which has now been presented, corresponds to one of the measures set out in the recently published Agenda for the Circular Economy of the Azores. It responds to different challenges, firstly by promoting segregation at source, an essential aspect for guaranteeing the quality and viability of recycling, and secondly by anticipating the new European requirements, which stipulate that capsules should be classified as packaging, with compulsory separate collection." He explained that "this initiative also fills a gap, since, according to the legislation in force in the Region, the retail, accommodation and catering sectors are already required to separate this type of waste, and until now there was no specific route to ensure it was sent for recycling." The Regional Secretary took the opportunity to recall some of the investments already made by the Regional Government in terms of waste prevention and management. He highlighted "the restructuring of the Waste Processing Centres on the islands of Faial, Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Santa Maria, to adapt to the process of selective collection of bio-waste, which represented an investment of about 6.1 million euros by the Government." He also mentioned the "doubling of the annual investment allocated to the Eco-Parish Programme to one million Euros, enabling our parish councils to clean up public spaces, including streams and the coastline, with the removal and forwarding of waste to the appropriate destination." The government official that a "new procedure was recently launched to continue the recovery and modernisation interventions at the Region's Waste Processing Centres, to improve the recycling processes, with the installation of new sorting lines in the Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge, Santa Maria and Faial infrastructures, an overall investment of about three million Euros. He concluded: "With all these investments, a strong commitment to environmental education and awareness, the collaboration and coordination between the competent bodies, local authorities, waste management operators, schools and other organisations, and the contribution of society in general and of each Azorean, we have ensured a positive course in the Region as far as waste management is concerned. These efforts have resulted in a 17% increase in recycling over the last two years in the Azores."
May 16, 2025 Azores with pilot project to collect and recycle used coffee capsules The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, chaired the presentation and official launch of the pilot project to collect and recycle used coffee capsules in the Region, held in Ponta Delgada, symbolically celebrating International Recycling Day, which is marked on Saturday, May 17. Alonso Miguel explained that “this project will be implemented in the 19 municipalities of the Region, in collaboration between the Regional Government, municipalities and RECAPS; the latter comprises six coffee production companies, owners of 14 brands, and the Industrial and Commercial Association of Coffee." According to the Regional Secretary, "the project will run for five years, representing an investment of about 60 thousand Euros by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action. It will make 130 personalised containers available, distributed throughout the Region's municipalities, and provide financial compensation to support waste management operators for the costs incurred with transporting the capsules to final recycling destinations outside the Region." Alonso Miguel emphasised that "the project is mainly intended to remove this type of waste from the undifferentiated route as, due to its characteristics, namely its shape and small size, it often gets lost in transport and escapes sorting systems, in addition to having a high potential for contamination in the composting process arising from mechanical and biological processing systems." The Regional Secretary for the Environment emphasised that ‘the implementation of this project, which has now been presented, corresponds to one of the measures set out in the recently published Agenda for the Circular Economy of the Azores. It responds to different challenges, firstly by promoting segregation at source, an essential aspect for guaranteeing the quality and viability of recycling, and secondly by anticipating the new European requirements, which stipulate that capsules should be classified as packaging, with compulsory separate collection." He explained that "this initiative also fills a gap, since, according to the legislation in force in the Region, the retail, accommodation and catering sectors are already required to separate this type of waste, and until now there was no specific route to ensure it was sent for recycling." The Regional Secretary took the opportunity to recall some of the investments already made by the Regional Government in terms of waste prevention and management. He highlighted "the restructuring of the Waste Processing Centres on the islands of Faial, Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Santa Maria, to adapt to the process of selective collection of bio-waste, which represented an investment of about 6.1 million euros by the Government." He also mentioned the "doubling of the annual investment allocated to the Eco-Parish Programme to one million Euros, enabling our parish councils to clean up public spaces, including streams and the coastline, with the removal and forwarding of waste to the appropriate destination." The government official that a "new procedure was recently launched to continue the recovery and modernisation interventions at the Region's Waste Processing Centres, to improve the recycling processes, with the installation of new sorting lines in the Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge, Santa Maria and Faial infrastructures, an overall investment of about three million Euros. He concluded: "With all these investments, a strong commitment to environmental education and awareness, the collaboration and coordination between the competent bodies, local authorities, waste management operators, schools and other organisations, and the contribution of society in general and of each Azorean, we have ensured a positive course in the Region as far as waste management is concerned. These efforts have resulted in a 17% increase in recycling over the last two years in the Azores."
