Regional Government to implement across-the-board youth policy, says José Manuel Bolieiro - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, closed today the discussion of the XIV Programme of the Government at the Regional Legislative Assembly with a message addressed to young people, without forgetting, however, "solidarity towards older generations."

"The XIV Government of the Azores will implement an across-the-board youth policy with a series of actions aimed at empowering an ever-growing number of young Azoreans and maintaining more young people on the various islands of the Azores. We will take action to reduce the uncertainties affecting the future of young people at different stages of their youth, helping them to develop their skills to fit successfully into the society and economy of the Azores. We will help them to face their professional challenges with determination and establish themselves as active and demanding citizens," he said. 

He continued: "Globalisation, climate change, technological change, demographic and socio-economic trends, populism, discrimination and social exclusion make this challenge complex. Nonetheless, we are here for young people, with young people and for the sake of our collective future."

As José Manuel Bolieiro defended, the Azores "cannot risk wasting the talent of young people by excluding them instead of involving them."

He pointed out that, according to the most recent Census, the Region has lost "many assets" in its demography.

"The Government wants to provide young people with support and participation models to harness their participatory potential. Involving and empowering young people are, thus, two of the most important ways in which the youth policy of the XIV Government of the Azores will endeavour to ensure that an ever-growing number of young Azoreans will identify themselves with the prevailing values of Democracy, Autonomy and Azoreanity," he emphasised.

The Regional Government's mission is to create conditions that "will enable young people to develop their potential in all the different parts" of the Region, "i.e. on every island."

He added: "We will ensure equal access to high-quality education for all young people, through easier access to higher education and vocational education. We will guarantee access to the labour market with opportunities leading to quality jobs for all young people. We will provide for the payment of two airline tickets a year for young Azoreans who are studying outside their island of residence. We will create the "More Youth" package, devising a system in which students enrolled in higher education outside the archipelago will only pay the stipulated amount for the round trip, without the need to request subsequent refunds."

In addition, there will be measures to help young Azoreans stay in the Azores, including the return of tuition fees and personal income tax for all young people willing to work in the Azores up to the age of 30.

"We will create a recruitment pool to make it easier for employers to recruit young people, with the possibility of EU co-funding. Considering the importance of literacy, we will reward young people who turn 18 with a 100 Euro-birthday cheque for the purchase of books, encouraging the habit of reading books, both printed and digital. As the XIV Government of the Azores aims to pursue the housing policy of the XIII Government, we will put 2,000 affordable homes on the market in the decade that is now beginning, including the construction of new homes, the refurbishment of homes, the transfer of serviced plots and support to housing cooperatives," he continued.

The President of the Government's speech preceded the voting on the Programme of the Government, which was approved today by the Assembly with the favourable vote of the coalition and the abstention of the Chega, IL and PAN parties.

The Programme of the XIV Government of the Azores, which has now been approved, represents "a strategic and working guideline" in favour of "who need it most" - "but also in favour of those who, with ambition, want to develop and grow."

The XIV Government Programme is not a detail or a list of details. It is a strategic reference. A strategy for the future and with a future. A strategy to protect those who are most vulnerable and need to be protected. A strategy that gives hope to young people and all Azoreans. Because it gives space to their spirit of initiative. Because it promotes solidarity among the equal and the unequal. Because it defends sustainability and the environment. Because it encourages the generation of wealth as the most effective way to eradicate poverty. Because it values and promotes the Azorean identity that makes us stand out in the world," stressed José Manuel Bolieiro.

When the XIV Government of the Azores takes office, the President of the Government assured that he will continue negotiating to make the main instruments for governance viable, "first and foremost with those who voted for the Programme of the Government."

He added: "Those who voted against it want instability, they put themselves on the side of the problem and not on the side of the solutions, where we are. This mark is already set in this session of Parliament and with each person's vote."

Related press release: Speech delivered by the President of the Government.