By Andrea Hargraves 
The Minister of Culture, Science and Digital Transition of the Government of the Azores, Suset Amaru, announced on Monday, July 26, that the Executive Authority will increase the amount agreed with science centers in the region by 15%.
“The current revision of the protocol represents an increase of about 15% compared to what was previously agreed, and the restoration of the salaries of staff of scientific centers, which were reduced in 2013,” the Azores government says in a press release, without specifying, but the amount involved.
Soset Amaro visited the Santana Astronomical Observatory, in Ribeira Grande, in São Miguel, where he headed the signing of cooperation protocols with scientific centers.
Later, Lusa government official explained that the protocol represented a fixed value of 720 thousand euros.
For this amount of 720 thousand euros, another 96 thousand euros may be allocated, depending on the goals.
In the statement, the regional government, from the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition, adds, “In absolute numbers, the amount allocated to science centers will have a potential 30% increase.”
“Due to the difficult and unstable times it is going through, the regional government has decided to increase its investments in science centers, revealing once again the importance it attaches to enhancing scientific knowledge in the region,” said Sosset Amaru, citing the note from the press.
The government official also announced the launch of RECCA 2030, “the new platform for expression, communication and support” for science centers.
He said that the platform would provide “a good public service in the field of education, training, scientific and technological dissemination and increased participation of civil society in science.”
Lusa / Del