A total of 87 Eco-Schools in the Autonomous Region of the Azores have been distinguished for the meritorious work carried out to promote environmental sustainability in the school year 2011/2012. The distinguished schools can now fly the green flags throughout this year.

The Green Flag is the award that distinguishes good environmental practices of the schools that have enrolled in the Eco-School programme, an international initiative promoted by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Portugal joined this initiative in 1996 through the European Blue Flag Association (ABAE).

In the Azores, the programme began to be implemented in 1999 through the Regional Network of "Ecotecas" (Environmental Awareness Raising Centres) under the coordination of the Regional Directorate for the Environment.

In the first school year only four regional schools joined this initiative, but in 2011/2013 a total of 97 schools were enrolled in this programme.
The Eco-School programme, initially targeted at elementary schools, currently comprises kindergartens, vocational training schools, occupational activity centres, free time occupation centres and universities.

Schools interested in joining this initiative for the school year 2012/2013 should submit their registration until the end of February on the online platform of ABAE (www.abae.pt) or contact the local "Ecoteca."

In addition, schools may also consult the following websites http://www.abae.pt/programa/EE/inicio.php (national coordination of the Eco-School programme) and http://educarparaoambiente.azores.gov.pt (Educating for Environment - Environmental Education portal of the Regional Government of the Azores) for further information.