The Regional Government, through the Vice-Presidency, will allocate more than 283 thousand Euros to 139 projects to be developed in the area of handicrafts, representing an overall investment of more than 518 thousand Euros.

The projects that have applied for the Incentive System for the Development of the Azores Handicrafts (SIDART) in this year’s edition comprise several areas, raining from training to innovation of handicraft products.

For training projects involving a global investment of more than seven thousand Euros, the financial allocation granted under SIDART will exceed 3.8 thousand Euros.

As for the promotion of handicraft sector, an area corresponding to an investment of about 9 thousand Euros, the Government will allocate 4.7 thousand Euros.

For projects promoted by handicraft production units representing an investment of more than 405 thousand Euros, the financial contributions amount to more than 223 thousand Euros.

In regard to the qualification and innovation of handicraft products, the projects involving an investment of more than 103 thousand Euros will receive a financial allocation of more than 55 thousand Euros.

For the Regional Government, handicraft companies are fundamental in the context of the Region's economy, actively contributing to the richness and diversity of its cultural heritage and, therefore, they should be further supported to ensure their sustainability and, consequently, the maintenance of employment in the sector.

SIDART aims to promote the sustainable development of craft activities within the regional economy, through a series of measures designed to reinforce the quality of production and the competitiveness of Azorean handicraft companies.

Accordingly, encouraging the maintenance of craft practices of recognised cultural and economic interest is crucial for the Regional Government. They not only provide a significant contribution to the Region's promotion, but also enrich ethnographic heritage and consolidate cultural diversity as an important factor of tourist attraction.

For more information, those who are interested should contact the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA) at the address http://www.artesanato.azores.gov.pt email address or at the email [email protected].