Presidência do Governo Regional
José Manuel Bolieiro delivers 13 new houses and reiterates "crystal clear" priority on housing
José Manuel Bolieiro delivers 13 new houses and reiterates "crystal clear" priority on housing
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Governo dos Açores promove I Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores em Lisboa
Governo dos Açores promove I Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores em Lisboa
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
450 Azorean students awarded scholarships for 2025/2026 academic year
450 Azorean students awarded scholarships for 2025/2026 academic year
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Family Allowance Supplement for second half of 2025 already paid
Family Allowance Supplement for second half of 2025 already paid
Nota de Imprensa
January 19, 2026 José Manuel Bolieiro delivers 13 new houses and reiterates "crystal clear" priority on housing The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the delivery ceremony of 13 new multi-family dwellings in the São Brás Neighbourhood on Terceira Island, marking a moment he considered the fulfilment of a public commitment. "Today, on behalf of the Government of the Azores, I am fulfilling this goal," he said, emphasising that the Government's responsibility is to "make social welfare and support for individuals and families a reality." As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the 13 houses represent an investment of €2.4 million (including VAT) and comprise eight two-bedroom apartments, four three-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom apartment. Overall, 13 households will benefit from this investment, covering 42 people (25 adults and 17 minors). The houses are intended for permanent residence and are allocated on a lease with purchase option scheme, a solution designed to provide stability for families while paving the way for a safer transition to ownership. The purchase option can be exercised by the tenant one year after signing the lease agreement. The public tender ran from August 15 to September 30, 2025, with 257 applications submitted. The head of the Azorean Government stressed that the Government's political priority is focused on people. "We have defined people and families as a priority for governance," he said, adding that "people and families are the main purpose of the Government's mission, the political mission and public investment." The President of the Government also pointed to the RRP as a decisive instrument for accelerating responses, highlighting "the important leverage that EU funds have given us" as this aid has been "crucial" in ensuring goals. For José Manuel Bolieiro, housing has been taking on an increasingly central place in the Government's action, given its importance for the stability and future of families. "Housing has emerged as one of the top priorities," he said, noting that increasing the housing supply in the Azores is "necessary for the happiness and life goals of families." "As such, we have a crystal-clear priority regarding housing supply," he emphasised. The ceremony also provided an opportunity to assess the RRP Housing programme on Terceira Island. In terms of new construction projects, 37 houses have already been completed (including the 13 in São Brás), and 39 are currently under construction. In terms of renovations, 53 projects have been completed, and 139 are under construction. Overall, 100% of the RRP Housing procedures on Terceira have been launched, representing a total investment of €25,163,415.36, plus VAT. At a regional level, the Regional Government has also launched all RRP Housing procedures (for the completion of projects), with a total of 767 housing responses, including renovations, constructions and plot allocation, with a total investment of €65 million. The ceremony was attended by the Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, and the Mayor of Praia da Vitória, Vânia Ferreira.
