The training courses that are part of the implementation plan of the Azores Entrepreneurship Programme have already led to the establishment of 15 companies in the Region.

 This programme has been disseminated throughout archipelago and has registered the growing adherence of potential entrepreneurs. It was developed by the Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government, through SDEA, in partnership with CRESAÇOR and the Regional Directorate for Employment and Vocational Training.

 The programme is intended to promote entrepreneurship as a tool that promotes the integration of the unemployed into the labour market, either through the creation of a company or a micro-business or through the restructuring of existing companies.

 The Azores Entrepreneurship programme is primarily targeted to the unemployed registered at the Agencies for Qualification and Employment, who do not hold a university diploma, and entrepreneurs working in areas that are linked, directly or indirectly, to the endogenous resources of the Azores.

 The programme also includes the organisation of a wide range of training and monitoring activities throughout the Region. So far, seven training courses have already taken place on the islands of São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Faial and Flores.

 During these sessions, participants developed over a hundred business plans, which have the conditions to be implemented, either directly by their creators or by other interested parties. These business plans are available on the Ideas Exchange of this programme.

 The training courses provided under Azores Entrepreneurship training are free. They aim to provide participants with the necessary tools for the creation of a feasible business that is not dependent on the financial capacity of their promoters. This situation was addressed by the Regional Government with the creation of various incentive schemes to support the establishment of companies.

 All projects developed under the Azores Entrepreneurship programme provide personalised support to future entrepreneurs in order to help them turning a business idea into a real business.