The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, will promote the exchange project “ISA – Inclusão através da Arte,” (ISA – Inclusion through Art), developed under Action 6.4 of the Youth in Action Programme, from September 11 and 18.

The project, which will be developed in partnership with the Tobacco Free Youth Association, Solidaried’arte Youth Association and the Bernardo da Silveira Estrela House, counts on the participation of 25 youngsters from Portugal (Azores), Romania, Sweden and Hungary.

With the direct involvement of youngsters in this project, the Azorean Government aims to encourage them to acquire social and professionals skills in order to promote their full integration in the community; use art as part of the youth experience to encourage the creation of life projects; use art as an intervention strategy addressed at underprivileged youngsters to foster the development of musical/cultural/personal/social skills; promote the dialogue and reflection on the European culture based on the principles  equality, cultural diversity , equity, entrepreneurship, and tolerance.

The knowledge and experience of each of these organisations will enhance the project and contribute to the accomplishment of a common goal to all partners, taking into account the priorities of the Youth in Action programmes and the chosen themes.

The Government of the Azores has been reinforcing the dissemination of European programmes since 2009, with special emphasis to youth programmes. In this context, five projects to be implemented in the Azores were approved by the Youth in Action Programme in the first half of 2011, which were funded by 65% from European Commission funds.