January 19, 2026 José Manuel Bolieiro delivers 13 new houses and reiterates "crystal clear" priority on housing The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the delivery ceremony of 13 new multi-family dwellings in the São Brás Neighbourhood on Terceira Island, marking a moment he considered the fulfilment of a public commitment. "Today, on behalf of the Government of the Azores, I am fulfilling this goal," he said, emphasising that the Government's responsibility is to "make social welfare and support for individuals and families a reality." As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the 13 houses represent an investment of €2.4 million (including VAT) and comprise eight two-bedroom apartments, four three-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom apartment. Overall, 13 households will benefit from this investment, covering 42 people (25 adults and 17 minors). The houses are intended for permanent residence and are allocated on a lease with purchase option scheme, a solution designed to provide stability for families while paving the way for a safer transition to ownership. The purchase option can be exercised by the tenant one year after signing the lease agreement. The public tender ran from August 15 to September 30, 2025, with 257 applications submitted. The head of the Azorean Government stressed that the Government's political priority is focused on people. "We have defined people and families as a priority for governance," he said, adding that "people and families are the main purpose of the Government's mission, the political mission and public investment." The President of the Government also pointed to the RRP as a decisive instrument for accelerating responses, highlighting "the important leverage that EU funds have given us" as this aid has been "crucial" in ensuring goals. For José Manuel Bolieiro, housing has been taking on an increasingly central place in the Government's action, given its importance for the stability and future of families. "Housing has emerged as one of the top priorities," he said, noting that increasing the housing supply in the Azores is "necessary for the happiness and life goals of families." "As such, we have a crystal-clear priority regarding housing supply," he emphasised. The ceremony also provided an opportunity to assess the RRP Housing programme on Terceira Island. In terms of new construction projects, 37 houses have already been completed (including the 13 in São Brás), and 39 are currently under construction. In terms of renovations, 53 projects have been completed, and 139 are under construction. Overall, 100% of the RRP Housing procedures on Terceira have been launched, representing a total investment of €25,163,415.36, plus VAT. At a regional level, the Regional Government has also launched all RRP Housing procedures (for the completion of projects), with a total of 767 housing responses, including renovations, constructions and plot allocation, with a total investment of €65 million. The ceremony was attended by the Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, and the Mayor of Praia da Vitória, Vânia Ferreira.
Nota de Imprensa
January 20, 2026 Governo dos Açores promove I Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores em Lisboa O primeiro Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores realiza-se no próximo sábado, dia 24 de janeiro, na Casa dos Açores em Lisboa. A iniciativa, promovida pelo Governo dos Açores, conta com a participação do Secretário Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades, Paulo Estêvão, e do Secretário Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, António Ventura, evidenciando a relevância do papel das Casas dos Açores na promoção da identidade, cultura e economia açorianas em Portugal. O encontro reúne dirigentes das Casas dos Açores sediadas em território nacional, nomeadamente em Lisboa, Norte, Centro e Região Autónoma da Madeira, bem como representantes das Casas em processo de formalização, previstas para 2026, no Algarve e no Alentejo. Os trabalhos iniciam-se pelas 10h30, com o Secretário Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades, Paulo Estevão, propondo a criação de uma rede nacional de Casas dos Açores, que permitirá articular iniciativas conjuntas e promover a itinerância cultural entre as Casas já constituídas e as que se encontram em processo de formalização. A partir das 11h30 tem lugar uma ação de formação sobre a Marca Açores, com a presença do Secretário Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, António Ventura, para capacitar as Casas na promoção nacional dos produtos açorianos. Durante esta fase, os participantes terão a oportunidade de conhecer em detalhe as estratégias da Marca Açores e refletir sobre formas de divulgar os produtos regionais. Participam também neste Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores o Diretor Regional das Comunidades, José Andrade, e o diretor do Gabinete de Gestão e promoção da Marca Açores, Paulo Teves. Pela Casa dos Açores em Lisboa participam a presidente Delfina Porto e o vice-presidente Ricardo Vieira; pela Casa dos Açores do Norte, o presidente Miguel Azevedo e a tesoureira Maria João Botelho; pela Casa dos Açores da Madeira, o presidente da direção Carlos Madruga da Costa e o presidente da assembleia geral Paulo Sousa; pela Casa dos Açores da Região Centro, o presidente da direção Francisco Coelho Gil e a presidente da Assembleia-Geral Paula Amaral; e pela Casa dos Açores da Região do Algarve, em processo de formalização, os seus impulsionadores Paula Medeiros e Rui Jacinto. O I Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores constitui um momento estruturante para reforçar a cooperação entre as Casas, promovendo uma atuação articulada e estratégica na afirmação da identidade açoriana, na valorização dos seus produtos e a afirmação da Marca Açores em Portugal.
