The Regional Youth Directorate has created the Young Merit Award, a new distinction to recognize Madeiran youth for outstanding work in youth and associative activities. The inaugural recipients are Álvaro Teles and Carlos Gouveia, former president and vice-president of the Connected Madeiran Youth Association.
The award provides financial support for the recipients to attend a UN-promoted Summer Academy focused on youth, taking place in Catalonia in September. According to the Regional Director of Youth, André Alves, the two young men were recognized for their contributions in fields such as technology and youth associations.
Alves also stated that the award will be an annual initiative, aiming to empower young people to apply their skills within Madeira or abroad. This year's recipients, who work off-island in aerospace and mechanical engineering, have expressed intentions to return to Madeira in the future to contribute to regional projects.
