The Regional Director for Youth announced in Ribeira Grande that the fifth edition of the Regional Competition - "IdeiAçores" will be held at the University of the Azores on May 27, 28 and 29 in an innovative format, taking the form of a Summer Camp.

Pilar Damião stressed that the knowledge and entrepreneurial skills developed among students throughout the school year culminating in "IdeiAçores." According to her, "it stimulates the critical thinking and creativity of youngsters, making them better prepared to understand and overcome the new social and economic challenges."

The Regional Director for Youth spoke during the second follow-up visit to Ribeira Grande Secondary School under the Programme "Entrepreneurial Education: The Path to Success." In addition to being "a driving force capable of instilling in youngsters the concept of competitiveness associated to innovation, technology, quality, marketing, information and organisation, this project has become a key tool in the emergence of generations with more critical thinking skills."
 
In turn, the Regional Director for Education considered that this initiative is also "an important tool of change at the service of all levels of education."

"The development of entrepreneurial skills among our children and youth is a very relevant tool of change, seeing that we need to encourage a new generation of Azoreans that are able to define life goals, create their own path, overcome obstacles and accept challenges," said Fabíola Cardoso.

The Regional Competition "IdeiAçores" is the culmination of the Programme "Entrepreneurial Education: The Path to Success," a project developed by the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorates for Youth and Education, in collaboration with the Society for the Business Development of the Azores (SDEA).

In 2015, this initiative covered 43 regional schools, involving a total of 2,500 students. It aims to foster the initiative of youngsters and their entrepreneurial skills, through a different approach from that taught at schools.

The programme was extended to elementary school in this year's edition, thus covering all levels of education.