Projects whose priority is to enhance employment and inclusion opportunities, or support institutions in the social, economic and public health areas in the municipalities of Sines and Santiago do Cacém, can apply from today, May 14th, for financial support through EDP Solidária Sines. This social financing program is a result from a partnership between Fundação EDP and EDP Produção, and thus reinforces the set of local initiatives aimed at the development of the region.

Any national entity with a project in these two municipalities will be able to apply for its proposal to EDP Solidária Sines, until next June 30th, through the EDP Foundation - on the website, where in addition to all the information about the initiative (including the regulation), the application form is also available, and must be completed and delivered electronically.

The projects will be evaluated according to a wide list of criteria, among which the social relevance, the human resources assigned to the project, the partnerships and sustainability stand out. Each project selected by EDP Solidária Sines will benefit from financial support up to a limit of 20 thousand euros, within a total amount of 90 thousand euros.

The evaluation of the applications will be guaranteed by a multidisciplinary jury, formed by representatives of EDP Produção, the EDP Foundation, Social Security, the University of Évora and the District Union of Private Institutions of Social Solidarity of Setúbal (UDIPSS). After the selection of the finalist projects, a phase of revision and adjustment of more detailed points of the proposals follows, such as, for example, the clarification of objectives, values, or timetables for the execution and disbursement of support.

Through the EDP Solidária program, the EDP Foundation has already supported several projects in recent years in this region of the country. This was the case of the Oficina Social Móvel, created in 2014 to provide small arrangements in the homes of citizens over 65, residing in Santiago do Cacém, in a more fragile economic situation. Another social inclusion project, promoted by the Cape Verdean Association of Sines, received support in 2016 for the creation of a media library and study room, for children and young people, in an immigrant community in the municipality. And in 2018, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Sines received support from EDP Solidária to replace the windows and improve the thermal comfort of a home for the elderly.

With this new initiative, EDP thus seeks to reinforce its social and economic intervention in the region of Sines and Santiago do Cacém, especially at a time when it is even more important to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the communities. EDP Solidária Sines is one of the actions foreseen within the 'Futuro Ativo Sines', which involves several initiatives for social dynamism, training and entrepreneurship in the territory. One of the most recent is the creation of the Local Social Forwarding Office (GLES) - a partnership between EDP, the Chamber of Sines and the Institute of Employment and Professional Training - and which is operating at Sines Tecnopolo to provide free support to the local population.