Nota de Imprensa
May 15, 2025 Berta Cabral says Azorean Energy Strategy 2030 is ambitious and aims to decarbonise and increase renewable energy sources The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, defended on Wednesday in Ponta Delgada that the Azorean Energy Strategy 2030 "is a guiding document with ambitious goals for decarbonising the regional economy and increasing renewable energy sources." The government official, who spoke at the opening session of CE4EUI - Clean Energy For EU Islands - Forum 2025, stated that the aim is to "drastically reduce dependence on fossil fuels and move towards greater energy autonomy, based on efficiency and sustainability." She continued: "By 2030, we aim to reduce the use of butane gas by 50%; increase energy efficiency by 25% in land transport; increase energy efficiency in buildings by 28%; improve energy efficiency by 40% in companies; achieve 70% renewable electricity; improve energy efficiency by 33%; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%." However, Berta Cabral called for caution in this process, stating that "the green transition is necessary and desirable but requires a responsible, sustained and technically sound approach. The recent blackout that affected several countries, especially Spain and Portugal, should serve as a warning about the risks that can arise in an increasingly complex electricity system." Berta Cabral stated that the EU Clean Energy for Islands Initiative "is an essential tool for achieving one of the most important goals of our time: energy transition." According to her, European islands "should be regarded as living laboratories to facilitate this transition. This is an opportunity and a priority we cannot miss, and the “Clean Energy for EU Islands” initiative has been a key catalyst for mobilising, empowering and financing this transformation." "The Azores are committed to this process and were even one of the first island regions to join the initiative. We will make the most of the cooperation, technical assistance and resources it provides, and we will work to turn this commitment into action, tangible projects and measurable results," she said. The Regional Secretary also pointed out that this challenge is even more demanding for the Azores. She explained: "We are an outermost region, made up of nine islands, with nine independent microgrids, no interconnection, limited storage capacity and little capacity to respond to extreme events. As such, we must manage the transition with stability and a firm grasp of technological and financial reality." Berta Cabral also assured that the Regional Government will continue to follow the path of sustainable development with determination, exploring all the technical and financial possibilities to promote the decarbonisation of the economy and greater use of clean energy sources.
May 15, 2025 Berta Cabral says Azorean Energy Strategy 2030 is ambitious and aims to decarbonise and increase renewable energy sources The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, defended on Wednesday in Ponta Delgada that the Azorean Energy Strategy 2030 "is a guiding document with ambitious goals for decarbonising the regional economy and increasing renewable energy sources." The government official, who spoke at the opening session of CE4EUI - Clean Energy For EU Islands - Forum 2025, stated that the aim is to "drastically reduce dependence on fossil fuels and move towards greater energy autonomy, based on efficiency and sustainability." She continued: "By 2030, we aim to reduce the use of butane gas by 50%; increase energy efficiency by 25% in land transport; increase energy efficiency in buildings by 28%; improve energy efficiency by 40% in companies; achieve 70% renewable electricity; improve energy efficiency by 33%; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%." However, Berta Cabral called for caution in this process, stating that "the green transition is necessary and desirable but requires a responsible, sustained and technically sound approach. The recent blackout that affected several countries, especially Spain and Portugal, should serve as a warning about the risks that can arise in an increasingly complex electricity system." Berta Cabral stated that the EU Clean Energy for Islands Initiative "is an essential tool for achieving one of the most important goals of our time: energy transition." According to her, European islands "should be regarded as living laboratories to facilitate this transition. This is an opportunity and a priority we cannot miss, and the “Clean Energy for EU Islands” initiative has been a key catalyst for mobilising, empowering and financing this transformation." "The Azores are committed to this process and were even one of the first island regions to join the initiative. We will make the most of the cooperation, technical assistance and resources it provides, and we will work to turn this commitment into action, tangible projects and measurable results," she said. The Regional Secretary also pointed out that this challenge is even more demanding for the Azores. She explained: "We are an outermost region, made up of nine islands, with nine independent microgrids, no interconnection, limited storage capacity and little capacity to respond to extreme events. As such, we must manage the transition with stability and a firm grasp of technological and financial reality." Berta Cabral also assured that the Regional Government will continue to follow the path of sustainable development with determination, exploring all the technical and financial possibilities to promote the decarbonisation of the economy and greater use of clean energy sources.
