The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, promotes the project "Music I Can," an initiative organised under the ISA project - Inclusion Through Art, and supported by the European programme "Youth in Action."

The initiative, which began this month and will run for one year, will be developed in partnership with Solidaried’arte Cultural Association and the Bernardo Manuel Silveira Social Support and Shelter Centre (C.A.S.A). The project is expected to cover 66 youngsters from the municipalities of Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande.

The project designated as “Music I Can" uses music, the universal language par excellence, through the creation and promotion of bands and DJs; its action is targeted at youngsters at risk or in situation of social and cultural exclusion.

With this initiative, the Regional Government intends to provide these youngsters with a space for non-formal education/learning, where they can develop their musical, cultural, personal and social skills as well as those that promote integration and the awareness of a national and European citizenship, active and participative.

The project is also intended to be a way of providing youngsters with the opportunity of playing an active role in their process of change and integration and becoming agents of change among their peers, based on the principles of equality, cultural diversity, equity, entrepreneurship and tolerance.