The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism highlighted today the importance of the "Eco-village, clean village" programme and the commitment of local authorities, namely through villages, to the cleaning and maintenance of public spaces.
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the delivery ceremony of the maintenance kits of the "My Stream" project under the Eco-village 2017 programme. At the event, the government official delivered 12 equipment kits, each consisting of a professional motor scythe and two sets of personal protective equipment, which represent a total investment of 150 thousand Euros.
 
"These sets are delivered to the best "My Stream" project. This year, it involved 30 villages throughout the archipelago," ensuring that, at least, one village per municipality will have this maintenance kit, said Marta Guerreiro.
 
The Regional Secretary added that the initiative is directed to "villages whose territories contain water lines that require monitoring as well as the maintenance of cleanliness and normal drainage conditions."
 
In this regard, the government official said “it aims to provide tools to assist Parish Councils in the monitoring and cleaning of water lines, thus promoting a voluntary participation that is complementary to the general goals of the Eco-village programme."
 
The Secretary for the Environment pointed out that, "of 146 villages enrolled in the 2017 edition of the 'Eco-village' programme, 100 enrolled in the 'My Stream' project. The best applications were awarded the kits, which will cover the maintenance of 167.6 kilometres of water lines."
 
"It is important to highlight the relevant role played by the Parish Councils of the archipelago as entities with a relation of proximity to their communities and as link between the actual needs of populations and the development of policies to meet their needs," said Marta Guerreiro. She added that this project is a "winning strategy as it encourages the involvement of everyone in the protection of an environmental heritage that belongs to all of us."
 
The "Eco-village" programme, whose investment surpassed 500 thousand Euros this year, has been running since 2010. It is primarily intended to recognise and distinguish the efforts of local authorities, in collaboration with the population, in the cleaning, removal and recovery of abandoned waste in public spaces, including water lines and coastal areas. Moreover, the initiative also aims to development and encourage the participation of the population in environmental awareness-raising programmes and actions.