The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, approved the funding of the Incentive Scheme for Youth Associations (SIAJ) under the second commission for the assessment of youth support requests. It represents a global investment over 114 thousand Euros.

This incentive scheme comprises projects involving 3,600 youngsters and is distributed among the Incentive Programme for Youth Association (PIAJ) and the Programme to Support Infrastructures and Equipment for youth association, (PAIE).

One of the seven programmes included in the incentive scheme for youth associations, PIAJ aims to support the development of annual activity plans by youth associations and respective federations, and similar entities.

Under this incentive scheme, the Government will award 15 thousand Euros to support the organisation of ACARAL - VI Regional Scouts Camp, organised by the Portuguese Scout Association. The event will be held in the village of Almagreira on Santa Maria, between July 24 and 29, and will gather nearly five hundred participants.

The Assessment Commission also analysed youth mobility projects, through the Bento de Góis Programme; 31 projects were approved under Action I (Mobility in the Azores and throughout the National Territory) and two under Action III (International Mobility), representing an overall investment of 38 thousand Euros.

The financial support that was recently allocated covers 455 youngsters from the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial Pico and São Jorge. It aims to promote their mobility at a regional, national and international level, while providing them with a stimulating, enriching and structuring opportunity to experience the meaning of Azorean identity and European citizenship.