Regional Government creates new system for promotion of youth volunteering, announces Berto Messias
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretary Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs, presented in Horta the new youth volunteering platform designated as "You Make a Difference."
"With this new digital platform, we intend to reconcile the easy use of communication and new technologies with the promotion of youth volunteering, as a crucial component to foster the civic participation of young Azoreans," said Berto Messias.
The government official added that the aim is to "involve all young Azoreans by promoting networking and the commitment of young people to the entities that promote volunteer projects."
"The new digital platform allows direct communication between the entities and young volunteers so that entity may choose young people, who, in turn, may sign up for volunteering," added the government official.
According to Berto Messias, this platform will disseminate "volunteer projects promoted by private social solidarity institutions, youth associations, non-governmental organisations or village councils." In this context, he stated that "the project will be presented to these entities," adding that young people may "consult the available projects for which they wish to apply."
"The management of the platform will be carried out by the Regional Directorate for Youth. It will be responsible for monitoring and updating contents as well as for verifying and validating the applications submitted by entities and young people, thus ensuring the rights and responsibilities of each party. Moreover, it will also issue certificates of participation to young people and entities," said Berto Messias.
The areas eligible for volunteer projects are as follows: support for children, the elderly and the disabled; projects in the area of education and literacy; community development; social exclusion; environmental protection; recovery of historical and cultural heritage; protection of animals; ethnic minorities and immigrants; or support for recreational activities; leisure and health.
"You Make a Difference" platform is available at the address https://voluntariadojovem.azores.gov.pt.