January 20, 2026 Governo dos Açores promove I Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores em Lisboa O primeiro Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores realiza-se no próximo sábado, dia 24 de janeiro, na Casa dos Açores em Lisboa. A iniciativa, promovida pelo Governo dos Açores, conta com a participação do Secretário Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades, Paulo Estêvão, e do Secretário Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, António Ventura, evidenciando a relevância do papel das Casas dos Açores na promoção da identidade, cultura e economia açorianas em Portugal. O encontro reúne dirigentes das Casas dos Açores sediadas em território nacional, nomeadamente em Lisboa, Norte, Centro e Região Autónoma da Madeira, bem como representantes das Casas em processo de formalização, previstas para 2026, no Algarve e no Alentejo. Os trabalhos iniciam-se pelas 10h30, com o Secretário Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades, Paulo Estevão, propondo a criação de uma rede nacional de Casas dos Açores, que permitirá articular iniciativas conjuntas e promover a itinerância cultural entre as Casas já constituídas e as que se encontram em processo de formalização. A partir das 11h30 tem lugar uma ação de formação sobre a Marca Açores, com a presença do Secretário Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, António Ventura, para capacitar as Casas na promoção nacional dos produtos açorianos. Durante esta fase, os participantes terão a oportunidade de conhecer em detalhe as estratégias da Marca Açores e refletir sobre formas de divulgar os produtos regionais. Participam também neste Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores o Diretor Regional das Comunidades, José Andrade, e o diretor do Gabinete de Gestão e promoção da Marca Açores, Paulo Teves. Pela Casa dos Açores em Lisboa participam a presidente Delfina Porto e o vice-presidente Ricardo Vieira; pela Casa dos Açores do Norte, o presidente Miguel Azevedo e a tesoureira Maria João Botelho; pela Casa dos Açores da Madeira, o presidente da direção Carlos Madruga da Costa e o presidente da assembleia geral Paulo Sousa; pela Casa dos Açores da Região Centro, o presidente da direção Francisco Coelho Gil e a presidente da Assembleia-Geral Paula Amaral; e pela Casa dos Açores da Região do Algarve, em processo de formalização, os seus impulsionadores Paula Medeiros e Rui Jacinto. O I Encontro Nacional de Casas dos Açores constitui um momento estruturante para reforçar a cooperação entre as Casas, promovendo uma atuação articulada e estratégica na afirmação da identidade açoriana, na valorização dos seus produtos e a afirmação da Marca Açores em Portugal.
Nota Informativa
January 20, 2026 450 Azorean students awarded scholarships for 2025/2026 academic year The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, reports that 450 Azorean students have already received their scholarship payments for the 2025/2026 academic year, under the Scholarship Programme for Higher Education Students. Funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and the Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, this programme aims to support higher education students in difficult or economically disadvantaged situations who have been residents of the Region for at least three years. It consists of an annual scholarship totalling €2,750, paid in four quarterly instalments. A total of 998 students applied this academic year, with 653 applications approved, resulting in effective support for the aforementioned 450 beneficiaries: 150 scholarships funded under the RRP and 300 under the Regional Budget. According to Mónica Seidi, this investment reflects the Regional Government's commitment to promoting equal opportunities in access to higher education, contributing to the reduction of social inequalities and the enhancement of the academic qualifications among young Azoreans. “Since 2021, 1,800 scholarships have been awarded, representing an overall investment of €4.95 million, a significant effort demonstrating the priority this Government attaches to social support for students and their families,” emphasised the Regional Secretary. The Regional Government thus reiterates its ongoing commitment to public policies aimed at promoting academic success, social cohesion and sustainable development in the Region.
January 20, 2026 450 Azorean students awarded scholarships for 2025/2026 academic year The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, reports that 450 Azorean students have already received their scholarship payments for the 2025/2026 academic year, under the Scholarship Programme for Higher Education Students. Funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and the Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, this programme aims to support higher education students in difficult or economically disadvantaged situations who have been residents of the Region for at least three years. It consists of an annual scholarship totalling €2,750, paid in four quarterly instalments. A total of 998 students applied this academic year, with 653 applications approved, resulting in effective support for the aforementioned 450 beneficiaries: 150 scholarships funded under the RRP and 300 under the Regional Budget. According to Mónica Seidi, this investment reflects the Regional Government's commitment to promoting equal opportunities in access to higher education, contributing to the reduction of social inequalities and the enhancement of the academic qualifications among young Azoreans. “Since 2021, 1,800 scholarships have been awarded, representing an overall investment of €4.95 million, a significant effort demonstrating the priority this Government attaches to social support for students and their families,” emphasised the Regional Secretary. The Regional Government thus reiterates its ongoing commitment to public policies aimed at promoting academic success, social cohesion and sustainable development in the Region.
