CCDR celebrates Europe Day with initiatives in Faro and Silves

The Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR), the municipality of Silves, Europe Direct Algarve and the ALGARVE 2030 Regional Program celebrate Europe Day, May 9, with a set of decentralized activities and initiatives that aim, above all, to promote a better understanding of how the European Union shapes everyday life in the region and how we can contribute to this.

This year’s celebrations begin at the CCDR Algarve headquarters, at 9:30 am, in Faro, with the raising of the flag to the sound of the Anthem of Europe, by students from EB1 in Ria Formosa (Faro). This is followed by the inauguration of the exhibition “Pilar of Social Rights of the European Union”, created by the European Commission, promoted by Europe Direct.

At 10 am, in the same location, there will be a presentation of the new Social Inclusion project for vulnerable audiences – “Legos 2.0”, coordinated by MAPS and in conjunction with CASA, GATO and the municipalities. Developed with European funding from CRESC ALGARVE 2020, and now with ALGARVE 2030, this project brings an innovative local approach to social development to the population at risk of social exclusion and homelessness.

On the same day, in Silves, a highlight was the visit to the Silves Municipal Swimming Pools energy efficiency project, developed in partnership with AREAL and co-financed by European funds managed in the region, within the scope of CRESC ALGARVE 2020.

Throughout the afternoon there are also various activities promoted by Europe Direct in conjunction with the municipality of Silves, ending at 6pm, at the Municipal Library of Silves with “Sunset Europa”, which aims to be a participatory space for sharing and reflection on the European project, guided by cultural moments that celebrate a Europe “United in diversity”.

Europe Day was born at the European Council in Milan, on 28 and 29 June 1985, and was celebrated for the first time in 1986, the year in which Portugal and Spain joined the European Economic Community (EEC), as the current one was then called. European Union.

The chosen date refers to the Shuman Declaration of 1950, which advocated the creation of a supranational entity as a step towards guaranteeing peace in Europe and avoiding wars between European countries, the founding bases of what is today the EU.

Throughout the month of May, other initiatives are promoted, with the support of Europe Direct Algarve and CCDR Algarve, highlighting the European values ​​of Peace.