The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs noted in Horta that financial allocation of almost 2.4 million Euros represents an increase of 7% for the area of Youth in 2015. In this context, the government official highlight the adherence of youngsters to "several programmes" designed to "encourage their autonomy, mobility and creative projection."

Speaking at the Legislative Assembly, Isabel Rodrigues mentioned that a total of "119 projects involving 5,100 youngsters throughout the Region were approved in the area of youth associations this year alone."

The Regional Secretary emphasised that the Youth Policies developed by the Azorean Government "are not limited to the action" of a single governmental department. Indeed, "they cover all the investments made in the areas of Education, Sport, Social Solidarity, Housing, Health, Vocational Training, Employment and Entrepreneurship." In this regard, the government official defended the investment "in three key sectors" in the area of Youth.

"The investment will be directed to the improvement of mobility, the development of creativity and the support to youth associations, with special emphasis on the actions that promote civic participation and community intervention," said the government official.

Isabel Rodrigues noted the broad debate and the "clearly favourable opinion" issued by the Azores Youth Council regarding the proposed investment options, such as the renewal and improvement of Terceira and São Miguel Youth Hostels, the allocation of half a million Euros to the OTLJ Programme and the promotion of volunteering and youth mobility.

For the Regional Secretary, mobility "should not be regarded as an end in itself, but also as a privileged means to expand and enhance the skills and experience of youngsters, reinforce the versatility and boost their employability. As she revealed, 1,131 youngsters already took part in the Bento de Góis programme this year.

Furthermore, Isabel Rodrigues also stressed the launch of the new programme "Prepara o teu regresso a casa" (Prepare your return home) next year. This initiative aims to "disseminate among Azorean youngsters who have completed their training the mechanisms that ensure a better access to information on trainee, employment and investment support programmes."

The programme also include "interaction strategies between the youngsters and the regional business sector," the Regional Secretary stressed, announced the development of a web platform specially addressed at youngsters.

"We will continue working to give our youngsters the opportunity to return to their families and their roots, and develop their full potential here," said Isabel Rodrigues.