The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity defended today that the Quinta do Norte project should be "a place of reference" in social inclusion as well as in the recovery of agricultural traditions and regional products.

Piedade Lalanda spoke during a visit to the Youth Development and Inclusion Centre (CDIJ), integrated in Quinta do Norte, during the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Norte Crescente Association, whose premises and surrounding areas around the "Casa do Gaiato de São Miguel" in Capelas have been reconverted into a community farm.

The government official even considered that the Quinta da Norte "should be a place of reference" for youngsters at CDIJ, for those who work on the farm, for the community of Capelas and for the Azores in general.

In this regard, the Regional Secretary reminded that the Regional Secretariat for Social Solidarity, through the Regional Directorate for Social Solidarity, has contributed to the purchase of a tractor and some farm tools in order to promote the growth of this project and provide it with the necessary means for its development.

"Local cuisine, handicrafts and agricultural production, with emphasis on the production for consumption, may be the reasons for the success of a project that has started as solidarity-oriented; however, it should be able to boost its economic capacity and its own strength," stressed Piedade Lalanda. The government official added that the success of this initiative also depends on all organisations working in this space, the commitment of its members, particularly of youngsters, and on the accomplishment of the projects that are being implemented.

For the Regional Secretary, in addition to agricultural production, “there is a huge potential in this space,” which can contribute to the creation of employment and the sustainability of this project.

"With hard work, an intense work that is carried out on a daily basis, it has been possible to uncover and rediscover the richness of this farm," Piedade Lalanda said, also stressing the inclusion and rehabilitation opportunities."

Speaking about Norte Crescente Association, one of the partners of Quinta do Norte, the Regional Secretary highlighted its intervention among the youth population, which has contributed to their sports, academic and cultural education, as well as its importance in local development, because "there cannot be local development without with the commitment of the people who live in the villages."

Created in 2003, this Association aims to promote the integrated development of the eight villages located on the North Coast of the municipality of Ponta Delgada.

In addition to the Norte Crescente Association, the Quinta do Norte project also counts on the collaboration of the several institutions and associations, including Cresaçor, Novo Dia, Arrisca, "Casa do Gaiato de São Miguel" and Tetrapi.