The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs stated in Angra do Heroísmo that the Government of the Azores will increase the support for projects developed by youth associations. He added that, since the beginning of the year, the Government "has supported initiatives and projects from various youth associations in the Region, allocating an overall amount of 450 thousand Euros."
 
Berto Messias spoke at the signing ceremony of a protocol between UNESCO National Commission and AJITER - Terceira Island Youth Association to create the "Jovem Insula" centre to be located in São Bento, Angra do Heroísmo.
 
On the occasion, the Regional Secretary challenged the UNESCO National Commission to "hold its national meeting on Terceira in 2018," recalling the strategic orientation of the Regional Government to support initiatives that "promote more jobs, more qualification and more civic participation."
 
"This type of partnership between local associations and entities such as UNESCO clearly fulfils this goal," said the government official.
 
In his speech, Berto Messias highlighted the contribution of AJITER to the implementation of youth policies defined by the Government of the Azores, stressing that this association "has built a heritage of credibility, competence and affirmation of Terceira and Azorean youth in a unique way for over 15 years." According to him, it has been a reference for youth associations.
 
Berto Messias praised AJITER for "never having closed in on itself," for having "frequently opted to establish external partnerships, for keeping up with what is taking place in European decision-making centres in Brussels, and for integrating community partnerships that bring added value to Azorean youth."
 
The UNESCO Insula Youth Centre will develop activities aimed at young people in order to promote of a more conscious and participating citizenship towards the issues of education.
 
This centre will be a partner of the educational community in social inclusion, full integration and participation in community life by developing educational resources that promote citizenship and youth participation, training programmes in non-formal education, seminars, meetings and exhibitions.