Helena Leal, the Councillor for Youth at the Funchal Municipal Chamber (CMF), emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities for young people to actively participate in the community and exercise their citizenship.
Leal spoke at a session on "Military Service - Citizenship," organized by the Viriatos.14 Association. She highlighted the role of local authorities in promoting civic engagement, stating that "citizenship begins close to the people," and mentioned municipal initiatives like the Volunteer Bolsa and the Jovens em Participação project.
The councillor also argued that youth civic participation should be valued, including in access to merit and study grants, as involvement in civic projects helps develop skills such as responsibility, leadership, and teamwork.
