The European Commission launched a call for proposals this Wednesday worth 1 million euros for young entrepreneurs in the outermost regions of the EU, such as the Canary Islands, as reported by the institution in a statement.
This is the first initiative framed in the new EU strategy for the nine outermost regions (ORs) of the bloc, which are the Canary Islands (Spain), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint Martin (France) and Azores and Madeira (Portugal).
The call for proposals is also the first step of a two-year project, which within the framework of the European Year of Youth 2022 will support "at least 70 actions of young citizens between 15 and 24 years old".
The Community Executive explained that the objective is to support young Europeans in these "vulnerable and remote" regions so that they develop actions "tailored" to their territories to improve the quality of life and economic growth.
The projects will have to be focused on European priorities, such as ecological and digital transitions, socio-economic recovery, equality or inclusion, community authorities specified.
"Young people can be agents of change, entrepreneurs and innovators in their local communities. We need the vision, commitment and participation of young people to build the future of the EU without leaving anyone behind," highlighted the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira.
The Portuguese Commissioner pointed out that the European Commission wants to give young people from the outermost regions of the bloc "an opportunity to build their own future" and design projects that "make a difference in these remote and vulnerable territories".
Brussels presented this Tuesday a new strategy to facilitate investments in the outermost regions in areas such as green and digital transitions, enhance their "unique assets" and reduce the "permanent disadvantages" that affect their development.
In the document, Brussels emphasizes that these islands offer "unique assets" for the EU such as biodiversity and renewable energy sources, but they also face "permanent disadvantages" that hinder their development, such as high youth unemployment.
