Government of the Azores opens registrations for "ECO-VILLAGE, Clean Village" programme
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism announced today the opening of applications for this year's edition of the "ECO-VILLAGE, Clean Village" programme, which will run until March 15. As she informed, it will continue to include the "My Stream" and "Clean Coast" projects.
"Today, we announce the rules for this programme and, once again, we expect a significant adherence. Last year, 146 of the 156 Azorean villages submitted their application, thus evidencing the involvement of all in the protection of an environmental heritage that belongs to everyone," said Marta Guerreiro. She spoke at the end of a visit to Ribeira da Conceição stream.
"In 2017, this stream was one of the most beautiful examples in terms of its application and implementation project." According to her, it was the best application submitted under the "My Stream" project on Faial Island.
As for the 2018 budget, the Secretary for the Environment mentioned "the sum of 450 thousand Euros in financial support under the programme, which adds up to the support to the purchase of equipment for the best 'My Stream' projects; the latter has an overall allocation of 60 thousand Euros."
"This programme was created in 2010 and is managed by the Regional Directorate for the Environment. It is primarily intended to encourage villages and their population to contribute to the cleaning and removal of waste from public areas, including streams and coastal areas." Moreover, it also aims to collaborate in "environmental awareness-raising actions so that people may be more attentive to this theme and to the importance of keeping our villages cleaner and more pleasant," said the Regional Secretary.
Marta Guerreiro highlighted the key role of Village Councils on all islands of the archipelago as entities that promote a proximity relation with their communities, establishing a link between the actual needs of the population and the development of polices that meet them.
The winning Village Councils will receive an annual award that consists of a flag and a certificate. Winners are selected through a scoring system according to the environmental quality displayed in their territory as well as the number of cleaning and awareness-raising actions developed.
The villages that have stood out in cleaning and maintenance efforts on each island will be awarded a special prize, consisting of a certificate of excellence and a cash prize.