The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated in Angra do Heroísmo that the Regional Government annually invests about 63 million Euros in the social responses existing in the archipelago, through cooperation agreements signed with various Private Social Solidarity Institutions.
 
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the presentation of the upgrading and expansion project of the Street Entertainment building run by the Cáritas Association - Terceira Island and during the visit to the "Sementes" (Seeds) project that is being developed by this institution. On the occasion, she highlighted the work carried out to promote activities towards youth inclusion.
 
“As this is a 150 thousand-Euro project, its relevance stands out not in financial terms, but rather in terms of the support that Cáritas provides to more than 30 young people in situation of vulnerability and the social support policies we have been implementing in the Region," noted the Regional Secretary.
 
The government official stated that the project intends to transform the building into a space accessible to all and with the conditions suitable for carrying out the activities promoted Cáritas, namely the integrating of young people into the labour world or school, depending on their age group.
 
“This moment clearly demonstrates the dynamics of Cáritas - Terceira Island. In partnership with the Government, it has been developing a wide range of activities in important and structuring areas of the Regional Government's strategy for social policies, particularly as regards childhood and youth policies," stated the Regional Secretary.
 
Andreia Cardoso spoke in the context of the Government's visit to Terceira Island, highlighting that the "Sementes" project stems from the "AQI - Assess, Qualify, Integrate" programme. This initiative, promoted by the Regional Government, aims to make the labour market accessible to people with special needs, namely those with mental illness.
 
The Regional Secretary portfolio stated that the full and inclusive development of children is a priority of the Regional Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, pointing out Cáritas as “a good example of an entity that addresses these strategic areas in early childhood.”
 
According to her, "the Regional Government believes that, based on credible studies, promoting a full and inclusive development involves promoting full accessibility to such important responses as daycare centres."
 
“For this reason, we are committed to the point that we created 720 vacancies in daycare centres throughout the Region between 2013 and 2018, which made enabled this response to reach all the municipalities and reinforce it where it already existed,” said Andreia Cardoso.