OTLJ applications until April 30 with new sub-programme for summer occupation - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

Young people interested in developing an occupation project during July and August under the OTLJ - Youth Free Time Occupation Programme must submit their application from March 1 to April 30 on the Azores Youth portal - juventude.azores.gov.pt. 

This application phase, which is taking place simultaneously for young people and for OTLJ - Summer 2025 project promoters, is aimed at the "Holiday Occupation" and "Active Youth" sub-programmes, and the newly created "Summer in Occupation" sub-programme.

Young people between 14 and 24 living in the Azores and currently enrolled in the 9th grade, equivalent, or secondary education, can apply for "Holiday Occupation." In turn, those living in the Azores aged between 15 and 24 can apply for "Active Youth" if they are covered by projects promoted by Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS).

The projects under these two sub-programmes run for 20 working days in July and August and cannot exceed five hours daily. 

Young people receive a grant of three Euros per hour, which could total 207 Euros.

This year, the latest addition is the newly created "Summer in Occupation" sub-programme. 

This sub-programme is open to residents of the Azores between 16 and 24, enrolled in secondary, general or vocational education, or higher education.

The projects run from July to August, for 35 working days, starting no later than the 5th working day of July, for a maximum of 20 hours a week, without exceeding 5 hours a day.

Young people receive a grant of four Euros per hour, which could total 560 Euros if they complete their entire occupation.

"The creation of this sub-programme includes promoters previously excluded from OTLJ, such as private companies, the social sector, the media and cooperatives. It promotes greater diversity and scope for occupation projects," stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment this week.

During the workshop introducing the sub-programmes to potential OTLJ promoters, Maria João Carreiro highlighted the importance of "Summer in Occupation" for young people's vocational and academic screening. She challenged organisations to apply for "projects in line with OTLJ's goals" that could bring "added value" to young people and "create good memories." 

The OTLJ regulation in the Azores has not been revised in seven years. 

The new regulation, published last January in the Official Journal, in addition to creating the new "Summer in Occupation" sub-programme, increased the number of grants awarded to young people by 20% and extended the deadline for applications from one to two months.  

In addition to "Holiday Occupation," "Summer in Occupation" and"Active Youth," OTLJ also includes the "Young Students" sub-programme, for which applications can be submitted from September 1 to October 15 and from December 1 to January 15. 

The length of the projects has been extended from four to five months as well as the occupation period (from November to May) and the recipients of this OTLJ sub-programme, which include young people enrolled in secondary, vocational and higher education.