The Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources will distinguish 41 villages across the Region with "ECO Freguesia 2012" (Eco Village) Awards at a ceremony taking place on the nine Azorean islands next Friday.

The Regional Director for the Environment, Hernâni Jorge, will preside over the delivery ceremony of "ECO Freguesia" awards to the villages distinguished on the Faial Island at Faial Botanical Garden at 10 AM. In turn, the winning villages on Pico Island will be distinguished at a ceremony chaired by the Regional Director that will take at the Vineyard Office in Madalena at 2:30 PM.

The "ECO Freguesia, Freguesia Limpa" (ECO Village, Clean Village) contest, jointly organised by the Regional Directorates for the Environment and Sea Affairs, aims to recognise and distinguish the efforts of villages and the collaboration of the population in the cleansing, removal and disposal of waste dumped in public spaces.

The assessment of this effort also comprises water lines and the coastline as well. This process is carried out through a scoring system that takes into consideration the quality level in a specific area as well as the number of cleaning actions and environmental awareness raising sessions.

The winning villages are awarded an "ECO Freguesia" Flag and a Certificate, which distinguishes the Village Councils where the minimum criteria are met. The Certificate of Recognition is awarded in the cases when, for reasons not attributable to the local authority, an effective effort was made to promote cleaning actions and environmental awareness raising sessions.

In addition to the delivery of 41 prizes under the 2012 contest, 39 Certificates of Recognition will be also awarded.

Under both areas (awards and certificates of recognition), this contest has distinguished 1 village on Corvo, 7 villages on Flores, 12 villages on Faial, 1 village on Graciosa, 11 villages on Pico, 10 villages on São Jorge, 15 villages on Terceira, 21 villages on São Miguel and 2 villages on Santa Maria.

The villages interested in participating in the fourth edition of this contest may register for free until May 3.

This initiative aims to reward good environmental performance of citizens and entities involved as a result of active citizenship, which contributes to the well-being of populations.