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Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme
Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures
Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures
Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública
Regional Government opens AIMA service at Ponta Delgada RIAC office and plans to cover all nine islands by July
Regional Government opens AIMA service at Ponta Delgada RIAC office and plans to cover all nine islands by July
March 16, 2026
Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme
March 6, 2026
Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures
March 6, 2026
Regional Government opens AIMA service at Ponta Delgada RIAC office and plans to cover all nine islands by July
News
Nota de Imprensa
March 16, 2026
Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme
The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, which oversees the space sector, welcomes the significant participation of 40 Azorean students in the 5th edition of the “Astronauts for a Day” programme. Promoted by the Portuguese Space Agency (PT Space), the initiative set an all-time national record this year, with 762 applicants. This figure represents an increase of 217 applications compared to last year, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm of younger generations for the aerospace sector. The high level of participation in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (40 applicants) reflects the impact of policies to promote scientific literacy and young people’s interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which are fundamental to the future of the archipelago. For the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, “these figures are a source of great pride for the Azores.” He added: “The data shows that our young people are ambitious, attuned to new horizons of knowledge, and keen to play an active role in the development of the space sector – an area where our Region has competitive advantages that are unique in the world.” The government official also emphasised that the Regional Government remains committed to creating the conditions for local talent to find genuine training and career opportunities within the Azorean space sector. The selection process, which is notable for its near-total gender parity at a national level (380 girls and 382 boys), will now move on to the stages of video assessment, cognitive tests and physical tests. The culmination of this competition will hold particular symbolic significance for the Region: the 20 selected finalists will take part in a parabolic flight scheduled for September 20, departing from Santa Maria. This will be the second edition of the event to take place on the island, which hosted the event last year. The Government of the Azores wishes every success to all the Azorean participants who remain in the race to "touch space" from their own homeland.
March 16, 2026
Paulo Estêvão welcomes record number of young Azoreans participating in “Astronaut for a Day” programme
The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, which oversees the space sector, welcomes the significant participation of 40 Azorean students in the 5th edition of the “Astronauts for a Day” programme. Promoted by the Portuguese Space Agency (PT Space), the initiative set an all-time national record this year, with 762 applicants. This figure represents an increase of 217 applications compared to last year, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm of younger generations for the aerospace sector. The high level of participation in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (40 applicants) reflects the impact of policies to promote scientific literacy and young people’s interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which are fundamental to the future of the archipelago. For the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, “these figures are a source of great pride for the Azores.” He added: “The data shows that our young people are ambitious, attuned to new horizons of knowledge, and keen to play an active role in the development of the space sector – an area where our Region has competitive advantages that are unique in the world.” The government official also emphasised that the Regional Government remains committed to creating the conditions for local talent to find genuine training and career opportunities within the Azorean space sector. The selection process, which is notable for its near-total gender parity at a national level (380 girls and 382 boys), will now move on to the stages of video assessment, cognitive tests and physical tests. The culmination of this competition will hold particular symbolic significance for the Region: the 20 selected finalists will take part in a parabolic flight scheduled for September 20, departing from Santa Maria. This will be the second edition of the event to take place on the island, which hosted the event last year. The Government of the Azores wishes every success to all the Azorean participants who remain in the race to "touch space" from their own homeland.
Nota de Imprensa
March 6, 2026
Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures
The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities (SRAPC), convened today the Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs (CCRAI) for a meeting focused on assessing and defining strategies for welcoming foreign citizens to the archipelago. The working meeting, which marked the debut of the new conference room at the SRAPC headquarters in Ponta Delgada, was chaired by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, accompanied by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade. It brought together social partners, public entities and associations representing immigrants that make up this advisory body. The meeting was also graced with the presence of Pedro Portugal Gaspar, President of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), and Carlos Mateus, President of the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC). As part of the agenda, the new Ordinance establishing the creation of Portuguese Language Courses in the Autonomous Region of the Azores was presented at the meeting. With a view to responding to the hundreds of people on the waiting list, the Azorean Government is promoting a substantial increase in training initiatives. "We had the opportunity to amend the ordinance by increasing instructors' hourly pay, from €19 per hour to €25," Paulo Estêvão explained, adding that the Government is challenging municipalities and the University of the Azores to join this training effort led by CRESAÇOR and AIPA. The government official stated that the goal is to "end the waiting list as quickly as possible," aiming to clear it within a year and a half to two years. The updated document of the Guide to Hiring Foreign Citizens in the Region was also presented at the event. According to the Regional Secretary, this update aims to provide employers with complete and accurate information to overcome bureaucratic constraints, ensuring rapid and effective integration into the labour market. During the meeting, the Regional Secretary announced the transfer of an adjoining building to the SRAPC premises in Ponta Delgada for the installation of the new headquarters of the Association of Immigrants in the Azores (AIPA). "It is a long-standing aspiration of the association. The number of cases has increased significantly, and the current facilities are no longer adequate," he stressed. In terms of decentralising migration policies, the Council also discussed the 4th Azores Migration Forum, to be held in April in the two municipalities of Flores and Corvo. Paulo Estêvão justified the decision by pointing out the relevance of discussing the issue in the most remote areas of the Region, noting that the foreign population in Flores already exceeds 10% of the resident population. With the regular revitalisation of this Advisory Council, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to building a pluralistic, inclusive and tolerant society, valuing the essential contribution of immigrant communities to the economic and cultural development of the Region.
March 6, 2026
Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures
The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities (SRAPC), convened today the Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs (CCRAI) for a meeting focused on assessing and defining strategies for welcoming foreign citizens to the archipelago. The working meeting, which marked the debut of the new conference room at the SRAPC headquarters in Ponta Delgada, was chaired by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, accompanied by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade. It brought together social partners, public entities and associations representing immigrants that make up this advisory body. The meeting was also graced with the presence of Pedro Portugal Gaspar, President of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), and Carlos Mateus, President of the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC). As part of the agenda, the new Ordinance establishing the creation of Portuguese Language Courses in the Autonomous Region of the Azores was presented at the meeting. With a view to responding to the hundreds of people on the waiting list, the Azorean Government is promoting a substantial increase in training initiatives. "We had the opportunity to amend the ordinance by increasing instructors' hourly pay, from €19 per hour to €25," Paulo Estêvão explained, adding that the Government is challenging municipalities and the University of the Azores to join this training effort led by CRESAÇOR and AIPA. The government official stated that the goal is to "end the waiting list as quickly as possible," aiming to clear it within a year and a half to two years. The updated document of the Guide to Hiring Foreign Citizens in the Region was also presented at the event. According to the Regional Secretary, this update aims to provide employers with complete and accurate information to overcome bureaucratic constraints, ensuring rapid and effective integration into the labour market. During the meeting, the Regional Secretary announced the transfer of an adjoining building to the SRAPC premises in Ponta Delgada for the installation of the new headquarters of the Association of Immigrants in the Azores (AIPA). "It is a long-standing aspiration of the association. The number of cases has increased significantly, and the current facilities are no longer adequate," he stressed. In terms of decentralising migration policies, the Council also discussed the 4th Azores Migration Forum, to be held in April in the two municipalities of Flores and Corvo. Paulo Estêvão justified the decision by pointing out the relevance of discussing the issue in the most remote areas of the Region, noting that the foreign population in Flores already exceeds 10% of the resident population. With the regular revitalisation of this Advisory Council, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to building a pluralistic, inclusive and tolerant society, valuing the essential contribution of immigrant communities to the economic and cultural development of the Region.
