The Vice-Presidency of the Government, through the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA) opened today the application period for this year's edition of SIDART - Incentive System for the Development of Azores Handicrafts, which runs until March 29.
 
The support comprises projects ranging from training and qualification, innovation, marketing and promotion of products to investments in production structures and equipment for Handicraft Production Units (UPA) based in the Region.
 
Applications should be made exclusively online on the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA) website at http://sidart.azores.gov.pt/.
 
Under SIDART, 636 projects have been supported over the past five years, representing an overall investment of around 1.9 million Euros.
 
The Incentive System for the Development of Azores Handicrafts was created with the aim of promoting the sustainable development of handicraft activities in conjunction with other measures implemented by the Regional Government, with special emphasis on training, certification of products, organisation of events or participation in fairs.
 
Hence, these measures have contributed to a new dynamics in the sector and fall within the strategic goals to encourage the use of new business opportunities boosted by the growth of tourism flows, self-employment and job creation.
 
The significant emergence of new companies in this area also contributes to the maintenance of populations and young people in a perspective of harmonious development of the Region, always valuing the raw materials and arts of each island.