Communiqué from the Council of the Government - Communication

The Council of the Government, which met on July 22, 2025, in Ponta Delgada, decided to adopt the following measures:

1. Approve the Resolution stipulating additional support for learning processes and the life of the educational community.

This Resolution aligns with the Government Programme, particularly regarding the structural reform of the regional education system. It involves implementing a curriculum reform that consolidates schools according to the demands of the 21st century, promoting differentiated educational responses tailored to the diversity of students and, thereby, promoting academic success.

With this Government's decision, involving an investment of up to €1,200,000.00, the process of monitoring and providing vocational guidance to students at risk of dropping out of education and training will continue.

This additional support will take effect at the beginning of the 2025/2026 school year. It aims to assist students who need more support for their learning and inclusion, requiring specific attention from teachers.

2. Approves the Resolution initiating the process of regulating recreational and sporting nautical activities in Lagoa das Furnas lake and the Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde lakes in Sete Cidades, all located on the island of São Miguel.

Azorean lakes are natural ecosystems that play an indispensable role in maintaining the ecological, water and landscape balance of the island territory. They provide environmental services that are important for nature conservation and biodiversity, as they host habitats for protected and endangered species.

From a social and economic perspective, they are strategic water reserves for multiple uses, including the supply of water to populations and productive activities, in addition to their significant tourism potential. This specific role stems from the exceptional scenery surrounding the lakes, combined with the unique geological structures they harbour. 

Accordingly, these lakes possess unique and invaluable qualities that must be preserved, protected and leveraged, following guidelines geared towards the sustainable development of the Azores Archipelago.

Safeguarding and management measures, compatible with the sustainable use of natural resources and values in the hydrographic basins of the main lakes in the Azores, have been established through Special Land Management Plans.

It is necessary to set up a working group composed of representatives from various regional entities to monitor the process of regulating recreational and sporting nautical activities in Lagoa das Furnas lake and the Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde lakes in Sete Cidades. 

3. Approve the Resolution authorising the Regional Secretariat for Finance, Planning and Public Administration to grant financial support to public, private and non-profit entities known as Azores Business Associations.

The Azores Business Associations have been playing an important role, in the view of the Azorean Government, both in defining economic policy programmes and in promoting and implementing projects aimed at businesses and entrepreneurship.

Recognising the fundamental importance of these associations in promoting economic activity, the Council of the Government has approved a resolution aimed at granting financial support to these public, private and non-profit entities for the promotion and creation of conditions that encourage and sustain an economic and social environment conducive to the development of new competitive factors, the promotion of quality and innovation. This will boost the competitiveness of companies.

4. Approves the Regional Implementing Decree amending the governance model for reforms and investments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for the Region.

With these amendments, the Regional Government intends to adapt Regional Implementing Decree No. 23/2021/A of September 3, in its current wording, to the new reality imposed by the European Council, thus promoting swifter processing and decision-making, while strengthening and clarifying the functions of technical support.

5. Pass the Resolution approving a contract programme between the Region and the University of the Azores to provide support for the transfer of human resources.

Two lecturers with contracts of indefinite duration in school establishments within the regional education system may be seconded to carry out duties at the University of the Azores that are related to the scope of the contract programme.

This contract programme concerns the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year and the running of five master's degrees in teaching programmes. It will cover the 2026/2027 academic year.

6. Approve the Resolution authorising the purchase of digital textbooks for Domingos Rebelo Secondary School for the 2025/2026 school year.

Within the scope of the RRP, the Region considered investment in Digital Education as strategic, insofar as it seeks to guarantee access to the information society, promote equal opportunities and induce significant improvements in learning environments. These goals are aligned with the EU Digital Education Action Plan, fostering the development of digital skills in the educational community, in general, and in the new generations, in particular.

The purchase of digital textbooks for students at Domingos Rebelo Secondary School, to be used in the 2025/2026 school year, is estimated to cost €1,105,000.00, plus VAT at the legal rate in force.

7. Approve the Resolution authorising the signing of a contract programme between the Region and the Association for the Economic Promotion of the Azores - AVEA for the year 2025, for the sum of €630,000.00.

AVEA is a private non-profit organisation with the mission of promoting professional qualifications in various areas that contribute to the development of the Region, namely in the hospitality, tourism, catering and similar sectors.

The Azores Tourism School operates under the supervision of AVEA. It promotes, organises and supports initial and continuing vocational training courses, in addition to having a practical application unit for culinary and room service, the Amphitheatre Restaurant Lounge.

In view of its responsibilities and its contribution to promoting the public interest, it is important to continue supporting this Association to ensure the consolidation of the training activity and attractiveness of the Azores Tourism School, as well as the normal operation of its organisational and functional structures.

8. Approve the Resolution creating the Regional Working Group for the National Nature Restoration Plan.

The Regional Working Group for the preparation of the National Nature Restoration Plan, which has now been created, includes various Regional Government departments, environmental associations and academia.

This Group has the mission of safeguarding regional interests, as it will prepare the Region's Plan that makes up the draft National Plan for Nature Restoration.

9. Adopt the Resolution approving the revision of the Azores Hydrographic Region Management Plan for the 2028-2033 period.

Hydrographic region management plans, as water resources planning instruments, aim to manage, protect and enhance the environmental, social and economic value of water resources at the level of hydrographic basins within a hydrographic region.

The current Hydrographic Region Management Plan for the Azores for the 2022-2027 period stipulates that it must be reviewed periodically every six-year planning cycle, so it is important to begin the process of revising the Plan.

10. Authorise the granting of a loan guarantee from banks and/or other financial entities by the Autonomous Region of the Azores to SATA Air Açores - Sociedade Açoriana de Transportes Aéreos S.A., amounting to €75,000,000.00.