Nota de Imprensa
January 19, 2026 Family Allowance Supplement for second half of 2025 already paid The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, through the Institute for Social Security of the Azores (ISSA), processed today the payment of the Azorean Family Allowance Supplement for children and young people (CAAF) for the second half of 2025. This payment covered 30,653 beneficiaries, corresponding to an overall amount of €1,473,427.70, thus bolstering support for Azorean families with children and young people in their care. It should be noted that, since 2019, the amount invested in the CAAF has grown 54% and that, since 2021, €13.6 million has been invested in this support measure under the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition governments. The CAAF is granted every six months, being processed twice a year, and is an important social policy measure consisting of a cash supplement awarded to Family Allowance recipients residing in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Although recipients are children and young people, the payment is made to their parents, legal guardians or institutional guardians. According to the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, this aid represents a direct contribution to improving the living conditions of families, helping them to meet the costs associated with the livelihood, education and well-being of children and young people. The government official also emphasised that this supplement plays an essential role in combating child poverty, promoting social cohesion and reducing regional inequalities, while also helping to encourage births on the nine islands of the archipelago. The Regional Government of the Azores also continues to promote child welfare and health, as well as seeking to improve birth rates, through the “Birth Plus” programme, which provides non-refundable financial aid amounting to €1,500 for products purchased in pharmacies for all children born in the Azores in their early years. "Last year, this measure covered 2,000 beneficiaries. Since 2022, approximately €5.4 million has been invested in this programme," added the Regional Secretary.
January 19, 2026 Family Allowance Supplement for second half of 2025 already paid The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, through the Institute for Social Security of the Azores (ISSA), processed today the payment of the Azorean Family Allowance Supplement for children and young people (CAAF) for the second half of 2025. This payment covered 30,653 beneficiaries, corresponding to an overall amount of €1,473,427.70, thus bolstering support for Azorean families with children and young people in their care. It should be noted that, since 2019, the amount invested in the CAAF has grown 54% and that, since 2021, €13.6 million has been invested in this support measure under the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition governments. The CAAF is granted every six months, being processed twice a year, and is an important social policy measure consisting of a cash supplement awarded to Family Allowance recipients residing in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Although recipients are children and young people, the payment is made to their parents, legal guardians or institutional guardians. According to the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, this aid represents a direct contribution to improving the living conditions of families, helping them to meet the costs associated with the livelihood, education and well-being of children and young people. The government official also emphasised that this supplement plays an essential role in combating child poverty, promoting social cohesion and reducing regional inequalities, while also helping to encourage births on the nine islands of the archipelago. The Regional Government of the Azores also continues to promote child welfare and health, as well as seeking to improve birth rates, through the “Birth Plus” programme, which provides non-refundable financial aid amounting to €1,500 for products purchased in pharmacies for all children born in the Azores in their early years. "Last year, this measure covered 2,000 beneficiaries. Since 2022, approximately €5.4 million has been invested in this programme," added the Regional Secretary.
