Applications to the Incentive Scheme for the Development of the Azores Handicrafts (SIDART) for 2014 will be open from February 17 and March 31.

An order issued by the Vice-President of the Government, published today, establishes the aforementioned deadline and stipulates the sum of 101,857 Euros as the global budget allocation for projects to be approved in areas ranging from training to the innovation of craft products.

For the first time, application will be made online on the website of the Regional Centre for Handicrafts at: www.artesanato.azores.gov.pt; this become available from February 17.

The Incentive Scheme for the Development of the Azores Handicrafts was created with the aim of promoting the sustainable development of craft activities in the context of regional, through the implementation of a series of measures.

Enhancing the production quality and competitiveness of small craft companies in the Azores and, simultaneously, addressing the structural changes resulting from the creation of the Craftspeople Statute and the Craft Production Unit are other goals the Regional Government intends to accomplish with this system created under the Azorean Agenda for Employment Creation and Competitiveness.

Under SIDART, the Regional Government supported last year 72 projects developed by Craft Production Units in several areas.