In-Loco, headquartered in Querença, in the municipality of Loulé, Terras do Baixo Guadiana, headquartered in Alcoutim, and Vicentina, which represents the municipalities of the southwest and is located in Bensafrim, in the municipality of Lagos, are the three associations that are promoting the CAFÉ projects.

The CAFÉ projects – Empower, Support and Promote Entrepreneurship are funded by the Algarve 2030 Regional Programme and aim to “boost entrepreneurship and promote the creation of qualified employment” in the region, they highlighted.

A seminar is scheduled to be held on May 28th at the Silves Municipal Library to “publicise” the initiative and “the services it offers”, the associations said, with the program expected to be announced soon.

“The projects will take place between April 2025 and March 2027 with actions on the ground in all parishes in the Algarve, and have the following objectives: to train and support young and potential entrepreneurs; to promote sustainable and innovative micro-entrepreneurship; to stimulate collaborative networks and socio-economic resilience; to increase the effectiveness of entrepreneurship support services”, they indicated.

During the two-year period of validity of the Café projects, awareness-raising sessions will be held to publicize support for entrepreneurship or training and qualification actions on topics such as the circular economy, sustainable tourism, social innovation and digital marketing, they pointed out.

Topics such as individualised consultancy and mentoring to support business ideas and business projects will also be addressed, and activities will be carried out to exchange experiences and promote ties between entrepreneurs, said the promoters.

“Seminars and communication campaigns are also planned to publicise the results and involve the community”, the associations added, stressing that the initiative has the collaboration of the Algarve municipalities, the Institute of Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) and professional insertion offices and local associations.

“Promoting associations are non-profit organisations with decades of experience in local development. They work in various areas, from enhancing the value of the territory to training communities and boosting the economy, with a focus on rural areas,” they highlighted.