The Regional Government, through the Vice-Presidency, has decided to increase the appropriation available for the approval of applications under the Incentive System for the Development of Handicrafts in the Azores (SIDART) by 288 thousand Euros. 

This increase in the available allocation for 2020 intends to support Craft Production Units (UPA) in the current economic situation due to the constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With this measure, whose order is published in the Official Journal, the Government intends to approve 139 applications, ranging from projects in the area of training to investment projects in Craft Production Units. 

Accordingly, and considering the large number of applications, the Regional Government expresses its intention to approve all applications considered eligible, thus fostering the dynamics in the promotion and revitalisation of regional handicrafts, with a strong impact on wealth generation, income growth and job creation. 

For the Regional Government, handicraft companies are fundamental in the context of the Region's economy, actively contributing to the richness and diversity of its cultural heritage and, therefore, they should be further supported to ensure the sustainability and, consequently, the maintenance of employment in the sector. 

SIDART aims to promote the sustainable development of craft activities within the regional economy, through a series of measures designed to reinforce the quality of production and the competitiveness of Azorean handicraft companies. 

Accordingly, encouraging the maintenance of craft practices of recognised cultural and economic interest is crucial for the Regional Government. They not only provide a significant contribution to the Region's promotion, but also enrich ethnographic heritage and consolidate cultural diversity as an important factor of tourist attraction. 

For more information, those who are interested should contact the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA) at address http://www.artesanato.azores.gov.pt email address or at the email [email protected].