Nota de Imprensa
May 14, 2025 "Integration Campus" promotes inclusion in regional university context The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, is promoting the "Integration Campus" initiative on May 19 and 20 May at the University of the Azores in Angra do Heroísmo and Ponta Delgada. With a view to encouraging reflection as well as academic and social debate on interculturality and integration, especially in the university context, this activity aims to create a space for sharing experiences, active listening and building bridges between cultures, valuing diversity as an essential element of academic and civic life. This initiative is a continuation of the "Integration School" project, previously developed by the Regional Directorate for the Communities with Azorean secondary schools. It is now aimed at higher education at a time when there is a growing presence of foreign students in Azorean academic institutions. The initiative, which is open to the public, includes two conferences dedicated to interculturality and the integration of foreign students in Azorean higher education. The opening session is scheduled for May 19, at 10:30 a.m., at the Auditorium of the Angra do Heroísmo University campus. It will feature a speech delivered by Professor Rosana Albuquerque, from Universidade Aberta (Open University), who will present a conference on the challenges, obstacles and cultural diversity contributions in an academic context. This will be followed by the presentation of Professor Rosalina Gabriel, a lecturer at the University of the Azores, who will share her experience of accompanying international students along with an account from foreign student Martha Vounats, a Greek national studying at the Terceira campus, who will share her integration experience in the university. The second conference will be held the following day, May 20, at the same time, at Amphitheatre VIII of the University of the Azores, in Ponta Delgada, and will adopt the same format. This session will once again be attended by Professor Rosana Albuquerque, now accompanied by Paulo Fontes, a professor at the University of the Azores, and foreign student Amadu Bela Djalo, a native from Guinea-Bissau studying at the Ponta Delgada campus, who will share his personal and higher education experiences in the Azores. Both sessions have free admission and will end with a debate open to the academic community, promoting reflection on inclusion, institutional empathy and the promotion of cultural identities in a university context. The Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, will lead and moderate the debates. Aware of the importance of promoting such initiatives, the Regional Government actively supports actions that encourage dialogue, the sharing of experiences and the construction of a more inclusive academic environment, open to interculturality, while strengthening cultural identities and ensuring the integration of all students.
May 14, 2025 "Integration Campus" promotes inclusion in regional university context The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, is promoting the "Integration Campus" initiative on May 19 and 20 May at the University of the Azores in Angra do Heroísmo and Ponta Delgada. With a view to encouraging reflection as well as academic and social debate on interculturality and integration, especially in the university context, this activity aims to create a space for sharing experiences, active listening and building bridges between cultures, valuing diversity as an essential element of academic and civic life. This initiative is a continuation of the "Integration School" project, previously developed by the Regional Directorate for the Communities with Azorean secondary schools. It is now aimed at higher education at a time when there is a growing presence of foreign students in Azorean academic institutions. The initiative, which is open to the public, includes two conferences dedicated to interculturality and the integration of foreign students in Azorean higher education. The opening session is scheduled for May 19, at 10:30 a.m., at the Auditorium of the Angra do Heroísmo University campus. It will feature a speech delivered by Professor Rosana Albuquerque, from Universidade Aberta (Open University), who will present a conference on the challenges, obstacles and cultural diversity contributions in an academic context. This will be followed by the presentation of Professor Rosalina Gabriel, a lecturer at the University of the Azores, who will share her experience of accompanying international students along with an account from foreign student Martha Vounats, a Greek national studying at the Terceira campus, who will share her integration experience in the university. The second conference will be held the following day, May 20, at the same time, at Amphitheatre VIII of the University of the Azores, in Ponta Delgada, and will adopt the same format. This session will once again be attended by Professor Rosana Albuquerque, now accompanied by Paulo Fontes, a professor at the University of the Azores, and foreign student Amadu Bela Djalo, a native from Guinea-Bissau studying at the Ponta Delgada campus, who will share his personal and higher education experiences in the Azores. Both sessions have free admission and will end with a debate open to the academic community, promoting reflection on inclusion, institutional empathy and the promotion of cultural identities in a university context. The Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, will lead and moderate the debates. Aware of the importance of promoting such initiatives, the Regional Government actively supports actions that encourage dialogue, the sharing of experiences and the construction of a more inclusive academic environment, open to interculturality, while strengthening cultural identities and ensuring the integration of all students.
