Oleiros and Lousã are part of the National Network of Youth-Friendly Local Authorities, an initiative of the National Federation of Youth Associations (FNAJ).
“As a founding member of this pioneering network, this recognition reinforces our commitment to assume youth policies as a matter of priority, responding to the interests and aspirations of young people (natives, residents, and potential residents) of the borough", states Fernando Jorge, Mayor of Oleiros.
The town councillor for Youth, Paulo Urbano, underlines the Network's added value, considering that it is "a platform that, through the synergies created, may leverage an innovative and affirmative approach in the scope of youth emancipation and participation".
Becoming a founding member of this National Network is part of the strategy that the local authority has been developing for Youth, which aims, among other objectives, to attract and retain young people in the county, making it a national exemplar regarding the incentives created.
In this context, the county has intensified the development of programmes and initiatives such as the Young Oleiros Programme and the Youth Participation Budget, etc. The allocation of five thousand euros for each child or house built/acquired, as well as the maximum amount of 25 thousand euros granted to each winning project,for example.
Lousã highlights collaboration
Lousã Town Council also stresses that this membership reinforces its commitment to develop local youth policies, based on collaboration and the sharing of good association and local authority practice. The Summer Internships, promoted by the Council in partnership with ACTIVAR/Espaço J, exemplified the good practice pointed out by FNAJ, at the 1st Meeting of Youth-Friendly Local Authorities.
Access to a national network sharing good municipal practice in matters of youth policies; the creation of synergies, contacts and sharing of privileged information in a select group; priority participation and access to seminars and summits on “Associations and Youth", based on informal education and youth dialogue processes, as well as access to the “Youth-Friendly Local Authority Seal" are some of the advantages of being part of the Network.
