The Economic and Social Council of the Azores (CESA) has emphasized that the success of the Azores’ Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR-Açores) will ultimately be measured not only by the volume of European funds invested, but by their timely execution and their tangible impact on the Region’s economy and society.
Meeting in plenary session on July 10, the Council examined several strategic issues shaping the future of the Autonomous Region, including the implementation of European recovery funds, long-term public financial planning, and policies related to education and vocational training.
A central focus of the meeting was the review of the draft opinion prepared by CESA’s Temporary Specialized Commission for Monitoring the Azores Recovery and Resilience Plan, which analyzed the First Quarter 2026 Monitoring Report for the PRR-Açores.
The session featured the participation of Pedro Dominguinhos, President of Portugal’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan Monitoring Commission, who provided council members with an updated overview of the implementation of PRR-funded investments and reforms following his recent working visit to the Azores. His presentation offered a broader perspective on the current stage of execution, complementing the information contained in the official first-quarter monitoring report.
During the discussion, Council members underscored the strategic importance of the Recovery and Resilience Plan as one of the principal instruments for strengthening the competitiveness of the Azorean economy, modernizing public services, promoting social and territorial cohesion, and financing structural investments essential to the Region’s long-term development.
At the same time, members stressed that the effectiveness of the program depends not simply on the allocation of European resources, but on ensuring that approved projects are completed within established deadlines, that financial commitments are translated into actual payments, and that investments generate measurable improvements for businesses, public institutions, and citizens.
The Council therefore reaffirmed the importance of continuous monitoring of the PRR-Açores, emphasizing that rigorous oversight of implementation and results is essential to ensuring the sound management of European funds while maximizing their economic and social benefits throughout the Region.
Beyond the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the plenary session also examined the draft opinion prepared by the Standing Committee on Economy and Development regarding the proposed Regional Legislative Decree establishing the Multiannual Budgetary Programming Framework for 2027–2030.
Council members highlighted the importance of adopting a long-term financial planning model based on fiscal sustainability, greater predictability in government action, and stronger strategic planning capacity. Such an approach, they argued, would improve the alignment between the Region’s economic and social development priorities and the financial resources available to achieve them.
Education and workforce development also featured prominently on the agenda. The Council reviewed an initiative presented by the Standing Committee on Education and Training focusing on coordinated public action in education and vocational training for individuals facing social and economic vulnerabilities.
Members stressed the need for closer coordination among public institutions, private organizations, and social-sector partners involved in education and workforce development. Particular emphasis was placed on creating more integrated and effective responses for vulnerable youth and adults, preventing school dropout, strengthening vocational pathways, and improving opportunities for social and professional inclusion.
The discussions reflected CESA’s broader vision that sustainable regional development depends not only on public investment and sound financial management, but also on coordinated policies that strengthen human capital, expand educational opportunities, and ensure that economic growth is matched by social inclusion. As the Azores enters a decisive phase in implementing its Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Council reaffirmed that transparent oversight, effective execution, and measurable outcomes must remain at the center of the Region’s development strategy.
In Diário dos Açores-Paulo Viveiros, director, photo also from DA.
