The Regional Director for Youth praised the "Circlusão" project, an initiative promoted by the Circus Arts Association of the Azores - 9 Circos stressing that it is "another example of the excellent work developed by young people in the field of social entrepreneurship."

According to Pilar Damião, this is an "innovative" project that "has encouraged young people, through non-formal education, to apply their knowledge in an experimental context as well as to develop key skills, both on an individual and social level.

The Regional Director spoke on the sidelines of a visit to this project, which is included in the Regional Government's programme - Youth +, highlighting the importance of social entrepreneurship.

For Pilar Damião, young social entrepreneurship should be increasingly regarded as a "strategy designed to optimise the existing human and social resources" with the aim of developing more initiatives, programmes and actions. They will contribute to the sustainable development of the community by "increasing the coordination between production groups and expanding the 'public space' of young citizens."

The 'Circlusão' project is being developed at Canto da Maia Basic Education School in Ponta Delgada. This initiative intends to provide a contribution to the development and integration of youth, through an educational methodology that promotes the acquisition of artistic and social skills as well as skills in writing, reading, calculus and plastic arts.

The promotion of circus arts as a motivating factor that stimulates creativity, concentration, patience, the discovery of the body and the artistic skills of young people is another goal of this project.

The main priorities of the "Youth+" programme are the following: prevent early school dropout, promote the inclusion of youngsters with fewer opportunities, encourage youth volunteering, foster entrepreneurship, improve the employability of youngsters, establish partnerships and promote network integration through international projects.