Nota de Imprensa
January 19, 2026 Azorean Councillors featured in eighth season of “Diaspora Talks" The "Diaspora Talks," a series of biographical interviews in online format, premieres another season: its eighth season. It will introduce the Azorean Diaspora Councillors, the active voices of global Azorean identity, who were elected for the 2025-2029 term. The first episode is set to air this Sunday, January 25, at 6 p.m., featuring Councillors Sofia Quintana from Uruguay and Régis Gomes from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, this initiative aims to bring the Azores closer to its emigrant communities in the diaspora and to immigrants residing in the archipelago, while also encouraging the participation of the general public. The eighth season brings together the 17 elected Councillors, distributed across the geographical areas of Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, Uruguay, mainland Portugal and the rest of the world. The main change this season is the broadcast day, with sessions now taking place on Sundays at 6 p.m. instead of Mondays. The upcoming episodes, following the planned scheduled, will feature Marcos Pinheiro, from Santa Catarina, and António Arruda, from São Paulo (February 8); Marcos Borba, from Rio de Janeiro, and Vânia Silva, representing the remaining states of Brazil (February 22); Ricardo Ambrósio, from Bermuda, and Danny de Melo, from Massachusetts (March 8); David Pimentel and Katherine Soares, representing the remaining states of the United States of America (March 22); Zeto Carvalho, from California, and Esmeralda Cabral, from British Columbia (April 5); Matthew Correia, from Ontario, and Paulo Cabral, from Manitoba (April 19); and, lastly, Carlos Almeida, representing the remaining provinces of Canada, Rui Silva, representative of Mainland Portugal and Madeira, and Tiago Domingues, representing the rest of the world (May 3). The first three of seven seasons of "Diaspora Talks" aired in 2021 and were dedicated, successively, to the Houses of the Azores, the Azorean Diaspora Councillors for the 2021-2025 term, and the media outlets serving the Azorean communities in the United States and Canada. The fourth season kicked off in 2022 with community social service organisations, and in 2023, the initiative featured Azorean personalities who have distinguished themselves outside Portugal. In 2024, "Diaspora Talks" introduced "new Azoreans," i.e. third-country nationals residing in the archipelago. The seventh season featured fifteen Azorean descendants residing in Brazil, Bermuda, the United States of America and Canada, who have made a name for themselves in various fields of activity. As in previous editions, the interviews are broadcast on the “Azorean Communities” Facebook page, with replays on YouTube, and presented by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade.
January 19, 2026 Azorean Councillors featured in eighth season of “Diaspora Talks" The "Diaspora Talks," a series of biographical interviews in online format, premieres another season: its eighth season. It will introduce the Azorean Diaspora Councillors, the active voices of global Azorean identity, who were elected for the 2025-2029 term. The first episode is set to air this Sunday, January 25, at 6 p.m., featuring Councillors Sofia Quintana from Uruguay and Régis Gomes from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, this initiative aims to bring the Azores closer to its emigrant communities in the diaspora and to immigrants residing in the archipelago, while also encouraging the participation of the general public. The eighth season brings together the 17 elected Councillors, distributed across the geographical areas of Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, Uruguay, mainland Portugal and the rest of the world. The main change this season is the broadcast day, with sessions now taking place on Sundays at 6 p.m. instead of Mondays. The upcoming episodes, following the planned scheduled, will feature Marcos Pinheiro, from Santa Catarina, and António Arruda, from São Paulo (February 8); Marcos Borba, from Rio de Janeiro, and Vânia Silva, representing the remaining states of Brazil (February 22); Ricardo Ambrósio, from Bermuda, and Danny de Melo, from Massachusetts (March 8); David Pimentel and Katherine Soares, representing the remaining states of the United States of America (March 22); Zeto Carvalho, from California, and Esmeralda Cabral, from British Columbia (April 5); Matthew Correia, from Ontario, and Paulo Cabral, from Manitoba (April 19); and, lastly, Carlos Almeida, representing the remaining provinces of Canada, Rui Silva, representative of Mainland Portugal and Madeira, and Tiago Domingues, representing the rest of the world (May 3). The first three of seven seasons of "Diaspora Talks" aired in 2021 and were dedicated, successively, to the Houses of the Azores, the Azorean Diaspora Councillors for the 2021-2025 term, and the media outlets serving the Azorean communities in the United States and Canada. The fourth season kicked off in 2022 with community social service organisations, and in 2023, the initiative featured Azorean personalities who have distinguished themselves outside Portugal. In 2024, "Diaspora Talks" introduced "new Azoreans," i.e. third-country nationals residing in the archipelago. The seventh season featured fifteen Azorean descendants residing in Brazil, Bermuda, the United States of America and Canada, who have made a name for themselves in various fields of activity. As in previous editions, the interviews are broadcast on the “Azorean Communities” Facebook page, with replays on YouTube, and presented by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade.