Nota de Imprensa
May 13, 2025 Berta Cabral considers cooperation with Armed Forces fundamental for the Azores The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, stated today in Ponta Delgada that the permanent presence of the Armed Forces in the Azores is fundamental and should always be recognised. Berta Cabral spoke at the Conceição Palace, on behalf of the President of the Regional Government, at an audience to exchange greetings with the students attending the General Officer Promotion Course from the Institute for Higher Military Studies. The audience was requested by the Commander of the Military University Institute, Vice-Admiral Pedro Sousa Costa, who was also present at the hearing, to address issues relevant to the Region. She praised the joint missions to assist the population, the support for Civil Protection, the emergency medical transport and evacuation, the provision of emergency supplies, such as the most recent case on the island of Flores, the rescue missions and logistical support, as well as the patrolling of the Azores sea. "We are counting on the military to recognise the Region's national strategic responsibilities, stimulate institutional cooperation as a pillar of resilience, enhance the Azores' Atlantic centrality, promote innovation, sustainability and the maritime projection of the Region and the country, strengthen the role of the Region and the country in Atlantic cohesion and regional diplomacy, and defend the principles of national solidarity, territorial cohesion and subsidiarity," she said. Berta Cabral took the opportunity to talk about key issues for the Region, such as Atlantic centrality, economic structure, tourism as an economic pillar, transport and mobility, strategic infrastructures and cooperation with the Armed Forces. Pointing out the Azores' leadership in the undeniable sustainability of regional development, Berta Cabral emphasised the fact that the archipelago is the first in the world to be certified as a "Sustainable Destination" and the only one with "Gold Level" certification, in addition to being a pioneer in the Marine Protected Areas Network. She stressed the importance of the Armed Forces to the greater national goal of protecting the sea. She emphasised the vital role of the Navy and Air Force in supporting a movement that is not solely dedicated to meeting the European Commission's targets but to take on a decisive strategy of defending our marine resources, and promoting and projecting Portugal. The Regional Secretary also spoke about the economic transformation in the Region and emphasised the reduction in the tax burden, as well as the 5.6% unemployment rate in 2024, the lowest in the country. Berta Cabral also addressed issues concerning the entire regional transport system - air, sea and land - and the challenges relating to regional infrastructures, from their multiplication, pressure from climate change and extreme weather phenomena, maintenance and evolution needs, as well as their strategic development. The Regional Secretary pointed out the civil, strategic and even possibly military importance of structures such as the Santa Maria Space Teleport, submarine cables, weather radars, and Science and Technology Parks.
May 13, 2025 Berta Cabral considers cooperation with Armed Forces fundamental for the Azores The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, stated today in Ponta Delgada that the permanent presence of the Armed Forces in the Azores is fundamental and should always be recognised. Berta Cabral spoke at the Conceição Palace, on behalf of the President of the Regional Government, at an audience to exchange greetings with the students attending the General Officer Promotion Course from the Institute for Higher Military Studies. The audience was requested by the Commander of the Military University Institute, Vice-Admiral Pedro Sousa Costa, who was also present at the hearing, to address issues relevant to the Region. She praised the joint missions to assist the population, the support for Civil Protection, the emergency medical transport and evacuation, the provision of emergency supplies, such as the most recent case on the island of Flores, the rescue missions and logistical support, as well as the patrolling of the Azores sea. "We are counting on the military to recognise the Region's national strategic responsibilities, stimulate institutional cooperation as a pillar of resilience, enhance the Azores' Atlantic centrality, promote innovation, sustainability and the maritime projection of the Region and the country, strengthen the role of the Region and the country in Atlantic cohesion and regional diplomacy, and defend the principles of national solidarity, territorial cohesion and subsidiarity," she said. Berta Cabral took the opportunity to talk about key issues for the Region, such as Atlantic centrality, economic structure, tourism as an economic pillar, transport and mobility, strategic infrastructures and cooperation with the Armed Forces. Pointing out the Azores' leadership in the undeniable sustainability of regional development, Berta Cabral emphasised the fact that the archipelago is the first in the world to be certified as a "Sustainable Destination" and the only one with "Gold Level" certification, in addition to being a pioneer in the Marine Protected Areas Network. She stressed the importance of the Armed Forces to the greater national goal of protecting the sea. She emphasised the vital role of the Navy and Air Force in supporting a movement that is not solely dedicated to meeting the European Commission's targets but to take on a decisive strategy of defending our marine resources, and promoting and projecting Portugal. The Regional Secretary also spoke about the economic transformation in the Region and emphasised the reduction in the tax burden, as well as the 5.6% unemployment rate in 2024, the lowest in the country. Berta Cabral also addressed issues concerning the entire regional transport system - air, sea and land - and the challenges relating to regional infrastructures, from their multiplication, pressure from climate change and extreme weather phenomena, maintenance and evolution needs, as well as their strategic development. The Regional Secretary pointed out the civil, strategic and even possibly military importance of structures such as the Santa Maria Space Teleport, submarine cables, weather radars, and Science and Technology Parks.
