The Regional Director for Rural Development revealed today in Angra do Heroísmo that "over 40% of the budget for Rural Development Programme - PRORURAL, between 2007 and 2013, was allocated to environmental-based measures." In this context, the Government approved a financial support measure amounting to 55 thousand Euros for the "Environmental Footprint" project.

Speaking at the press conference to present the initiative "Turn off the light, Connect with the Planet", Fátima Amorim pointed out that "with such projects, we will be contributing to a more sustainable Region."

The Regional Director mentioned that the PRORURAL programme allowed the implementation of several measures evidencing environmental concerns, since one of the main goals of the programme is the preservation and conservation of the environment.

In this context, the government official congratulated GRATER and ADELIAÇOR for the presentation of the inter-territorial cooperation project, known as "Environmental Footprint." It aims to raise the awareness of the population for the appropriate management of waste and the reduction of energy consumption.

The initiative "Turn off the light, Connect with the Planet," which was developed under the aforementioned project, is primarily intended to raise the awareness of the populations from Terceira and Graciosa for energy consumption and saving habits.

This action is addressed at children, families and public authorities.

Other actions have been developed under this project, including the creation of the "Major Planeta" mascot, a promotional video, stickers, an Internet page containing information on energy saving, an android application and a Facebook page that will document the entire campaign.