The Regional Government, through the Vice-Presidency, increased the allocation under the Participatory Budget of the Azores from 600 thousand to one million euros and creates another theme area, Culture, while maintaining the initial four areas: Environment, Social Inclusion, Youth and Tourism.
 
A resolution published today in the Official Journal sets out the technical principles, methodology and operational rules applicable to the second edition of the Participatory Budget of the Azores (OP Açores) to be held this year.
 
Considering the great success of the first edition of the OP Açores and the suggestions made to the citizens, the Regional Government has also decided to propose the creation of another proposal category, besides the "island" scope in the first edition.
 
In this context, the Azoreans in 2019 will be able to present not only proposals for their island but also to present regional public investment ideas with impact on two or more islands.
 
The first edition of the Açores OP involved approximately 1,500 citizens in the pre-proposal phase, with a total of 324 public investment ideas, resulting in 154 proposals put to vote. The voting of almost 5,000 citizens elected 29 winning projects, which are being implemented by the Regional Government of the Azores.
 
The Participatory Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores corresponds to a commitment made by the XII Regional Government in its programme, being in line with the strategic goal "More Citizenship, Better Autonomy." This initiative aims to promote the active participatory democracy of the Azoreans, with special emphasis on the involvement of young people in the decision-making process of public policies.