There are 2,5 million euros available to support innovative social projects to be implemented in the Algarve. Applications have already opened and will last until April 29th.
This is the second period for the submission of applications in the context of the “Portugal Inovação Social” initiative. The objective is, therefore, to finance projects that respond, in an innovative way, to the social problems and challenges of the Algarve.
All ideas capable of complementing the existing response to the scourges that promote inequalities and social exclusion, through an innovative approach to the problems, are welcome.
The new Auditorium of Solar da Música Nova, in Loulé, was the stage, last Tuesday, 26th of February, for the launch of this new application period.
The session was attended by Filipe Almeida, president of the Portugal Inovação Social Mission Structure, Vítor Aleixo, president of the Loulé Council, and Francisco Serra, president of the Algarve's Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR).
For this second period of applications – the first allocated 1,4 million euros to nine projects in the Algarve – Filipe Almeida also counts on “greater participation” in the Algarve.
"People already know the project, it's more money and we have more investors and sensitized City Councils," he explained to Sul Informação.
In his opinion, «the Algarve has been a good example» in these matters of innovation. “We had nine projects approved, all very creative, interesting and capable of expansion”, he considered.
Some are, for example, a mobile café that moves to the interior of the Algarve mountains to combat the isolation and loneliness of the senior population and potential dementias resulting therefrom, or an application that promotes the civic participation of students in Lagoa.
This is a program that, betting on innovation, is itself innovative. “It is the first to set aside part of the community funds to support social innovation. These instruments that we have are unique in the world», said Filipe Almeida to our newspaper.
For Francisco Serra, this project is important because «only with the participation of society can we improve the conditions of comfort and strengthen the soul of those who suffer».
“In the responsibilities I have, as president of the CCDR, I must work so that these material conditions and comfort can be improved and so that each one of the people in need feel more accompanied,” he added.
Vítor Aleixo, mayor of Loulé, considered, in turn, that it is urgent to “find new answers to old problems”. “Conventional responses are consolidated, but life is dynamic, poses new challenges and it is necessary to innovate,” he said.
Applications close on April 29, and must be made by 18:00 at the Counter 2020. The funding is 70% by the Portugal Inovação Social program and 30% by public or private entities.
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